by Japanese Owner Found a Way to Improve Honda Prelude Acceleration
An owner from Japan used a specific pedal trick to improve the start of the Honda Prelude. Thanks to this, the acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h decreased from 9.2 to 7.2 seconds in repeated tests. However, even after the improvement, the model turned out to be slower than the Civic Hybrid, not to mention the Toyota GR86.
Expectations and Reality of the New Prelude
The Honda Prelude will soon appear on US roads, and demand for it is high. In Japan, mostly older buyers have made so many orders that some dealers have stopped accepting them. But the question arises whether owners will be disappointed after the test drive. Even the special pseudo-launch control mode does not make the new Prelude very fast.
First Tests and Their Results
A few weeks ago, a video from Japan appeared where an owner recorded an acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h at 9.2 seconds, which caused surprise. It was then assumed that he did not use the launch trick demonstrated for the Civic Hybrid, which shares a powertrain with the Prelude. Honda assures that the Prelude does not have a separate launch control mode, but a combination of pedals gives a similar effect.
Performance Improvement Thanks to an Unofficial Method
The same owner published a new video where he used an unofficial method for a more aggressive start. The result was significantly better – 7.2 seconds to 100 km/h. However, this is still slower than the acceleration time of the 2026 Civic Sport Touring Hybrid, which is 6.2 seconds to 60 mph. The difference may be due to road conditions and driver experience, but getting good results from the Prelude requires effort.
Comparison with Past Models and Competitors
Although the new result is faster than previous tests, it is far from high performance. The former Prelude was famous for its accessible speed, but according to one database, the new model is slower than the 1993 Prelude VTEC, despite the difficulty of launching the old car. In the video, the driver simultaneously uses the brake and accelerator for an optimal start, which reduced the time by almost two seconds.
Criticism and Technical Features
Despite the improvement, the Honda Prelude lags behind competitors such as the Toyota GR86 or even the nine-year-old Audi A3 e-Tron. As Reddit users noted, their Passport has a similar acceleration time, despite being significantly larger in size. The Honda two-door hybrid develops 200 hp thanks to a 2.0-liter engine and a two-motor system, but weighs about 1450 kg, which is heavier than most small coupes and sedans.
Advantages and Future Prospects
On the positive side, the Prelude is equipped with a front suspension with dual geometry, first introduced in the Civic Type R, which promises good handling. Honda is probably betting on nostalgia and fuel economy rather than performance. The question is whether such an approach will be successful in the long term, given buyer expectations for dynamics and market competition.
This situation with the Prelude highlights how priorities are changing in the automotive industry, where environmental friendliness and comfort sometimes displace speed characteristics. For many enthusiasts, it is important to find a balance between modern technologies and classic dynamics, which makes such tests and discussions relevant among car enthusiasts.
