The Honda Prelude Is Back [UPDATE]

UPDATE 10/25 @ 3:53 PM ET: An earlier model of the story claimed the brand new Honda Prelude Idea was electrical, however American Honda Senior Supervisor of Public Relations Andrew Quillin stated on social media and subsequently confirmed on to us that the sports activities coupe is a hybrid. Sadly, Honda is not releasing any particulars of the hybrid powertrain presently.

Are you sitting down, of us? Honda simply dropped a bombshell on the Japan Mobility Present, and it is referred to as Prelude. Feast your eyes on the Honda Prelude Idea, and whoa, Nellie does it look prepared for manufacturing.

What are the main points of this automotive? We’ll be proper up entrance in saying, for now not less than, issues are skinny. Very skinny. The Prelude reveal got here on the very finish of Honda’s presentation of ideas for the present, and the dialogue did not embrace any particulars concerning the powertrain. Really, the dialogue did not embrace particulars interval, save for a hat tip that it is designed to mix electrification and driving pleasure for future Honda enjoyable. Take that as you’ll.

8 Photographs

Whereas Honda leaves us hanging on info concerning the Prelude Idea, our eyes see a car that does not actually seem like an idea. The face is not too far faraway from a Civic, save for the dearth of an higher grille. Physique traces are symmetrical however not blocky, and Brembo brakes are seen behind factory-styled 20-inch wheels. There are correct facet mirrors instead of cameras, and a skinny but distinguished spoiler adorns the fastback. The one features that scream idea are the utterly black home windows, suggesting there is not a lot to see inside.

So, the million-dollar query now’s, will Honda really construct it? Once more, the corporate is being very coy with particulars proper now, however Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe shared some attention-grabbing remarks following the Prelude’s unveiling. Highlighting the corporate’s dedication to future sports activities fashions talked about in 2022, he mentioned this idea “will develop into the prelude for our future mannequin which is able to inherit the ‘pleasure of driving’ into the full-fledged electrified future and embody Honda’s unalterable sports activities mindset.” Notice that prelude right here is lower-case, serving not because the title of this automotive however as a basis for future Honda efficiency autos.

Frankly, Honda might do worse than revive a storied efficiency nameplate from its previous. Launching in 1978, the first-generation Prelude introduced sporty front-wheel-drive efficiency to the world. It was the primary Honda to function a moonroof, and when it lastly exited the scene in 2001, the Prelude provided a most output of 217 horsepower in Japan and 200 hp within the US.

It could be odd for the next-generation Prelude will take a step again when it comes to output, so hopefully Honda suits it with a extra highly effective hybrid setup than the present Accord’s 204-hp powertrain. Moreover, the automaker hasn’t constructed a manual-transmission hybrid for the reason that CR-Z that ended manufacturing in 2016, however perhaps this sporty coupe is a perfect testbed for the return of a DIY gearbox in an electrified automotive. Make it occur, Honda.

Take a look at Motor1.com’s Rambling About Automobiles podcast for extra concerning the Prelude Idea and different debuts from the Japan Mobility Present, out there beneath on YouTube.