Prelude coming to U.S.! Honda + Nissan Merger Talks, Durango Hellcat Survives + More! Weekly Update

[@Mattsbeybattles]

Just want to thank you for doing the weekly updates. Main way I keep up with car news now

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thank you for watching them!

[@Caoimhin777]

@@MattMaranMotoringI second this. Your channel makes it so much easier to keep up with car news.

[@raver208]

@@MattMaranMotoring. I agree on that point as well… You have become my main quick source for Automotive News each week. 😊

[@tedadamgreen]

Agreed!!

[@decepticonstinger3150]

I third this! These updates are also my most favorite way to keep up with automotive news

[@trungluu6652]

I love news update video

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks for watching them!

[@donmax1403]

Finally a content creator that keep our hope to have not only a MANUAL TRANSMISSION but a TYPE R... this is all the enthousiast dream. Let see what they will do and meanwhile let our voice be heard:" WE WANT A TYPE R ON THE PRELUDE" 🎉 6:02 6:02

[@USAMALIK56]

Great job once again Matt. Happy and safe holidays to you and your family.

[@thatoneotherotherguy]

Very cool to see the Prelude effectively confirmed as a liftback. Helps differentiate it, and helps practicality. We've had Accord Coupes in the family for 15 years now. This will probably replace the 2015, will actually be able to get decently sized items into the back with a liftback rather than a trunk.

[@v12kingV10]

honda sheep are exactly why you get this lame vehicle. GR86 and BRZ destroy this

[@thatoneotherotherguy]

@@v12kingV10 you're missing the plot. They have no interest in fighting for the already super low selling "cheap RWD coupe" market. Being front wheel drive actually differentiates it. This isn't some billion dollar ground up sports car project. It's a new body on the Civic platform with the Civic drivetrain and interior, and that means you keep the powertrain layout. It's just a cheap way for them to get a 2-door back in their lineup, which is a cheap way to get people looking at the shiny attractive thing in the showroom who then go buy a CRV like everyone else.

[@v12kingV10]

@ you sound stupid. The rwd is selling its in its second generation. Meanwhile yall jerkin off honda who is rebadging a fwd cuvix into a prelude lame honda owners allow this to happen

[@dp12480]

@@thatoneotherotherguy 100% agree. This is more of a "date car" referred to in Japan. It's a nice package coupe that provides impressive mpg and a sporty driving experience

[@im_an_alvani]

Having the Prelude be a nice GT and actually be available at MSRP would be pretty sweet.

[@Angryeddie14]

Thanks for another great weekly update! I love two door cars and while this prelude wont be super high strung like people want ill take it as a two door prius with some extra tid bits added. Im interested depending on price for a nice dd

[@ChrissClutch]

I have a 10th Gen Si coupé, the TypeR platform in this would be a dream. No hybrid

[@PaulGrant-t6t]

Well, I'm squarely a Coupe type guy so I'm happy to hear about the Prelude. My only question is why they did not try somthing that mimicked the old Sportomatic shift on the floor that older air-cooled 911's used to have. With the Type R front suspension that should make is more of a sporting drive than any Civic including the SI. Further being a shorter wheelbase and wider track would imply a more sporting drive than an SI but not quite a Type R. Just seems like a complicated solution for adding a hybrid motor though. Not sure if I would trade in my 2022 BRZ for it though.

[@v12kingV10]

it’s a civic not a prelude. it’s lame

[@PaulGrant-t6t]

@@v12kingV10 The original Prelude was based on an Accord platform. Not exactly sporting. The Civic platform is. Integra Type R's came from a Civic platform. Why would it be lame?

[@PaulGrant-t6t]

@@v12kingV10 The original Prelude was on an Accord chassis. Not really that sporting. The new Civic chassis is far superior (as in Type R). Since the new Prelude is going to have the Type R front suspension, how could it be lame?

[@v12kingV10]

@ hondas are lame fwd is lame. A CVT is lame. Looking like a prius x chevy cavalier is lame, This is DOA

[@twotrackjack2260]

Thanks for the weekly update Matt. As har as the Prelude goes, time will tell. I like that its a lift back coupe. Happy Festivus!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Haha Happy Festivus!!

[@comeconcon569]

Matt certainly has a true passion for automobiles.

[@krammit89]

That's pretty disappointing that they're discontinuing the 392. I drive a '23 300C and I love that engine!

