The Prelude Doesn't Need a Manual Transmission

Honda has been making a splash in automotive news lately with the announcement that their Prelude concept will be reaching production. The photos taken by CarAndDriver reveal that the production model will look almost identical to the concept car, which is great because I think it looks fantastic.   The Prelude has been out of production since 2001 and was effectively a sporty coupe that could be daily driven.

Many enthusiasts have been pining for the prelude to return with a manual transmission option, just as it had in the past.  I’ve seen people touting that this car should be a direct competitor to the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ.  However, I think these enthusiasts are missing what Honda is trying to go for here with the new Prelude.

The Prelude in The Flesh (Credit: Hagerty Media)

Now, I could be wrong, but it seems like the Prelude is meant to be a sporty (NOT sports) coupe that owners can use as their daily driver.  It’s meant to have some flavor, sure, but it’s a handsome coupe for young professionals first that also happens to have an injection of connectedness in it.  My money is on Honda positioning this as the car that someone who’s HAD a GR86/BRZ for several years now will want to hop into once they’re ready for something a little more mature and comfortable.  The kind of buyer who still wants something that offers a connected experience to an extent, but with more of an emphasis on a compliant ride and competent dynamics.  It’s for the individual who’s outgrown the 86 and BRZ and still wants a sporty coupe, but in a more mature package.  There’s not really a car that fits this bill on the market, and I think Honda would be smart to fill that niche with the Prelude.

By focusing on only a single transmission option, they can dedicate themselves to making it as great as possible and pass R&D and manufacturing cost savings to the customer to keep prices down.  And since the target market (according to my theory, at least) is someone who wants a more mature and comfortable version of an 86 or BRZ, most buyers would opt for the automatic option.

Who knows, though.  I could be wrong and Honda could be making a manual transmission for the Prelude.  I certainly wouldn’t be complaining if that’s the case, but I won’t be surprised if the production Prelude is unveiled with only one transmission option. That being said, it could just be that Honda is going to do to the Prelude what Acura did to the Integra...

When the Integra was revealed, auto enthusiasts were quick to complain that it didn't live up to the performance heritage of the Integra Type R. Soon after the regular Integra was revealed, the Type S trim was announced.

It's important to remember that not long ago, Acura released a new Integra and people complained that it didn't live up to the Integra Type R of yesteryear. Acura proceeded to silence the detractors by releasing the Integra Type S. It's probable that Honda will follow the same path for the Prelude: The initial release will be a sedate, competent coupe that will be followed up by a more performance-oriented Type S trim down the line. And maybe there will be a stick available for that trim. Auto enthusiasts: Just be patient.