The announcement marks the end of long-standing hopes among driving purists who had wished to see a manual option in the revived model. While earlier hybrids like the CR-Z and Insight were able to accommodate manuals, Honda says the new Prelude represents a different kind of electrification—one that no longer allows for traditional gear-shifting.
For Honda, the decision is both a technical and strategic pivot. The Prelude returns at a moment when electrification is no longer just a trend, but a core direction for performance vehicles. This new hybrid model embodies that shift, aiming to blend sporty legacy with modern technology. But the absence of a manual transmission raises important questions about how driving engagement will be preserved—or redefined—in the electrified era.
Hybrid Architecture Incompatible With Manual Gearboxes
According to Motor1, Horita Hidetomo, Honda’s Large Project Leader, clarified that a manual transmission is mechanically incompatible with the level of electrification now present in the Prelude. “The engine [in Insight and CR-Z] was the main one… Now the electricity and the engine is nearly half and half,” he explained to Australia’s Drive magazine during the show.
In previous models, the gasoline engine played the dominant role, allowing engineers to include a manual gearbox without compromising the hybrid assist functions. That’s no longer the case. The Prelude’s drivetrain reportedly features a much deeper integration between the electric and combustion systems—one that doesn’t allow space for traditional gearboxes to operate effectively.
This limitation reflects a broader shift within Honda’s hybrid strategy. As power delivery becomes increasingly split between electric motors and combustion engines, the room for mechanical intervention through manual shifts has essentially vanished.
S+ Shift Mode Offers Synthetic Engagement
To counter the loss of manual control, Honda has implemented a new driving feature called S+ Shift. It uses simulated gear changes, paddle shifters, and artificially generated rev-matching sounds to mimic the feeling of a traditional manual gearbox. The idea was to ensure that “the driving itself [is] not very enjoyable” wouldn’t become a reality for enthusiasts.
The S+ Shift system emulates an eight-speed transmission and provides virtual downshifts through the car’s speakers. It’s a layered approach: not only can drivers feel like they’re changing gears, but the paddles also allow adjustment of regenerative braking when the simulation is turned off.
Honda has stated that this feature will not be exclusive to the Prelude. It’s part of a broader strategy to bring simulated driving experiences to its next generation of hybrids, in an effort to maintain a sense of driver connection even as mechanical interfaces disappear.
Market Response Exceeds Expectations
Despite early skepticism about whether a hybrid-only Prelude without a manual option could generate excitement, Honda’s initial sales figures in Japan suggest a strong demand. The automaker has already received eight times more pre-orders than its initial monthly sales target.
This demand has prompted Honda to ramp up production ahead of the Prelude’s upcoming launches in the United States, Europe, and other global markets. The company appears confident that its blend of legacy styling, hybrid technology, and simulated driving engagement is enough to satisfy a wide range of buyers.
Still, the absence of a manual option remains a sticking point for a segment of Honda loyalists. Even Hidetomo acknowledged that while the automatic setup “satisfies the needs of today,” it might not speak to everyone’s expectations—especially those nostalgic for what the Prelude once represented.
