1997 Honda Prelude A cutting-edge sport coupe. By Tony Swan, New Car Test Drive .com

A year ago, we were all but certain that

Honda's Prelude was about to join the ranks of the dearly departed. Like

so many sport coupes, its sales were slow, and there was informed speculation

of the Prelude's impending demise, even within American Honda, speculation

that was magnified by Honda's typical tight security concerning future

products.

Well, it's a year later and we're pleased to say that all the speculative

doom-and-gloom, our own included, was wrong. There's a new Prelude for

1997, fifth generation in this popular series, roomier, more powerful and

more technically sophisticated than generation four. In a word, better.