PRELUDE COMING TO U.S.! HONDA + NISSAN MERGER TALKS, DURANGO HELLCAT SURVIVES + MORE! WEEKLY UPDATE

EV Channels Review

This weekly update covers several significant automotive news items, with a primary focus on the upcoming return of the Honda Prelude to the U.S. market. The Prelude will feature Honda's two-motor hybrid powertrain and an innovative 'S+ shift' feature, designed to enhance driver engagement by simulating shift points. While not a full sports car, it's anticipated to be a fun, sporty compact with potential for around 50 MPG and possibly sharing components with the Civic Type R, hinting at a future Type R variant. The review also delves into the complex merger talks between Honda and Nissan, potentially involving Mitsubishi, spurred by Foxconn's interest in acquiring Nissan. The Durango Hellcat's production extension for 2025 is noted, alongside the surprising discontinuation of the SRT 392 trim. Porsche's electric 718 replacement faces delays due to battery pack development, and Audi is closing its Brussels plant, ending Q8 e-tron production. The Ram 1500 REV is delayed to 2026, with the range-extended Ramcharger prioritized for a 2025 launch due to strong consumer interest and slowing EV sales growth.