Honda Prelude Si 4WS

Honda Prelude Si 4WS

The third-generation Honda Prelude Si 4WS, produced from 1987 to 1991, was one of the most technologically advanced cars of its era and introduced a groundbreaking feature that would influence automotive engineering for decades: mechanical four-wheel steering. The system made the Prelude a genuine engineering milestone and demonstrated Honda's willingness to bring race-car technology to affordable consumer vehicles.

Honda's 4WS system was an elegant mechanical solution that used a steering shaft extending the full length of the car to a rear steering rack. At low speeds, the rear wheels turned in the opposite direction to the fronts, effectively shortening the car's turning circle and making parking and tight maneuvers dramatically easier. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turned in the same direction as the fronts, improving stability during lane changes and high-speed cornering. The transition between counter-phase and in-phase steering was progressive and intuitive, controlled purely by steering angle rather than electronics.

The B20A5 DOHC engine was a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four producing 145 horsepower — competitive for the era and delivered with Honda's characteristic smoothness and willingness to rev. The engine featured a pentroof combustion chamber design and individual throttle-controlled intake runners that optimized airflow across the RPM range. Mated to a precise 5-speed manual transmission, the powertrain delivered engaging performance without the maintenance complications of turbocharging.

The chassis was equally sophisticated. Double wishbone suspension at all four corners was a feature usually reserved for sports cars costing several times as much, and the Prelude's geometry was carefully optimized for both comfort and dynamic capability. The car's low center of gravity — the Prelude stood just 1,295 mm tall — combined with the 4WS system to create handling that was remarkably agile and communicative for a front-wheel-drive coupe.

The styling was quintessentially late-1980s Honda: clean, aerodynamic, and purposeful. The low, wide stance, pop-up headlights, and flowing body lines created an elegant silhouette that has aged remarkably well. The interior featured a driver-focused cockpit layout with clear instrumentation and Honda's characteristically precise switchgear.

The third-generation Prelude was a critical and commercial success, establishing Honda's reputation for technological innovation in the consumer market. The 4WS system, while eventually phased out in favor of electronic alternatives, demonstrated the concept's viability and inspired virtually every four-wheel steering system that followed.

Today, the third-generation Prelude Si 4WS is increasingly appreciated as a landmark in automotive engineering. Clean examples are becoming rare as the cars have aged, and the unique 4WS system — while occasionally requiring maintenance — adds a historical significance that elevates the Prelude above typical sport compacts of its era.