2001 Honda Prelude Remains a Favorite Among Driving Enthusiasts

With its sleek styling, advanced engine technology and excellent handling, the 2001 Prelude is an ideal sports coupe for drivers who want to experience the exciting characteristics of Honda’s prestigious motorsports tradition.

A favorite of automotive enthusiasts, the Honda Prelude has the highest brand loyalty of any Honda product. About 75 percent of all Prelude buyers have previously owned a Honda or Acura product.

The Prelude’s 2.2-liter, VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) engine generates 156 foot-pounds of torque. As a result, the DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) 4-cylinder offers 200-horsepower with a standard manual transmission and 195-horsepower with a 4-speed automatic.

An optional feature on the Prelude with automatic transmission is Sequential SportShift, combining the hands-on excitement and performance of a manual transmission with the effortlessness and driving convenience of an automatic.

New for 2001, child safety seat tether anchors have been added to the rear seats of the Prelude. In addition, an emergency trunk opener and floor mats are standard on all 2001 Preludes.

Highlighting Honda’s Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS), the Prelude Type SH decreases vehicle understeer while cornering by regulating power to the front wheels during turns to supply virtually neutral handling characteristics. Using a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission, the SH driver is given complete influence over the high-output 2.2-liter engine.

The Prelude is designed with energy-absorbing front and rear crush zones. The Prelude also features dual airbags, impact-absorbing front and rear bumpers, energy-absorbing steering column and instrument panel, and three-point seatbelts.

Standard equipment on all Prelude models include 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system (ABS); power windows, mirrors and door locks; remote keyless entry system; alloy wheels; cruise control; air conditioning with micron filter; power moonroof with tilt feature; adjustable steering column; a height adjustable driver’s seat; 12-volt power outlet; and front and rear cup holders.

Providing exceptional sound quality, the 2001 Prelude’s 6-speaker, AM/FM/CD stereo system is outfitted with a 120-watt Acoustic Feedback (AFB) System. AFB provides its outstanding sound quality by using small built-in microphones in the rear speakers to sample ambient cabin sound, measure it against the original electronic signal and adjust for any distortion.

Both “Electron Blue” and “Satin Silver” have been added to the Prelude’s exterior color pallet. The 2001 Honda Prelude will reach showrooms in mid-September 2000.

 

Designed to be an aggressive sports coupe with superior handling, the Prelude is intended to appeal to drivers who will appreciate its high level of performance and refinement. Specific areas of improvement include enhanced handling, greater technical sophistication, more storage and utility and enhanced safety.

The Prelude is available in two models: Prelude and Prelude Type SH. Both use the same 195-hp (190 hp on A/T model) DOHC VTEC engine with Honda-designed variable valve timing.

The Prelude Type SH also features an innovative Active Torque Transfer System that enhances handling precision.

SPORTS-COUPE STYLING
Stylistically, this latest Prelude is a classic coupe, with separate engine, passenger and cargo areas. The car’s strongly raked character line and 16-inch wheels give it an aggressive stance. The front end features large, distinctive free-form reflector headlights. They have greater light output, beam width and range and also serve to distinguish the Prelude from other cars on the road. A power-operated moonroof is standard, as are alloy wheels. The Type SH version also adds a rear spoiler.

ROOM
The interior is comfortable and exhibits typical Honda attention to ergonomic details. Large, easy-to-read analog gauges sit in a pod, directly in front of the driver.

A locking, full fold-down rear seatback increases the Prelude’s cargo-carrying capacity and utility.

AFB SOUND SYSTEM
An innovative acoustic feedback stereo system actually samples the speaker output and corrects for distortion. The result is improved music response at all frequencies and listening levels. The system is exclusive to Prelude in its class.

SECURITY SYSTEM
An Immobilizer security system with a special key incorporating a digital security code greatly reduces the likelihood of the Prelude being driven away by a thief.

The Prelude VTEC engine has extensive noise and vibration countermeasures in the exhaust and intake system, engine stiffeners, a cast-aluminum oil pan and internal components.

