European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 23, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Thursday july 23. 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13 Honda prelude a pleasure to drive by Malcolm Donaloio Stan ii Riter to those who Mil think of Honda Only in terms of motor codes. Or he Liny Economy cars that began to trickle into the United Stales in the Laic 60s. Inc 1987 prelude Losi is an eve opener. The prelude shows How far Honda has come As an automaker from cars thai sold Only in Japan produced As a Mere sideline to a line thai in sold Toyota in the . Market last year. It s easy to see Why the prelude plays a major role in Honda s phenomenal growth. The lop of Lac line 2.0si, the .-specification Model tested boasts such Standard features As air conditioning a radio cassette stereo system and electric windows and Sunroof. It s sharply styled and a pleasure 10 drive. The 2.0si May not rank As a up cd sir not in a land where porsche and Bow dominate the autobahn s left Lane. But it s certainly no Slouch. The ic5i car could be coaxed to 120 Mph More than enough to raise the eyebrows and inc ire of stale troopers Back Home. The 2.0si"s time in the standing Quarter Mil is a respectable 16.68 seconds. The 1-Liier Power Plant four Cal inders 12 valves and electronic fuel injection develops 110 horsepower a 5,500 rpm. The Basic prelude has a 1.8-Litcr, dual-carbure1or engine Hal develops 100 horsepower at 5,500 rpm thai lightweight surprisingly pow Erful 2-liter engine is also fuel efficient. Epa mileage ratings for the five Speed manual Are 25 mpg City 31 mpg Highway. The smooth four Speed Auto malic is rated at 24 mpg City 30 mpg Highway. The fuel Lank holds 15.9 Gal Lons. Choosing the automatic transmission rather than the five Speed Slick has Little Impact on fuel Economy. A lockup torque converter that Eli i the prelude 2.0s1 docs the standing Quarter mile in a respectable 16.68 seconds. Ass Poto by m i Nalcus slippage also keeps engine rpm Low. That helps produce Good mileage figures. The ride and handling of the front wheel drive prelude could put Many prestige cars to shame Honda started with a double Wishbone front suspension put Macpherson struts in the rear added front and rear Stabilizer bars and then Sci the package on Michelin steel belled radials and ally wheels. Power steering and Power disc brakes front and rear Complete the recipe. The result is agility stability and Comfort. The prelude s appearance is not particularly distinctive. It shares the Low Flung wedge shape lines common to its Breed from the retractable head lights in from to the Small spoiler in Back. Still it s a design of proven popularity and this is an Eye catching car. Those aerodynamic lines and solid construction also make the Interior a pleasantly quiet cocoon no wind whistle no Highway hum no engine Echo. There s a Price to pay for the pre Lude s rakish Silhouette of course a cramped rear compartment. Asking an adult to Sil in the Back is asking a lot. It Carlo the prelude i designed with the Driver in mind. The Driver and front Seal passenger Are pampered. They ride in comfortable reclining bucket seats with ample headroom and plenty of space to stretch their legs. The leather wrapped steering wheel lists to suit the Driver s prefer ence. The Driver will find every gauge speedometer fuel tachometer temperature clearly visible Day or night. All switches lights wipers windows cruise control Are within easy reach. In general the Driver s View is Excel Lent. The first time Driver who wants to Man Euver into a Light parking space May grumble a bit about the prelude s extended bumper and parking Light As Sembly which juts out beneath the Grille like a pouting child s lower lip. The Driver s View ends at the front line of inc Hood n difference of about eight inches. The prelude 2.0si is. In sum. A win Nerli looks Sharp and has the performance and Comfort features to com plete the package the lest car was provided by Honda military sales offices in Frankfurt. The firm lists the five Speed prelude at $1.1,995, the five Speed 2.0si at $16,995. With the automatic transmission As tested the 2.0si lists no $17,695. Flagship of the Fleet Bow introduces new 12-Cylinder 7501 Sedan Tiv dim 12-Cjlindrr Emvy 75 111. Features wider kidney shape Cinter Krill. The new Bow 750i Sedan pow ered by the first 12-Cylinder engine from a German manufacturer in 50 years was introduced to inc International press last week in Hamburg. Eberhard von Kuhnheim Bow s chairman of the Board said during the presentation with this car Bow confirms its ultimate status As an International manufacturer of Fine arid he added its Aura will reach the most remole automobile markets of inc world and male a pro found impression on there Are two versions the 7sqi and the Tang wheelbase 75ijjl and they Bear a close relationship in appearance to the regular 7-scncs i jew cars thut were introduced 0 months ago. The new 12-cy under cars lop out a 155 Miles an hour and could go faster except Hal Bow run Sidon that Speed Gigli enough fit a luxury car on Limcay s Market. An electronic control cuts things of at 155. We Uroic this important new car during he or Csc Miro Lueion and will a i j report on it Here next week. Kintly tin men
