Honda has unveiled details of its groundbreaking S+ Shift technology, promising an enhanced driving experience that harmonizes performance, responsiveness, and driving thrill. This advancement will debut in the upcoming 2025 Honda Prelude and eventually roll out to all next-generation e:HEV models.
What Makes S+ Shift Unique?
Honda’s development team emphasizes that S+ Shift elevates both acceleration and deceleration responsiveness. Here’s how it works:
1. Enhanced Acceleration
The S+ Shift system provides drivers with quicker shift responsiveness compared to traditional dual-clutch transmissions (DCTs). This improvement ensures immediate feedback to the driver’s actions. By stimulating the senses of hearing, sight, and touch, drivers feel more in control, amplifying the exhilaration of accelerating.
2. Improved Deceleration
In previous e:HEV systems, deceleration often operated in EV mode, which limited feedback during braking. With S+ Shift, an innovative downshift mechanism aligns closely with braking inputs. This offers clearer communication between the car and the driver, satisfying a more engaging driving experience.
3. Optimized Re-Acceleration
The new system balances the power from the hybrid engine, battery, and regenerative braking, ensuring high energy retention. This efficiency translates into faster, smoother responses during re-acceleration. Drivers will notice a significant leap in power delivery and responsiveness with every push of the accelerator.
The 2025 Honda Prelude will debut the advanced S+ Shift system.
Honda’s Philosophy Behind S+ Shift
The “S” in S+ Shift represents Honda’s heritage of sporty innovation, paying tribute to iconic models like the S600, S2000, and Type S. Additionally, it symbolizes key attributes such as “Synchronize,” “Special,” and “Sensational.” The “+” reflects the added value this technology brings, while “Shift” signifies a transition into a new dimension of driving pleasure.
Honda’s ambition for S+ Shift is clear: synchronize human and machine to redefine the relationship between driver and car.
Launch Timeline
S+ Shift will first be introduced in the all-new 2025 Honda Prelude and will gradually be available across Honda’s lineup of next-generation e:HEV vehicles. This strategic rollout ensures that Honda enthusiasts worldwide will experience this innovative technology.
S+ Shift Key Features
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Faster Shift Responsiveness | Instant feedback enhances acceleration thrill. |
| Brake-Integrated Downshifting | Improved driver information and engagement during deceleration. |
| Hybrid Power Optimization | Smoother, faster re-acceleration with efficient energy usage. |
| Multi-Sensory Driving Experience | Amplifies hearing, vision, and tactile responses for heightened control. |
Honda’s S+ Shift undoubtedly marks an exciting step forward in automotive innovation, blending improved performance with an unmatched driving connection. Stay tuned for the official launch of the 2025 Honda Prelude, where the future of driving will take center stage.