TRANSMISSIONS
4-speed automatic transmission with a Sequential SportShift is available for the Prelude. Sequential SportShift allows the driver to shift up and down through the gears sequentially, like a racing car gearbox.

ACTIVE TORQUE TRANSFER SYSTEM
An innovative, Honda-developed handling system called Active Torque Transfer System (ATIS) is standard on the Prelude Type SH. This system actually redistributes power to the drive wheels, thereby altering the Prelude’s yaw (turning) rate. The result is responsive, neutral handling characteristics when cornering.

INTERIOR PACKAGING AND DESIGN
The Prelude interior is upholstered and trimmed in black fabric and vinyl (a two-tone black and ivory version is standard on the Eucalyptus Green Pearl Prelude.

Front door and rear side linings have been redesigned so that they have a deaner, more luxurious look and a beverage holder is incorporated into the left rear-seat armrest. In addition, they incorporate side-impact protection.

INSTRUMENT PANEL
The designers of the Prelude wanted to improve the ease of operation, quality and appearance of its instruments and controls. The instrument panel is completely new and has a sportier, more performance-oriented look. Sight lines to all controls and instruments are direct and unobstructed. All essential gauges, meters and warning lights are grouped in a central pod, directly in front of the driver. A side-by-side, full-circle tachometer and speedometer dominate the center of the pod and are flanked on either side by the coolant and fuel gauges. The Sequential SportShift gear-indicator light is located in the tachometer face. The directional signal lights, brake warning light, SRS status light, high-beam indicator, check engine light and seat-belt reminder are also located in the instrument pod. The instrument-panel visor extends farther out over the panel to help minimize glare.

The heating and ventilation controls are located high in the center console, where they can be easily reached by the driver. The 12-volt power outlet and stereo are also in the center console. The console is sloped, rather than vertical-faced, making access to the lower part easier. Below the AM/FM stereo is a space that will accept additional equipment, such as a hands-free cellular phone or CD player.

Power-window and power-mirror adjustment switches are now located in the drivers-door armrest. The inside door-latch handles have a larger radius, so that they can be easily grasped. A coin bin, cruise-control master switch, powermoonroof switch and panel dimmer are located just to the left of the steering wheel. As with the previous Preludes, the directional signal, headlight and wiper/washer controls are located on convenient stalks on either side of the steering wheel.

The steering wheel is a four-spoke design, incorporating a driver’s-side airbag SRS. Cruise-control buttons are conveniently located on the steering wheel. The steering column is also adjustable for height.

The front-seat hip points have been raised 0.4 inches (10 mm) and a manual height adjustment on the driver’s seat has a 1 inch (25 mm) range of adjustment.

All front and rear seating positions have retractable 3-point seat belts. The inboard front seat-belt anchor moves with the fore and aft adjustment of the seat, which makes for a better, more comfortable fit.

ENTRY AND EXIT
Two-door sports coupes, like the Prelude, can be difficult to get in and out of in parking lots, where it may be parked next to another vehicle. To improve accessibility in this area, Honda engineers redesigned the door opening area. When the door is opened 19.6 inches (500 mm, about the distance a driver would be able to open it in a cramped parking space) there is a 3.34-inch (85 mm) wider opening (measured from the side of the Prelude and the outer end of the door).

STORAGE SPACE
A large, locking bin-type glove compartment and a passenger’s-side airbag SRS are located in the right side of the instrument panel, just in front of the passenger’s seat. The glove-box capacity has been significantly increased (0.2 cu.ft.). Map pockets are incorporated into the front doors.

The center armrest incorporates a large two-level storage console. The upper level has a tray for small items, such as sunglasses, cards, etc., and also has two adjustable beverage holders. The upper tray is hinged and can be lifted for access to the larger lower storage compartment. An elastic strap built into the underside of the storage-bin lid will hold a garage door opener.

ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
An lmmobilizer anti-theft system is standard on the Prelude. The system uses an Immobilizer control unit that disables the fuel-injection/ignition Electronic Control Unit (ECU). When the driver inserts the ignition key, the Immobilizer control unit interrogates a transponder in the ignition key with a radio frequency signal transmitted using the steering column lock as an antenna.

