Page 114 - Car South Africa (February 2020)

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starter classic

Honda Prelude Coupé (1992–‘99)

This sporty coupé fuses style with dependability

By: Peter Palm PeterPalm12

Model: Honda Prelude VTi-R 0 to 100 km/h: 7,69 sec Top speed: 226 km/h Fuel index: 11,27 L/100 km
Price: R193 000 CAR test: January 1998 Other road tests: Honda Prelude 2,2 Si (May 1995)

Rivals to the Prelude in the 1990s 192 litres of luggage for the earlier The 1998 model introduced
included the Mazda MX-6 and version and 264 litres for the VTEC in its transverse four with
Saab 900 three-door. newer. A ski hatch was added for d-o-h-c replacing s-o-h-c, plus
longer items and a sunroof was variable valve timing and lift.
PACKAGING tted as standard on the last mod- This boosted power to 143 kW at
Both Prelude models feature big el. Double wishbone suspension 7 000 r/min alongside 212 N.m
bodies without much bene t to was used both front and rear. at 5 300 r/min. The cars were all
e are limiting discus- interior room. Front seating in front-wheel drive and the manual
sion on the Honda grippy cloth provided good side POWERTRAIN gearbox proved slick.
W Prelude to the last support while the rear seats were The rst Prelude, tested in 1995,
two versions: the fourth and fth moulded for two without offering had to forego the brand’s VTEC en- WHICH ONE TO GET
generations. Earlier models were a wealth of leg- or headroom, so gine due to fuel-quality concerns. Some may prefer the styling of
available from 1984 to ‘91 using they were not suitable for adult It nevertheless had 98 kW with the older model but the additional
1,8-litre and 2,0-litre engines. transport. The boot can accept 186 N.m delivered at 4 000 r/min. power of the later VTi-R will no

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