[@2006gtobob]

Great updates! Keep it up, Matt. So, Honda is going to put out a 2 door Civic with slightly different styling while putting their superior front suspension set up from the Type R into regular production. Ok. I'm what you call a Honda fan, but wow. The mighty has fallen ever since bean counters took over. The engineering is now adequate instead of what it used to be, outstanding, all at an elevated pricing scheme. Hopes dashed. I've been buying Hondas since 1992, but my 2017 Accord coupe V6 is the last one I'll buy new. Its really all too bad.

[@themightyshogun]

Great update! The ram charger looks awesome I think that’s the best ram grill. A little disappointed in the prelude. I’m so glad at least 1 of the hellcats is surviving another year

[@nickkrenn891]

Hats off to Matt for knowing the difference between a hatch and a lift. Every youtuber and commenter calls lifts, hatches.

[@bikebudha01]

Prelude being a good daily is FAR more important than 0-60

[@19hundoc47]

You’re a goon buddy. You want a good daily? Buy a RAV4.

[@bikebudha01]

@@19hundoc47 why? why would I want to run around in some ugly mini-suv? There are plenty of 'fast' sporty cars. We don't need another one.

[@fredjemal3689]

Totally agree. I’m over the SUV craze!

[@Hazdazos]

The Japanese don't want to have any of their companies sold to the Chinese/Taiwanese. The government will step up and give Honda the loans to buy up Nissan for cheap. I just don't see the benefit for Honda since their lineup overlaps so much with Nissan. It would only make sense if Nissan was aimed at the lower end of the market and Honda moved up market a little even though it has always been a mid market brand.

[@MrCarpediem6]

i wouldn't want Honda to merge with Nissan.. let Nissan find a buyer

[@Cbrmansc77]

I just hope they make enough preludes for people to go to the dealer and buy. I hate it when there is like 1000+ youtubers saying buy the SI, you walk into a dealer, and its always a "we only get 1-2 per year, sorry we are sold out" Thats my only gripe with honda is that they lost their way of making the fun cars available for us to walk in and buy.

[@markmark2469]

Sticking with my BRZ!

[@andycalifornia426]

Prelude: not only did Honda thing they can sell a coup (a two-door car) with a hybrid powertrain, they decided to give it such claustraphobic feel inside with those enormous pillars in the back and a slit for rear window. And then they're going claim no one wants a coup in general.

[@PaulGrant-t6t]

It is obvious why Porsche has delayed the EV 718. Similar to why the EV Cayenne is delayed. Quite plainly US buyers are not jumping on the EV band wagon like so many auto makers had thought. So, they are reverse engineering to offer ice or ice/hybrid vehicles. Certainly, it costs a lot a money to bring any vehicle model to the market. If a vehicle is brought to market and does not sell to meet expectations that could be a huge financial loss for the company. So perhaps Porsche has decided to not bring out the 718 until an "Ice" model is in the pipeline to offer as a choice.

[@r3games1985]

No link to the Prelude Japan vid.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Sorry! Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imOsmWV_d5acec0si=Eylc69eIqlmaE3Ml

[@MrRez86]

35k to 40k coupe?? Smh crazy barely making 220hp with no manual

[@supersteve1585]

Hopefully later down the line a fake manual transmission that shifts similarly like their real ones for hybrid and full electric cars like what Toyota is looking into. If Hyundai was able to do with paddle shifters on the Ionic 5, why cant Honda do with on their hybrid most of the power to the wheels is coming from electric motors oppose to the gas engine.😁

[@superharuhifan]

@@supersteve1585 I've spent way too long thinking about a full electric with petrol range extender hooked up to a fake manual "transmission" that feels, sounds, smells and vibrates like a petrol car. but drives totally electric thru motors with the Ionic style fake transmission tuning all synced together. I picture this in some type of small British style roadster with some type of small 4 cylinder motorcycle engine (Honda?) that barely sips fuel and revs to the moon. The motor could be detuned for even less fuel consumption since it's basically being used as a musical instrument at that point.

[@Therafester14]

I’m interested to see what the prelude brings. I know it’s probably not realistic but I really do wish they make a hybrid manual. I imagine they’re planning for this the next gen si

[@2Bunphettered788]

A final, FINAL Edition.... finally. 😄👍🏾

[@truckercowboyed2638]

Maybe we'll get a hybrid prelude as well.... something for everyone but market it as a performance car

[@n2ufc1]

Nissan please let Honda do your CVT transmissions. 😊

[@austinpowers6260]

Prelude seems like CRZ 2.0. Don't see it doing that well.