If the digital code stored in the ignition key matches the code stored in the Immobilizer control unit, then the unit enables the ECU and starter circuit.

A new digital code (“rolling code”) is randomly selected every time the system is used. In addition, the system’s short operating range gives further protection against scanners. An indicator lamp on the instrument panel lets the driver know that the immobilizer system has accepted the key.

HONDA ACOUSTIC FEEDBACK SOUND SYSTEM
The 130-watt (25 watt x 2 front–40watt x 2 rear), AM/FM Acoustic Feedback Sound System offers improved frequency response and less distortion. The system uses a microphone built into one of the rear speakers to sample the sound in the cabin. Then it compares the original electronic signal in the amplifier to the sampled sound. If it detects any distortion, it automatically corrects the electronic signal to compensate for it.

The antenna is built into the rear window, thereby eliminating the need for a fender-mounted antenna mast, with its additional complexity, vulnerability and wind noise.

COUPE STYLING
The Prelude features classic 2+2 sports-coupe styling. The overall look is refined and aggressive, with traditional Honda styling details such as, a low hood and cowl and high rear deck. At the front end, large free-form reflector headlights are set in a low, sloping hood and sharply tapered nose. When viewed from the side, the low hoodline continues back as the beltline, rising steadily to the end of the trunk, giving the Prelude an aggressive, raked stance. The broad, flat sides create a substantial look. The roof has thin roof pillars, expansive glass area and elegant C-pillars. Body-colored, 5-mph bumpers are standard.

Sixteen-inch alloy wheels are standard. Their open-spoked design and greater size contribute to the Prelude’s aggressive stance and enhanced handling characteristics.

FREE-FORM REFLECTOR HEADLIGHTS
The Prelude’s distinctive stacked, free-form reflector headlights have separate low and high beam elements that throw a wider, brighter light-distribution zone, compared to its predecessor. The new units’ low beams are 60% brighter (approximately 400 lumens), and the high beams are 10% brighter (approximately 800 lm). In addition, they have over 6 feet (2 meters) wider beam pattern at 65 feet (20 meters)–ranging out to 131 feet (40 meters) on the driver’s side–and almost 32 feet (10 yards) greater reach (approx. 278 feet [85 yards]).

VERSATILE CARGO AREA
The Prelude has a larger trunk, with nearly a cubic foot more storage capacity. At its widest point, the trunk opening is 7.8 inches (200 mm) wider, which makes loading and unloading easier. When open, the lids shorter vertical section provides more clearance for a person’s head as they lean into the trunk to load or retrieve cargo. A full-width fold-down rear seat adds more versatility to the cargo area and takes the place of the previous models pass-through.

PAINT AND CORROSION PROTECTION
Approximately 90% of all the sheet steel in the Prelude is galvanized. Surfaces that are exposed to moisture on both sides, such as the quarter panels, doors, fenders and hood, are galvanized on both sides.

The longitudinal weld flange running the length of the side sill is outboard of the sill, rather than directly underneath where it would be exposed to dirt and moisture. In addition, the entire lower surface of the sill is protected by a plastic rocker-panel cover. Additional advantages of this design include a cleaner appearance and protection from chipping by rocks and gravel.

The painting process used on the Prelude involves first cleaning and degreasing each body, followed by immersion in a zinc phosphate bath that forms a tough, corrosion-resistant coating and improves primer adhesion. The body is then immersed in a soluble, electro-deposited primer (Cationic deposition).

To prevent dust and moisture from accumulating in critical areas, special sealants are applied to crevices and seams in the body. Next, areas of the body that are susceptible to stone and gravel damage are coated with a special anti-chipping primer. Following this, an intermediate primer coat is applied, followed by either a polyester-resin or acrylic-resin top coat. Metallic and pearlescent paints also receive an additional clear coat.

