TOKYO: Honda plans to incorporate its new Honda S+ Shift technology into all upcoming hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) models with the next-generation e:HEV system, beginning with the 2025 Honda Prelude.
This development aims to deliver an exhilarating driving experience alongside the fuel efficiency of Honda's hybrid technology.
The e:HEV system combines a highly efficient 2-motor hybrid setup, providing excellent environmental performance while ensuring an engaging driving experience.
By dynamically switching between the motor and engine based on driving conditions, e:HEV achieves outstanding fuel economy without requiring active effort from the driver, delivering responsive handling that aligns with driver inputs.
The newly introduced Honda S+ Shift builds on this foundation, offering an enhanced driving experience that connects the driver more intimately with the vehicle.
It incorporates advancements to the Linear Shift Control system, first seen in the 2020 Fit e:HEV, which now syncs vehicle speed with engine sound to create a more immersive experience.
The Prelude Concept.
S+ Shift controls engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration, providing direct drive response and sharp gear shifts. The Active Sound Control (ASC) system enhances engine sounds, making them more dynamic and in tune with the vehicle's performance, further enriching the driving sensation.
The Honda S+ Shift enables a more responsive and engaging driving experience by linking high-power motors with the ASC system.
This allows for more dynamic engine RPM changes and sharper upshifts. It also adjusts gear shifts according to driving conditions, with the system responding quickly to steering inputs and activating shift hold when necessary.
This ensures precise control and improves the vehicle's handling in various environments.
Although the e:HEV system lacks a traditional mechanical transmission, the S+ Shift allows drivers to shift gears using paddle shifters, mimicking the feel of a conventional transmission.
By maintaining optimal engine RPM, the system enhances the vehicle’s acceleration response, offering a seamless connection between the driver’s input and the vehicle’s performance.
The "S" in Honda S+ Shift reflects the brand’s sports-oriented legacy, while the "+" symbolises the additional value the technology brings, such as synchronisation and heightened driving pleasure.
The Prelude Concept was recently unveiled at the Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show 2024. Malaysia was the first country in Asia outside Japan to see the unveiling of the car.
