The new Honda Prelude does not come with a manual, but it could be fake

Honda engineers look for ways to make the two-door coupe more fun to drive than the mechanically related Civic e:HEV

The gearbox of the upcoming Honda Prelude has become a hot topic of discussion lately. It was initially believed to have a continuously variable automatic (CVT), but then rumors of a manual transmission surfaced, which was then immediately discontinued. Now, the latest rumors indicate that Honda may be preparing a simulated manual for the hybrid coupe, with the aim of injecting a little more driving fun into the mix.

Before we dive into this “simulated manual” scenario – which sounds like an awkward compromise between the boring CVT and an endearing manual transmission – let’s take a closer look at what Honda officials have said that led to all this speculation.

More: New Honda Prelude Coupe spied, doesn’t have a manual after all

The new Prelude will share features with the Civic, including the hybrid powertrain, making the CVT the obvious choice. However, Japanese publication Dear car web stirred the pot by suggesting that Honda is considering dropping a six-speed manual transmission from the ICE-only Civic RS. It was a juicy tidbit, but reality quickly caught up.

Honda responds to rumors

A few weeks later, MotorTrend spoke with Shinji Aoyama, Honda’s Global Executive Vice President, who made it clear that the Prelude will not get a conventional manual. But here’s where things get interesting: Aoyama also hinted that the Prelude is “designed to shift differently” than the Civic, with drivers expected to feel and hear the downshifts. There’s also speculation that Honda could beef up the e:HEV system with a more powerful electric motor, hinting at improved performance over the Civic hybrid.

Chief engineer and project leader Tomoyuki Yamagami explained later Coach that ‘driving pleasure’ is a top priority for the team behind the new Prelude, as the public has high expectations of a coupe. When asked about the three-pedal rumors, Yamagami replied, “That’s very difficult to answer.” However, he did reveal his personal affection for manual transmissions, admitting that he would like to see this in the Prelude, making it “a really fun vehicle to drive.”

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Manual hybrid history

Honda is no stranger to manual hybrids either (remember the discontinued CR-Z?), but the new Civic’s e:HEV lineup is a different story. It’s a system that’s tricky enough on its own, let alone adding a traditional manual to it. CVT still seems like the safe bet here.

Still, the combination of these semi-contradictory statements and facts suggests that Honda could explore ways to create a manual driving feel without all the tech fuss. With a simulated manual, Honda could keep the hybrid’s core mechanics intact while providing a driving experience that’s more engaging than your regular CVT.

More: Toyota to debut manual transmission for electric vehicles in 2026

Simulated manuals are quickly becoming a trend, especially for automakers trying to keep car enthusiasts on side as EVs take over. Take the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for example, which mimics manual shifting with fake sounds and artificial shifting. Toyota and Lexus are also active in this area. So it wouldn’t be surprising if Honda got on board with their own flavor of simulated driving fun.

Interestingly enough, a post on Reddit suggests that the idea of ​​a simulated manual was put forward by an Australian publication Wheels magazine more than five months ago, although the published article does not appear to cite a source.

Not just any civilian clone

In an interview with Car guide last year, Yamagami admitted that the Honda Prelude “won’t be the sportiest, fastest car to be thrown on the circuits.” But don’t let that downplay the intrigue. Based on all this information, it’s clear we’re not looking at an everyday two-door Civic e:HEV. The Prelude’s sharper looks and promises of a more engaging driving experience suggest Honda is trying to make it attractive to a more discerning, enthusiast-driven audience.

The countdown to 2025

All our burning questions will be answered sometime in 2025, when the production version of the Honda Prelude is expected to be unveiled. Judging from the spy shots, the final version will hew closely to the concepts that teased it, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

SH pro shots