HONDA PRELUDE EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
WHEELBASE: in. (mm)	101.7 (2,585)
LENGTH: in. (mm)	178 (4,520)
WIDTH : in. (mm)	69.0 (1,752)
HEIGHT: in. (mm)	51.8 (1,315)
WEIGHT: lbs. (kg.) MT	2,954 (1,340)

INCREASED STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY
Increasing the structural rigidity of the Prelude body helped Honda engineers achieve several important design goals: The attendant increase in torsional and bending resistance yields gains in both ride comfort and handling precision.

Increased rigidity helps reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). Lastly, by carefully engineering the placement and design of areas of reinforcement, Honda engineers were able to enhance the Prelude body’s ability to manage impact energy.

Honda engineers have designed the Prelude body so that it efficiently distributes forces over a broad area. Points which are subject to high loading (suspension pick-up points, impact points, etc.) feature larger cross sections, thicker materials and broad, multiple load paths. For example, the sheet-metal thickness of the front shock-absorber mounting points was increased. The longitudinal, upper members in the front subframe are larger, use thicker sheet metal and have additional welds. The side-sill area was redesigned and additional welds were specified. The rear bulkhead was reinforced with thicker side panels and the rear floor was reinforced with an additional upper cross member. The steering-column support extends from A-pillar to A-pillar.

Together, these changes account for a 55% increase in bending rigidity, a 24% increase in torsional rigidity and a significant increase in handling precision, stability, ride comfort and steering feel.

BODY NVH
NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) reduction goals for the body centered around road noise and idle vibration. In order to reduce road noise, Honda engineers have reinforced the upper rear A-arm. The new plate effectively attenuates road noise around 250 Hz.

A further reduction in road noise in the mid to high range was realized by doubling the sheet metal in the rear-wheel housing, with melt-sheet sandwiched in between. Urethane foam sound blockers were placed inside the C-pillars and base of the A pillars, and high-density sound-absorbing sheets are used inside the rear side panels and base of the C-pillars. In addition, a thicker carpet was specified for the cargo-area floor. The new carpet is a sandwich of high-density asphalt felt and PVC with a carpet facing.

Engine-idle vibration transmitted to the body (especially steering vibration) has been reduced by approximately 10 dB. Thicker steel is used in the side sills. On automatic transmission-equipped models, an additional stiffener was added. A lower crossmember was added to the instrument panel. A larger and thicker crossmember (the forward bulkhead at the front subframe) was specified. The cross section of the longitudinal upper member (above the wheel housing) was increased. Thicker steel is used at the base of the A-pillars and thicker metal is used in the crossmember that runs under the middle of the passenger compartment. Also an A-pillar-to-A-pillar steering-column hanger and bracket is used.

A rubber-suspended steel mass, called a dynamic damper, has also been installed just behind the front bumper (the Accord has a similar damper built into its bumper). The damper accounts for an approximately 5 dB reduction in lowfrequency vibration at idle.

Engine and exhaust vibration has been further minimized by new rubber mountings, relocated muffler brackets and relocating the flexible joint that connects the exhaust header to the exhaust pipe.

SAFETY
Honda engineers reinforced key areas of the Prelude body for greater strength and enhanced energy management in a collision, including stronger A-pillars, stronger side sills, stronger roof sides, stronger B-pillars and reinforced front and middle floor crossmembers.

The Prelude meets or exceeds the following impact-related federal standards:

• Full-frontal barrier impact at 30 mph (Honda tests at 35 mph)
• Angled-frontal (30 degrees right and left) barrier impact at 30 mph
• Offset-frontal barrier impact
• Current 30-mph side-impact standards
• U.S. government side-impact standards (33.5-mph angled impact)
• Full-rear impact at 30 mph (Honda tests at 35 mph)

Some of the side-impact protection measures taken include:

• Dual side-impact beams in each door
• Energy-absorbing side-impact protection (hip-level) built into the front-door lining and an energy-absorbing pad built into the rear passenger-compartment sides (shoulder-level)
• The steering-column support is now a reinforced bracket that extends all the way across the front of the vehicle, frum A pillar to A pillar
• A highly rigid body

2001 Honda Prelude Prices and EPA Data