Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude is a series of sports coupe that is manufactured by the Japanese car manufacturer – HONDA.  The cars are being launched in the market from 1978 until 2001.  The introduction of the market has replaced the Honda S800, the sports car wherein the engine is locate in front and it is a rear-wheel drive car.  In the course of time, there have been different generation of the series introduced in the automobile market, each of them have different features to accommodate the needs of the consumers.

First Generation

The first prelude was launched last November 24, 1978 with the civic Honda as its base.  It had a four wheel independent struts, brakes and floor pans which had been borrowed from the second generation Civic.  It had held the flagship for the best sports Honda coupe model until the arrival of the Honda/Acura many years later.   Abroad, the Prelude had sold more than it did in its hometown in Japan.  It is a two-door, FWD specialty vehicle and offers a low and wide profile.

Second Generation

The second Honda Prelude was released in the market in 1983 and had been the first Honda car to have pop-up headlights.  It was initially available with an A18A 1.8L 12-valve twin carburetor engine.  The 1983 model was recognizable with its standard painted steel wheels with bright trim rings as most Honda coupe models have.  The rims were optional though.  A “Special Edition” was created in Canada, which was most likely similar to the USA 2.0Si “sport injected” model.  Before another generation was released, a 2-liter, 16-valve DOHC engine came out.  The hood had been slightly modified to accommodate the larger engine.  It also had a European version wherein the rear lights and revised front and rear bumpers were now color-matched.

Third Generation

The third generation Honda Prelude was released in the year 1987.  It had looks like that of the second generation and a little bit of the civic Honda models.  It followed the ideology of the second generation, only this time the third generation was rather more sophisticated.  It was the first car to have the 4-wheel steering system (4WS) feature similar to the Honda CRX.  It also had new external features.  It had the lowest hood line allowing for better visibility of which Honda Sedan was copied.  What had made its way to the hearts of the auto lovers was its capability for fuel economy, lower wind noise, and a greater level of high-speed stability. 

Fourth Generation

In 1992, the fourth Prelude was launched with its new headlight. It had become more stylish, sophisticated and slanted in appearance.  This 1991 Prelude had set the “Prelude Standard” as well.  Air noise at greater speed had been reduced.  The rear end of the Prelude was rounded and the front aspect was higher than the previous released prelude series.  In Europe, a 2.0i model was released with the name VTEC throughout the generation. 

Fifth Generation

The fifth and last generation of Honda Prelude had an independent suspension and a weight distribution of 63/37.  It came out with 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with all-season tires.  The fifth-Prelude marked the return of the third-Prelude with its square body style in an attempt to regain back sales when the fourth-Prelude was released.