It’s Finally Here! The Honda Prelude has officially launched in PH

It’s the moment a lot have been waiting for. The Honda Prelude has officially launched in the Philippines following months of teasers and a handful of previews to both the general public and select members of the motoring media.

Criticism aside towards what and how it is, the two-door grand touring coupé is one much-awaited car in our market, and presents itself as the newest halo model of the Japanese automaker, especially now that the popular FL5 Honda Civic Type R has been discontinued.

Okay, so what’s there to talk about with the Honda Prelude here in the Philippines?

We pretty much already know how this looks, staying true to the concept version, which was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show 2023. It wears a sleek profile all over its exterior with clean lines and slim headlights and taillights, and a fastback rear profile. 

Its interior should also look very familiar as it shares design similarities with most of Honda’s newer products today, particularly its honeycomb-patterned horizontal air vents. Despite the family resemblance, the Prelude is well set apart from other Honda products inside by its two-tiered dashboard design with suede-covered accents, raised center console, and sport-style bucket seats.

Standard equipment for the Philippine-spec version are full LED exterior lighting, active cornering lights, 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels, Brembo Brakes with blue calipers, front two-tone leather seats and black fabric rear seats, manual seat adjustment, a 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Automotive Services (GAS) and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Available exterior colors for the Honda Prelude are Rallye Red, Racing Blue Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and for an additional Php 35,000, the exclusive Moonlit White Pearl. The interior is finished in a mix of Blue and White, and Black.

Under the hood of the Honda Prelude is the brand’s e:HEV hybrid powertrain, derived from the Civic RS e:HEV. It’s the combination of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that runs on the Atkinson Cycle, paired to dual electric motors—a traction motor and generator—and a lithium-ion battery. The engine on its own produces 141 horsepower and 182Nm of torque, while its electric motor produces 184 horsepower and 315Nm. 

By now you probably know that the system is mated to an E-CVT that features Honda’s S+ Shift system, providing simulated gear shifts that mimic an actual torque converter transmission for a more engaging driving experience. It also features Active Sound Control that provides an enhanced engine sound through the vehicle’s audio speakers.

Just like the Civic Type R and the Civic RS e:HEV, the Prelude also features four selectable drive modes. Here, there’s the usual Comfort and Sport modes, along with an Individual mode that allows for driving customization. Unique to the Prelude is a GT mode.

It’s also equipped with a new Coasting Control feature that can be activated through the paddle shifters, allowing the car to coast to a stop without regenerative braking, providing improved fuel economy.

Just like almost every other Honda on the local market today, the Prelude is also equipped with the full suite of Honda SENSING advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). This gives it adaptive cruise control with low speed follow, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, road departure mitigation, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lead car departure notification, and adaptive headlights.

And for its price, a subject of much criticism for the grand tourer, it goes for Php 3,498,000. Customers will also be able to take advantage of HCPI’s new extended warranty, which is now up to five years or 150,000km (vehicle warranty) and up to eight years or 160,000km (battery warranty).

What do you think of the Honda Prelude, and is it a worthy spiritual successor to the Civic Type R as it takes over as the Japanese automaker’s new halo product?

^{Photos from Honda, Wowie Go, Julian Panlilio, and Sam Surla}