Honda Prelude

Pictures and technical features

Models of Honda Prelude years : 1978 1983 1988 1990 1992 1997 2001

Honda Models

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The Honda Prelude is a sports coupe manufactured from 1978 through 2001. The two-door coupe spanned five generations and was discontinued upon the release of the fourth-generation Honda Integra in Japan in late 2001, due to its decreasing sales and popularity. The first generation Prelude was released in 1978, and was the third main model in Honda's modern line up, joining the Civic and the Accord. The Prelude was equipped with a 1751 cc SOHC CVCC I4 engine that produced 72 hp (54 kW) and 94 ft·lbf (127 Nm) of torque with a five-speed manual transmission, and 68 hp (51 kW) with a two-speed automatic called the Hondamatic. In 1980, the two speed Hondamatic was replaced by a modern four-speed automatic
The second generation Prelude was released in 1983 and was initially available with a 1.8-litre 12-valve twin carburettor engine, producing 100 hp (75 kW), and fuel injection was introduced in 1985, in the "Si" models. When the 2-litre 16-valve DOHC engine came out, the bonnet was slightly modified, since the larger engine could not be fitted under the standard bonnet Due to the fairly low weight of the car (1025 kg) and high power (the 16-valve engine produced 137 hp (102 kW)), the car was relatively nimble in comparison to its competitors, which most Preludes had not been up to that time. The third generation Prelude released in 1987 was very similar to the second generation, however it gained four wheel steering on some models. It also came with some body changes that modernized the look. Engines available in the USDM were: in the 1988-1990 2.0S, the B20A3 which is a SOHC 12-valve dual sidedraft carburetted engine displacing 1958 cc that produced up to 104 hp (78 kW) and 111 lb·ft (150 N·m); in the 1988-1991 2.0Si, the B20A5 with DOHC and PGM-FI that increased power to 135 hp (101 kW) and 127 lb·ft (172 N·m), or a slightly-larger B21A1 in 1990 and 1991 described below. The B20A6 was the Australian model: a 2.0 DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine, also 1958cc, producing 142 hp (106 kW) and 127 lb·ft (172 N·m).
In 1992, the fourth generation Prelude was released, after being released in Japan in 1991. The car had a 58% front and 42% rear weight distribution. The four wheel steering system was changed to an electronic version and the engine was increased in capacity from 2.1 litres to 2.2 litres for the base "S" model (SOHC F22A1 engine, 135 hp (101 kW) (101 kW) @ 5200 rpm, 142 ft·lbf (193 Nm) @ 4000 rpm) and "VTEC" model (DOHC VTEC H22a1, 190 hp (143 kW) @ 6800 rpm, 160 ft·lbf @ 5500 rpm), with a less performance-oriented 2.3-litre for the "Si" (DOHC H23A1, 160 hp (115 kW) @ 5800 rpm, 156 ft·lbf (212 Nm) @ 5300 rpm). The VTEC and Si Model had an upgraded brake system, going from a 10.3" front rotor to an 11.1" front rotor, utilizing a larger calliper and brake pad, similar to that from the Acura Vigor. The fifth generation of the Honda Prelude saw enhancements over the fourth generation, including new body styling and handling characteristics. In 2001 the Prelude was discontinued. The 5th generation Prelude marked a return to the body style of the late 1980s (third generation), in an attempt to curb slumping sale of the fourth-generation body style. The fifth-generation was assembled and distributed to many parts of the world, including Japan, UK, US, and Germany, among others. All models and trims stayed within the BB-chassis code (BB5-BB9) and housed either the H-series or F-series engine. Models available to the Japanese market included (engine compression ratio in parentheses): SiR (10.6), Xi (8.8), Si (9.2), SiR S-spec (11.0) and the Type S (11.0). The US received a Base model and Type SH. All fifth generation Preludes came with an H22A except: Xi (F22B), Si (F22B), 2.0i (F20A), Si (F22Z). BB5 was the Xi, and Si-2WS trim. BB6 was the SiR-2WS trim, SiR S-spec, Type S, Base model, Type SH, SE, 2.2 VTi VTEC-2WS trim. BB7 was the Si-4WS trim. BB8 was the SiR-4WS trim, and 2.2 VTi VTEC-4WS trim.
In the fifth generation Prelude, all models with an automatic transmission featured SportShift technology. This 4-speed transmission allowed the driver to manually change gears in a manner similar to the Porsche tiptronic system. Gear selection was enabled by sliding the shifter horizontally from D4, the standard automatic position, to a separate track that allowed the shifter to be pushed forwards or backwards. One version of the fifth-generation Prelude, the Type S, was only available in Japan. It was equipped with the 2.2 l H22A, featuring VTEC and producing 217 hp (162 kW) @ 7200 RPM and 163 lb·ft (221 Nm) @ 6500 RPM. With a compression ratio of 11.0:1, 87.0 mm bore x 90.7 mm stroke and the VTEC-valve timing, lift and duration were adjusted to 12.2 mm intake and 11.2 mm exhaust. Honda also overhauled the air box and replaced it with a more efficient design that is often referred to as Dynamic Chambering, along with a larger throttle body design bored to 62 mm. The exhaust system was also treated to a redesign, with the pipe cross sections becoming more cylindrical rather than oval. Regardless of which model, standard features included power glass sunroof, power heated side mirrors/door locks/windows, green heat absorbing glass, driver's seat height adjustment, air conditioning, AM/FM CD player w/acoustic feedback system and six speakers, cruise control, full analogue instruments, tilt steering, front passenger walk-in seat, fold-down rear seatback w/lock and a 12-volt power outlet. All Preludes had a fuel tank capacity of 60 l.
Stylistically, all versions of Prelude look identical except for the SH's rear spoiler. Compared to the last generation Prelude, the '97 model was designed with sharper edges, more angular lines and vertical headlamps. The cabin designers included tasteful shapes and features, all with a fairly typical Honda flavour. A major, major improvement from 1997 onward was the switch from digital gauges, which in the '96 car were stretched out across the dashboard in an arrangement reminiscent of a '65 Chevy Impala, to easy-to-read conventional instruments sitting in a pod directly in front of the driver. Honda also gave the '97 car a larger trunk with a wider opening at the rear. To enhance cargo-hauling flexibility, the rear seatback of this Prelude folds down and locks. The Prelude shows off excellent straight-line stability for such a small, light car.

Engine:
2.2L 195 hp(97-98) I4
2.2L 200 hp(99-01) I4
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2.0L 135 hp I4
2.3L 160 hp 4
2.2L 195 hp I4

First generation Preludes were modified by a company called Tropic Design, located in Germany. In all, they modified 47 Preludes, most of which were exported to Japan and the US. Very few have remained in Europe, initially all in Germany. Some have been sold over time to nearby countries, at least one to the Netherlands and one to Belgium .Of the fourth generation Preludes, only some 15 were modified into a convertible by German company Honda-Autohaus Manfred Ernst .

Honda Prelude 2001 Honda Prelude concept car picture

Honda Prelude Picture Concept interior 2001 car