[@Inferno45]

No its more like the replacement to the accord and civic coupes. As long as its cheap and reliable it will sell

[@layne4376]

Agreed. I can't see enthusiasts flocking to it. And @Inferno45, the Accord Coupe and Civic Coupe was a replacement for the original Prelude and shadows of that car.

[@c.a.r.s.carsandrelevantspecs]

Wow, that Honda news is pretty amazing! What an adventure!

[@House_of_Schmidt]

With the amount of money spent on EV and battery development, along with the waning or stagnating interest in EVs, it's not a shock that many companies are having some real financial trouble.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

They also don't receive billions in subsidies like Chinese car companies do.

[@fillup316]

@House_of_Schmidt stagnating? Hardly. Come to BC. They're everywhere, especially urban areas .

[@House_of_Schmidt]

@fillup316 did you just reference the cities of BC to represent the entire market... We have sales figures. They're stagnating at best, dude.

[@davideg5947]

Nissan Honda merge would be great!

[@drdetroitwheels]

You're going to get tired of seeing different V8 from Dodge from the 57 - 62 to the 64 to the secret 4.7 l Magnum dual overhead cam variable valve twin turbo

[@kennedyracing7527]

I think the Japanese government is going to give Honda the money

[@fredjemal3689]

I agree. Japan wants this merger.

[@damian97332]

TK's Garage reported that Stellantis is making orders for more Hellcat engines so it's not only the matter of using up old stock

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Interesting, thanks for the info.

[@scottlenahan8228]

That’s what happens when you fire the crazy CEO and bring back sanity to the world! Love hearing this news!

[@gregkramer5588]

Honda Nissan merger is a good idea. I am sure they can get loans from the Japanese government loans. I think they get a lot from the merger. Nissan is way ahead of Honda in the EV space. The new Murano will be stronger in it's segment than the Passport. Honda can use the Frontier products. Altima may go away IMO. The Rogue and CRV overlap but that can work also (see Sportage/Tucson) Both Honda and Nissan are getting there but's kicked in China and Nissan has three times Honda's market share in Europe. More consolidation is needed for two reasons in my opinion. The huge reason is the Chinese cars taking market share. China has went from the 6th largest exporter to the #1 exporter in 6 years! BYD has passed Honda and Ford in size this year. If Trump screws with tariffs too much Ford and GM will both need partners also. The second reason is the transition to EVs which increases R&D spend along with the software transition also. I have been very positive about the Ramcharger since I first heard of the upcoming model. People that use trucks for work need it to be able to do it's task every day. EVs can make it difficult the days you have to tow. Of course the lifestyle pickup people may or may not need it or care. Thanks again Matt! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks Greg! Merry Christmas to you and yours too!

[@wzDH106]

The Q8 etron is overpriced and far too heavy given the competition. However, second hand deals are incredible and will probably continue to be so with ending leases and arrival of the Q6 etron in North America.

[@lancegreenemusic]

So many haters… 247 is a healthy amount of torque. This is going to be a fun car.

[@19hundoc47]

Your mom has a healthy amount of torque. She almost hurt me last night

[@stanleyperez8469]

I love that hoodie. Is it available to purchase?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Yep! Available at mattmaranmotoring.com!

[@jongeephotography]

Honda gets manufacturing capacity and dealership Network... That's it!

[@Inferno45]

As well as a body on frame truck and suv platform and real sports car platform from the z, and gtr

[@TunedByJ]

I have mixed feelings about the Prelude, it’s very “meh” to me and the design is a bit bland at least on picture/video. I guess I just don’t know yet how this will excite two door sporty cars enthusiast, although the S stuff seems interesting. Also, Honda and Nissan need to merge, China EV/Car market is killing them right now (among other things), as long as they continue to innovate, this can work out well., or not lol

[@kennedyracing7527]

I wish the Prelude was getting the type R motor

[@Jmarzx]

U know damn well that wasn’t happening lol

[@marcnobel3938]

Wunderbar! Over 20 Minutes of the Matt Maran Friday Night Car News Show - with some great and fresh topics again. Wishing everybody here a great day and a fantastic weekend ahead. Enjoy the News!

[@decepticonstinger3150]

Yessir yessir!

