Honda Civic adopts Prelude’s simulated gearbox technology

The Honda Civic has added the Prelude’s simulated engine and gearbox technology to boost driver engagement for the family hatchback. As a hybrid, the Civic’s internal combustion engine primarily generates electricity for its 181bhp electric motor, which drives the wheels, while the engine is used for forward motion only under higher loads like motorway speeds. The new S+ Shift system, borrowed from the Prelude, allows the electric motor to mimic a traditional combustion engine and automatic gearbox. It simulates rev changes, engine sound, and power interruptions across eight virtual gears when activated via an S+ button on the centre console. Steering wheel-mounted paddles, normally used for adjusting regenerative braking, are repurposed to shift up or down through the virtual gears, with downchanges automatically blip-the-throttle to match revs. The system comes as standard on the Sport trim, priced at £34,415 including a £2,500 discount valid until 31 October 2026, which also features an uprated Bose sound system to enhance the simulated noise. It is also included on the range-topping Advance grade, priced at £37,495 including the discount. Honda follows Hyundai, whose Ioniq 5 N was the first EV to offer a simulated combustion powertrain, with the technology also installed in the Prelude hybrid and the Super-N city car. Other manufacturers developing similar technology include Porsche for the next-generation Porsche 718 Boxster EV, Kia, and Mercedes-AMG.