In brief, about 110 horsepower.
The 1982 Prelude, part of Honda’s first-generation Prelude lineup (produced roughly 1978–1982), used a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. In the United States, the manual-transmission version was commonly listed near 110 horsepower, while the automatic version was typically lower by a few horsepower. Figures can vary by market, emissions setup, and testing method.
Engine and performance context
The 1982 Prelude relied on a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that defined its performance profile: nimble handling and modest straight-line speed characteristic of early 1980s Japanese coupes, rather than high horsepower. The official numbers reflect the era’s testing standards and regional specifications, so exact figures can differ between brochures and road tests.
Key factors that can affect horsepower
Before listing typical figures, it’s useful to note the elements that commonly influence the horsepower rating for this model:
- Fuel delivery method (carbureted vs. early fuel injection)
- Transmission choice (manual vs. automatic)
- Emissions equipment and tuning for different markets
- Rating convention used by the source (SAE net vs. other standards)
Because of these variables, published horsepower for the 1982 Prelude can span a small range, but most well-documented sources place it roughly in the 100–110 horsepower zone depending on configuration.
Market and trim variations
In practice, the most commonly cited figure for the U.S. market is around 110 horsepower for the manual-transmission version. The automatic version tends to be somewhat lower, and other markets with different emissions controls or equipment can show minor deviations. For a specific car, the exact rating may depend on the brochure, the test method, or the VIN-era specification.
Summary
The 1982 Honda Prelude delivered roughly 110 horsepower in its typical U.S. manual configuration, with automatic variants usually a bit lower. Across markets and trims, the horsepower sits in a narrow range around 100–110 hp, shaped by engine delivery method, emissions equipment, and measurement standards. For precise figures on a particular car, consult the original brochure or perform a current dyno test.