[@yuppystick]

If only the Prelude looked like the one they showed initially

[@99-Zulu]

2:28 Odo? ODDDDDDODDODDDDODDDD0! It's the oreo instructor! Odo!

[@stever41g]

Thx Matt. Love the weekend update segment. Happy Holidays.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Thanks for watching! Happy holidays!

[@drdetroitwheels]

They are bringing out New motors there's going to be a new vehicles coming out with all kinds of V8 well into the future

[@bobbyjones2112]

Yeah, the ram charger is gonna be big, big price!😂

[@CKPHH]

The new Prelude will get Honda latest Hybrid system in 2026 i think. Honda invited some US reviewers to Japan to check out their new techs.

[@scotturich]

The reality of the Prelude is that everyone is saying that they are disappointed it’s not a manual. Do you people realize you didn’t buy it when it had a manual. Individuals are no longer allowed to complain if they don’t currently own a manual.

[@jakebochow9393]

@scotturich same thing with the powertrain and price. "It's a hybrid no thanks" "no manual and 8K redline 4 cylinder? Booo" "It's not 20k anymore? Booo" This thing is going to be full of tech that everyone wants and be quick and get around 50 mpg.

[@Mx5pro]

😂 people complain how under powered the accord is right now even while Acura answer their prayer by giving them the tlx type s awd 3.0 and nobody wants to buy it. So just let complain

[@cryotasticshitposting]

@@scotturich Some people don't like the way that it looks, or the fact that it's hybrid only.

[@MKu64]

Although I do agree - the reality is that it never used to be in limited supplies (manual)... so the idea that yet another sports (or performance) car is coming with auto only (or electric) is very dissapointing. (Yes I drive manuals exclusively).

[@2Bunphettered788]

I think Honda will be exclusively hybrid soon. 👍🏾

[@lilrockstarrs]

I really like how the new Prelude looks. Can’t wait for a $100k Type R version!

[@Patrick-yc3tf]

It's unacceptable in 2025 to have an uncomfortable rear seat like in the G37 when the platform shares with the Civic. Imagine a shooting break design to add functionality. Like, what's the point of a lift back of the slope is too damn low for both rear passengers and cargo? Such a head scratcher

[@Vijaypall_96]

Crazy how these car companies are struggling with the EV stuff. Gotta be a crunch point right?

[@scottlenahan8228]

“Pollute as much as they want”? Come on Matt, we all love the fact these are sticking around. It’s fantastic. People still want great MPG, that’s not changing. But bringing epic cars back to the world is fantastic news.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

You may think people want good MPG but the best selling vehicle in America is the F-150, and the other full size trucks are in the top 10 as well. So the reality is most people don’t care, and will care even less if the promises of cheap gas actually happen.

[@BlackNAVYAmericanVET]

Maybe Honda can revamp the DEVASTATING CVT * I’m a victim to the Nissan ENGINE FIASCO .

[@sethi100]

The interior does not look too impressive. The infotainment needs to be more rectangular and hoping a thin bezel. The back glass seems like rear view will be a challenge. Price wise, the high end model versions should be less than $40K. Keep up the updates. Thanks.

[@19hundoc47]

All they had to do with the prelude was put the accord 2.0 turbo in it and give it a manual. That’s it. No one wants a battery coupe

[@Inferno45]

Honda gets a fullsize truck platform and a body on frame midsize platform. This is important if they wana compete with toyota. Acura could benefit as well to compete more with lexus

[@Inferno45]

Stellantis should not own nissan. They destroyed Mitsubishi when Chrysler owned it.

[@doggedlydetermined7022]

I genuinely don’t understand why Honda couldn’t just drop the Type R powertrain in the Prelude

[@supersteve1585]

As Matt mentioned Honda doesnt usually release a performance version at launch like the Integra Type S. There is a chance we'll see something in few years.

