1997 Honda Prelude

The front-drive Prelude sports coupe long has been Honda's technological testbed and has alternated between being zoomy and conservative.

For 1997, we get a revamped Prelude with more refinement and understated styling more likely to appeal to the conservative, late-1990s crowd. But the car also offers greater technical sophistication and sharper moves.

Help is desperately needed. Prelude sales have suffered from a slumping sports coupe market and defection to sport/utility vehicles. Prelude sales dived from 79,708 units in 1986 to only 12,517 in 1995.

Honda hopes the 1997 Prelude, which is its only significantly new car, finds up to 20,000 buyers next year.

The longer, taller, stronger Prelude is roomier, although the rear seat still is mostly for kids. This fifth-generation Prelude also is more powerful and has improved handling. It retains plenty of luxury and convenience items.

The Prelude, which I recently tested, will be offered in base and higher-line Type SH models. Prices won't be released until the car goes on sale in a few weeks, but Honda says it will cost approximately $23,000 to $26,000.

That sounds fair, considering that the much-improved car's standard items include improved anti-lock brakes, a new air conditioning system, power sunroof, cruise control, advanced acoustic-feedback AM/FM/CD sound system, new anti-theft system and power windows, locks and mirrors.

The SH, which only comes with a five-speed manual transmission, adds a firmer suspension, rear spoiler, distinctive alloy wheels and leather-covered shift knob.

The Prelude pioneered Honda items that lasted, including anti-lock brakes and power-enhancing variable valve timing. It also featured items that flopped, such as four-wheel steering.

Prelude pioneer features for 1997 are a four-speed automatic transmission with a Sequential SportShift that allows a driver the option of clutchless manual shifting, and an Active Torque Transfer System, which redistributes power to the front wheels for more responsive handling when cornering.

The SportShift, which only is offered for the base model, works beautifully in the manual mode. The transmission also shifts nicely if you feel lazy and leave it in the fully automatic mode.

The Active Torque Transfer System is offered only for the SH. Most drivers will never even know it's there because the Prelude has superb handling with its base suspension. And that race-style, double-wishbone, all-independent suspension has been improved for 1997.

Both Preludes have the same 195-horsepower four-cylinder (190 horsepower with automatic transmission). That's good power output, thanks to items such as dual overhead cams, 16 valves and variable valve timing.

But the engine still is rather small for the 3,000-pound Prelude, and you must floor the throttle a lot to get the best performance. Some will like the the howling sound when the engine is pushed, while others will wish for a bigger, quieter motor.

In any case, nobody will run you over in the new Prelude. It does 0-60 m.p.h. in a quick 7.4 seconds and can reach 140 m.p.h. As for miles per gallon, figure on the low 20s in the city and high 20s on highways.

The Prelude has less noise, vibration and harshness and remains a joy to drive. The redesigned power steering is quick and accurate, and the improved suspension results in better straight-line and braking stability, more-responsive handling and a smoother, quieter ride.

Braking modulation has been improved, and a new compact anti-lock braking system is more efficient and provides a finer degree of control.

Thank goodness Honda replaced the awkwardly designed old instrument panel with a sensible, easily read one. Superbly bolstered front bucket seats give great support during spirited driving, and a larger glass area results in better visibility.

The new Prelude is one of those cars that makes a person feel like a better driver than he really is. That, alone, should help boost sales next year.