Buyers that grew up in the 1980s and 1990s will have fond memories of the Honda Prelude. The Prelude first appeared in 1978, but the model didn’t get its mojo until the 80s and the 90s when it transformed into an attractive, sporty, and capable two-door coupe. Weakening sales and the early rise in SUV demand forced Honda to stop producing it in 2001, but it appears that Honda is at least exploring a revival with the all-new Prelude concept.
Hybrid Powertrain Hides Beneath Prelude’s Sleek Bodywork
Honda’s announcement at the Japan Mobility Show was sparse on formal details, with the company only revealing that it is a hybrid vehicle and that it is the latest in a growing pool of hybrids that’s trying to inject actual driving fun into the art of saving the planet. The lack of clarity aside, it’s obvious that Honda designers were going for a futuristic look with the reborn Prelude. The front end shares some family connection with the Honda Civic (older Preludes were based on the Honda Accord), and the sleek blacked-out wheels hide Brembo brakes. The rear of the car slopes downwards towards the trunk-mounted spoiler and the sleek taillights, which are all a nod to older Prelude models. The mirrors ditch fancy camera mirrors for conventional ones, which suggests that the company is possibly preparing this car for sale in markets where the tech is outlawed (i.e. the U.S.)
The interior is hidden behind blacked-out windows, and it’s a strong possibility that this concept is a roller with no formal cabin. However, once Honda gets around to putting that particular item in, look for the cabin to have a strong resemblance to current Honda models with a large air vent piece moving from one end of the dashboard to the other, as well as other core items that we have seen with current Honda models.
When Will We See A Production Prelude Model?
The other unanswered question is whether Honda will go all-in like a Double Jeopardy category on the aforementioned gameshow and produce the Prelude. Honda reps at the Japan Mobility Show didn’t give a formal confirmation and didn’t move beyond corporate buzzwords, saying that the concept is a spearhead for future Honda green products. In our opinion, we could see the Prelude coupe emerge as a sporty alternative for buyers who want a green vehicle but aren’t ready to embrace a blocky, fully electric CUV like the Prologue. Time is the key player here, and we’ll have to wait a while to get a better idea of what Honda’s intentions are.
Update: Honda released a brief statement after the publication of this story to clarify that the Prelude is a hybrid model and will not be a full EV concept.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.