THE NEW HONDA PRELUDE: A DEMONSTRATION OF ‘UNLIMITED GLIDE’

• The new Honda Prelude ‘Unlimited Glide’ concept leads a content series celebrating how modern engineering turns dreams into reality
• Inspired by project-leader Tomoyuki Yamagami’s childhood memories of flying radio-controlled gliders, Honda has used the new Prelude to launch a glider into the air
• Deliveries of the eagerly anticipated sixth generation Prelude, featuring a sophisticated hybrid powertrain with its innovative Honda S+ Shift have begun across Europe
• The Honda Prelude, ‘Unlimited Glide’ film launches here

Combining the elegance and performance of modern gliders, with Honda’s ambition to turn dreams into reality through modern engineering, the new Honda Prelude e:HEV sports coupe delivers an advanced hybrid powertrain with its innovative Honda S+ Shift and sleek design to provide drivers and passengers with an ‘Unlimited Glide’ experience.

To bring this unique philosophy to life, as well as to mark the first European deliveries of the model, Honda has launched a real glider into the air using the new sports coupe. With its sustainable, efficient and yet exhilarating 184PS e:HEV powertrain, the Prelude effortlessly towed the glider into the air, requiring nothing more than a specially adapted tow hook. The recounting of this epic story is told in Honda’s new content series, available to explore here. 

Inspired by project-leader Tomoyuki Yamagami, the concept of ‘Unlimited Glide’ was central to the development of the all-new Prelude. During the early design stages, Yamagami-san was motivated by the happy memories of his childhood, when he flew a radio-controlled glider built by his grandfather. Leading a lifelong passion for this graceful way of flying, this experience was a key influence on the design and engineering of the new Prelude.

Yamagami-san's commitment to the concept of ‘Unlimited Glide’ was reinforced when he had the chance to realise his childhood dreams and fly for real as an adult. This experience highlighted his desire to create such close dynamic and design connections between the Prelude and modern gliders.

“It was smooth and clean, yet responsive and dynamic” recalled Yamagami-san. “The blue sky and white clouds from my childhood memories, and the excitement of flying a model glider in the big blue sky, all came flooding back. A glider is an intelligent form of mobility that can fly endlessly, with nature as its ally. This led to the grand concept of ‘Unlimited Glide’, which perfectly suited the Prelude as a new vision of a sports car.”

Through Honda’s belief in engineering the dreams of its customers and engineers, he was able to achieve his goal of a sports car that performed like a glider with long wings, delivering a graceful and effortless experience that meant occupants would never want the journey to end.

Honda Prelude e:HEV - ‘Unlimited Glide’

Through a compelling combination of engaging handling and dynamics, the new Prelude e:HEV offers a driving experience that is reminiscent of acrobatic flying. With its wide and low stance, suspension technology from the Civic Type R, adaptive dampers and the latest version of Honda’s Agile Handling Assist (AHA), drivers and passengers can experience the ‘joy of driving’ which has always been a Prelude trademark.

The new Prelude also features Honda’s full hybrid e:HEV powertrain, developed using more than 25 years of hybrid experience. Pairing a 2.0-litre petrol engine with the brand’s innovative lightweight dual electric motor automatic transmission, the 315Nm motor torque performance system blends exceptional driver exhilaration and a responsive power delivery, with excellent efficiency and superb refinement that evokes the effortless power of glider carried by thermal currents and strong winds.

The glider philosophy extends to the interior, which has been designed to deliver a driver-focused feeling of control and exceptional visibility. Featuring high quality materials and an uncluttered layout, it allows occupants to enjoy the freedom of ‘Unlimited Glide’ during every journey, as well as experience Honda’s commitment to its ‘Your Dreams Engineered’ philosophy.

ENDS