Update (December 25, 2024): ‘Powertrain’ and ‘Release Date & Pricing’ updated.
Honda is working on bringing back the iconic Prelude nameplate as a hybrid coupe. I was excited about the prospects of its return seeing the gorgeous near-production concept displayed in Los Angeles last year (is my enthusiasm evident in the exclusive images featured in this story?), and here’s everything we’ve learned about the project.
Design


Honda has the low-roof market covered with the Civic and Accord, so the Prelude doesn’t have to focus on space or practicality. It can be more about driving fun, hard acceleration, and excitement.
In fact, that is the thinking at Honda, with designers having taken almost every part of the concept into production, as evidenced by these recent spy photographs from Germany. The sleek and aerodynamic design will pay homage to the Prelude’s classic coupe silhouette.


Best Car Web expects the Prelude to measure 169.3 inches in length, 70.5 inches in width, and 51.2 inches in height, with a 101.4-inch wheelbase. For reference, the U.S.-spec Civic measures 184.0 inches in length, 70.9 inches in width, 55.7 inches in height, with a 107.7-inch wheelbase. These dimensions position the Prelude as a sports coupe, ideal for navigating both the metros and winding roads.
Interior

The concept unveiled in Los Angeles last year didn’t show its interior, but I expect it to be a modern and driver-focused cabin. I expect at least a 9-inch infotainment system that runs Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, and the latest Honda Sensing safety suite. I would also be interested to see if Honda Racing Corporation develops post-production option packages for Prelude customers who want more from their vehicles.
Interestingly, Honda Large Project Chief Engineer, Tomoyuki Yamagami, told Carsguide at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show that the Prelude will have a second row of seats (read ‘usable’), which I think will make it more practical than the GR86, Supra, or the BRZ, the popular models in this bodystyle.
Powertrain

Under the hood, the next-gen Prelude is expected to house a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with Honda’s e:HEV two-motor hybrid system. This powertrain combination is projected to deliver a combined output of 210 hp, surpassing the output of both the Accord and Civic hybrids. All that Honda has confirmed in this aspect so far is that it will use its e:HEV two-motor hybrid powertrain in the all-new Prelude.
Honda S+ Shift
Honda is not planning a manual transmission and is instead reworking the existing Hybrid CVT for drivers to feel downshifts, as reported by MotorTrend, shortly after speaking to Shinji Ayoyama, the Global Executive Vice President of Honda. The Japanese automaker recently announced it will debut its new ‘Honda S+ Shift’ technology in the all-new Prelude.
Honda S+ Shift replicates the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes. It precisely controls the engine speed when the car speeds up or slows down for responsiveness and sharp gear shifting. The driver will be able to change the gears via paddle shifters.

Honda’s Active Sound Control (ASC) system will regenerate the sound through the speakers according to the speed of the car to further amp up the feeling of being connected to the car, although purists may not appreciate the artificially enhanced engine notes.
Yamagami told CarsGuide that the new Prelude won’t be a track tool, and that to play the role of a global model, it will be built in LHD and RHD guises. And going by Best Car Web’s report of a continuously variable transmission paired to the hybrid system, I’m hoping that engineers recalibrate the CVT to be responsive and fun to use.
Release Date & Pricing

Honda plans to launch the all-new Prelude hybrid sports coupe in the U.S. in late 2025, possibly for the 2026 model year.
Also see: 5 minor features on the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid that you probably missed!
Pricing details are under wraps, but I expect the Prelude to be positioned as a premium sports coupe, with a starting price north of USD 35,000, sandwiching the GR86 and GR Supra.