All posts by Francis Mitterrand

News

Honda Prelude Could Be Back Soon

In 1978, Honda introduced its first car with a moonroof, the Honda Prelude. This two-door coupe was used by the Japanese manufacturer to introduce its sales chain, the Honda Verno. It was produced until 2001, when production was stopped with the arrival of the fourth-generation Integra. Now, 22 years later, there is a possible comeback of this car.

According to the latest information and speculations, Honda seems to be making a comeback, as the company trademarked the name Prelude. If we look at it with optimism, we can start to wonder if the Japanese manufacturer is really preparing the return of this iconic model.

There are many questions, but few answers. Many are wondering if it will remain a coupe with an internal combustion engine or will it become an SUV with an electric drive? So far, Honda has not made any announcements.

Following the competition, Honda must start producing new or return old models as fully electric. Currently, the Japanese manufacturer has announced the arrival of its first all-electric car, the Honda Prologue, which is expected to hit the market next year.

Honda previously announced that the company’s long-term plan is to produce a Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) lineup by 2040. That may be too late considering that competitors have announced a transition to all-electric cars by 2030. Ten years is a long time, but maybe Honda has an ace up its sleeve.

Source: Best Car Web

Auctions

1957 Porsche 356A Carrera GT Speedster is up for auction

The Porsche 356 is one of the most collectible cars from the Stuttgart-based company. It was produced in four versions, and in 1955 Porsche introduced the second racing version, the 356A. Two years later, the road legal 356A Speedster (known as Type 2) arrived on the market. One of them, a 1957 Porsche 356A Carrera GT Speedster is up for auction.

The 356A Carrera GT Speedster is powered by a replacement 1.5L four-cam engine with 109 hp (81 kW), paired with a four-speed manual transmission. That’s enough power to reach 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds with a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph). It is mounted on 15-inch alloy wheels with steel centers wrapped in 175/70 R15 Avon tires.

This car was restored in 1988 when it was painted in Silver Metallic and is in excellent condition. It is equipped with 60-millimeter ventilated front brakes, rear wheel spacers, 80-liter GT fuel tank, replacement gearbox. The interior contains the original panels, doors, decklid, and lightweight GT interior, with new floors, battery box, and rockers.

In 2019, the car has been treated to a thorough mechanical freshening by Speed Sport Tuning of Danbury, Connecticut, which cost $50,000. This included a professional conversion of the engine to full-synthetic motor oil, as well as timing, carburetor, and brake adjustments.

The car comes with a Blaupunkt jack and tool roll, a rare “Touring” kit containing cables, bulbs, fuses, and gaskets, uninstalled rollbar, “Atlantis” braided tow rope in a correct blue vinyl storage bag, period-correct driver’s manual with Carrera supplement , factory Kardex, and Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.

This collectible Porsche 356A Carrera GT Speedster is offered at RM Sotheby’s. Price upon request.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

Gallery:

1957 Porsche 356A Carrera GT Speedster is up for auction
1957 Porsche 356A Carrera GT Speedster is up for auction
News

Chrysler Pacifica PHEV produced in 100k copies

In 2016, Chrysler introduced a plug-in hybrid version of its higher-end minivan, the Chrysler Pacifica. It took just seven years for the company to produce 100k copies of the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV.

Once very popular in Europe, minivans are a rarity today, but in the US they are still very common on the road. The Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is the only plug-in hybrid minivan that qualifies for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, and when you add in other tax credits, it’s easy to see why demand for this car continues.

Early last year, the company announced that it would go all-electric by 2028, with a long-term goal of producing more than 25 electric vehicles in the United States by 2030. Chrysler’s upcoming crossover is one of those 25, and it’s an SUV based on the STLA Large platform. Chrysler’s first electric vehicle was supposed to be based on the Airflow concept, but the concept was stopped due to design.

Another car manufacturer from the Stellantis Group, Jeep, has so far presented two electric vehicles intended for the American market. The Recon, which will go into production next year as a 2025 model, and the Wagoneer S, with a range of 400 miles. Both models will be produced at the Windsor plant.

Source: Chrysler