Ever since Honda revived the Prelude, enthusiasts have been calling for a manual transmission. However, any remaining hope for a third pedal has now completely disappeared. A senior company official confirmed at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show that there are no plans for a manual, citing incompatibility with the hybrid powertrain. Although we saw this coming from miles away, it is still sad to hear.
Talking to Australians Driving force magazine, Honda’s Large Product Lead Horita Hidetomo explained that the company couldn’t make manual work with the Prelude’s hybrid setup. While it was technically feasible for the CR-Z and even the Insight, that’s no longer the case given the Prelude’s higher level of electrification.
‘The engine [in Insight and CR-Z] was the most important [reason why the manual was available]the hybrid assist function was there. Now the electricity and the engine today is almost half and half, that is the new technology that we are now offering.’
Honda knew from the very beginning that offering the Prelude only with an automatic transmission risked “making the driving itself not very enjoyable,” which is why the car was designed with an S+ Shift driving mode. Alloy paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allow the driver to cycle through simulated gears, complete with virtual rev-matched downshifts and artificial sound through the speakers to recreate the experience of a traditional manual.
Photo by: Honda
The S+ Shift feature won’t remain exclusive to the Prelude, as Honda plans to implement similar artificial gear changes in other hybrids. It simulates an eight-speed transmission, and when the feature is disabled the paddles can be used to adjust the regenerative braking level.
The decision to forego a manual transmission goes beyond mechanical limitations. Hidetomo argued that most drivers no longer want to shift gears: “[It is automatic because] it meets the needs of today.” While that may be true, the Prelude feels like one of those cars that should have a clutch pedal. On the other hand, it’s unclear how fast the recording speed would actually be, so the S+ Shift system might be the best compromise.
Despite initial skepticism that the car wouldn’t sell, the Prelude is off to a strong start in Japan. Honda has already received eight times more orders than its monthly sales target, ahead of the car’s launch in the United States, Europe and other markets. Production is already being increased to shorten waiting times. Time will tell whether this early momentum will continue or fade as the initial enthusiasm wanes.
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Source: Honda
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