On September 5, Honda released official images of the all-new Prelude. The new model will be equipped with a 2.0L e:HEV hybrid system and is the first car to combine Honda’s dual-motor hybrid powertrain with the high-performance chassis of the Civic Type R, with an emphasis on “driving pleasure.” The Prelude is scheduled to launch in 2025, first in Japan, Europe, and North America. If it enters the Chinese market, its rivals will include the Toyota 86 and Ford Mustang.
Exterior: The production version of the new Prelude largely preserves the concept car’s styling, adopting Honda’s family design language. It features a slim dual-layer front grille connected to upward-angled headlights, a rectangular lower intake, and side air ducts forming an “X”-shaped fascia, delivering a sharp and aggressive look. The sporty front lip further highlights its coupe identity.
From the side, the Prelude has a sleek two-door silhouette with a long front overhang, flowing lines, and large blacked-out wheels for a strong performance feel. Expected dimensions are 4,300 mm in length, 1,791 mm in width, 1,300 mm in height, and a 2,576 mm wheelbase—close to the Toyota GR86. At the rear, slim贯穿式 LED taillights are paired with Honda branding and the model name, reminiscent of the Porsche 911. The rear diffuser enhances its sporty stance.
Interior: The cabin offers a blue-and-white or all-black theme, continuing Honda’s clean, driver-focused layout with a low dashboard and slim A-pillars for improved visibility. Sport front seats feature heating, houndstooth patterns, asymmetrical bolsters, and “Prelude” logos on the headrests. The 2+2 seating layout allows the rear bench to fold down, with a hatchback tailgate balancing practicality and sportiness. Surfaces are wrapped in cloud-pattern synthetic leather, while technology highlights include a 10.2-inch digital cluster, 9-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto/Google services, three years of data, and an 8-speaker Bose system with Super65 wide-range speakers and a subwoofer.
Powertrain: The new Prelude shares its setup with the Civic e:HEV, combining a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle engine with dual motors for a system output of 200 hp.
Legacy: First introduced in 1978, the Prelude has been one of Honda’s most iconic coupes. Across five generations, it pioneered technologies such as CVCC engines, four-wheel steering, and VTEC, with the fourth generation (1991–1996) achieving peak global sales of 85,000 units. However, demand for sports coupes declined in the early 2000s, leading to its discontinuation in 2001. Now, the all-new Prelude returns as a “front-wheel-drive sports car for the electrified era,” positioned against the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ.