[@v12kingV10]

it’s a lame fwd civic

[@jonlee580]

WE NEED A V8 TWIN TURBO Honda Skyline

[@whiteandnerdytuba]

Good luck on the 2 seater civic for mustang money. Honda doesn't make anything large or exciting. There's no Honda I'd buy but the gtr tempted me from a v8 and the armada is very compelling. Nissan has technology, Honda needed Chevy to make an ev

[@kajukuja]

🙂👍

[@wackit6756]

I don’t get it. I applaud Honda for bringing the Prelude to market (I even want one!), but the Auto industry made up its mind that 2 door coupes were dead (and sales numbers verified it), and almost every manufacturer got rid of coupes. The business plan now doesn’t make sense. This is a niche category of car and sales will be very low. I would rather put the development Money into a high volume vehicle like a small Honda FIT. (50,000-100,000 per year?) The HRV got way too big. People need an inexpensive super small CUV like the old FIT's. In fact they still make them outside of the U.S. What say you? 💁‍♂️

[@yanal0611]

I’m shocked that the Prelude has taken this long and that they’ve been so limited with their info/photos. Considering it looks more like a parts bin special with just a new body on it. It’s basically just Civic Hybrid with some Type R components on the front axle. Interior looks copy-paste Civic. Meh. It would’ve been nice to just have this be a two-door version of the Civic Si.

[@GuyIncognito1]

Wasn't it Matt here who reported that the Japanese are looking out for each other and don't want to let one fall and sell out to non-Japanese. Why the confusion all of a sudden?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I had heard that, but I’m still not sure why it’s a thing.

[@eddieg6436]

That Honda “Saloon” concept IS pretty much what the production vehicle will look like according to reports.

[@andycalifornia426]

Prelude gets less and less interesting with every report. There's a reason the Civic SI is not a hybrid. Adding a tad more power and fake gearshifts to the Civic Hybrid doesn't make it more engaging/"enthusiastic" than the manual ICE - Honda knew that much, but decided to drop the ball with the Prelude. The only hope of it being actually good for enthusiasts is if there's a Prelude SI with an ICE, but it looks unlikely.

[@scrutch666]

If the brand honda goes away for a merger especially with nissan that would be the worst brand decision ever

[@es.design]

2024 = 1974. The auto industry is dead for enthusiasts. We have tons of amazing older stuff though thank goodness. We had a good run.

[@v12kingV10]

it a FWD civic coupe badged prelude with no manual. boring

[@HellDiverEnjoyer]

@@v12kingV10 not everything needs to be a v8 RWD manual to be fun

[@fredjemal3689]

Here are the reasons Nissan may benefit Honda: EV technology Expanded international (esp Europe) dealer network Body on frame trucks/SUVs RWD sports cars Did I miss anything else?

[@anthony5786]

The Prelude announcement makes me miss my 10th gen Si coupe. Had heated seats, adaptive dampers, last few years of the coupe. I traded it in for an ND Miata which I LOVE, but the 10th gen Si coupe has everything the Integra has, WITH the manual. Got it for 24k OTD in 2019, which is unheard of post covid. Truly the sweet spot for modern Hondas.

[@Armen567]

Prelude fail. Needs to be a manual option for this demographic.

[@626KiDD]

The merger between Honda and Nissan isn't going to happen. "No merger announced, companies exploring collaboration. Potential merger could face U.S. scrutiny and require concessions." Source from Reuters

[@antmarquis87]

What’s the point of the prelude?

[@venussavage]

Ugh, enough fake shift points and muscle car sound (Stellantis, looking at you. What's next, fake loping idle? How about the starter turns but engine doesn't fire when the EV powertrain breaks down? Fake manual choke knob? Shaker scoop with mechanism to move it back and forth when you give it the "gas?" Maybe charging stations that look like fuel pumps?? Please stop!!!!!!). Every type of vehicle has its own personality type. Let electrified cars find their voice, so to say.

[@RoMee651]

They're building a slow Prelude for casuals. They did not learn from their failure of the NSX

[@MonkeyPower55]

Not interested unless it’s a manual. Not likely.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

It doesn't need to be Type R only. The Type R is irrelevant anyway with the insane dealer markups or insane MSRP like it has in Europe (60k MSRP). It's just a shame that it is hybrid only. The hybrid isn't bad but it's still not really an enthusiast powertrain.

[@Caoimhin777]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 I agree. I’m not put off by the lower HP, but the hybrid power train without real gears is a bummer.

[@Inferno45]

since when was the NSX slow?? This car is more like the Brz or gr86. Its gonna focus more on handleing than speed and its gonna be cheap compared to something like a mustang

[@MonkeyPower55]

@@Inferno45 I don’t think he meant slow but softer, less focused. It was much heavier, a hybrid and didn’t offer a manual.

[@drumraven12]

Electric no manual... pass

[@ConfirmedPatriot]

Fake shifts, fake engine noise speakers ala Dodge. What’s the next fake…..🤔🤪🙄

[@CarsTechWood]

Trump will keep the V8s around 🇺🇸