valve Timing and lift Electronic Control--system, but the configuration

employed in the Prelude is still the most stimulating. Using two sets of

cam lobes per shaft--one set mild, the second aggressive--the mechanically

activated system engages the second set of lobes at about 5200 rpm and

voila!--we have liftoff.

In the lower gears, particularly, power comes on with a dramatic rush

reminiscent of some turbocharged cars, transforming the engine from mild

to wild. At maximum thrust, the little 2.2-liter engine propels the Prelude

to 60 mph in about seven seconds, making an engagingly refined snarl while

doing so.

The five-speed gearbox is precise, although the gear ratios aren't quite

as close as they were in previous VTEC-power Preludes, probably for a little

better fuel economy.

Honda's painstaking work with the chassis is immediately apparent in

hard cornering, even in the basic car. And the function of the ATTS wizardry

in our SH tester lends an amazing new dimension to front-drive motoring.

When cornering speed increases, it simply makes the driver forget that

understeer ever existed. Transitions are instantaneous, steering responses

scalpel-sharp.

The only trouble with ATTS--and we're not at all sure this can even

be classified as a problem--is that you have to drive the car quite briskly

to experience its magic.

The only other mild negative to emerge from our Prelude driving experience

was ride quality that is distinctly firm. This is a very sporty setup,

and it doesn't let you forget its thoroughbred sinews for a minute.