After unveiling a high-profile concept version last year, Honda has announced that the sixth generation of its legendary Prelude sports coupe will go on sale at the end of 2025.
This nameplate has been standing there for driving enthusiasts to have fun behind the wheel since the original Prelude debuted in 1978.
Honda made this announcement to coincide with the 25th anniversary of its hybrid vehicle manufacturing business. When the Honda Insight arrived in the United States in 1999, it was the first hybrid available in North America, seven months ahead of the ultra-popular Toyota Prius. This Silver Jubilee is certainly a big event. The Prelude will also be equipped with a hybrid powertrain.
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Honda says it wants to highlight the evolution of the next-generation Prelude’s “driving pleasure” and its mission to “respond to customer needs and provide a wide range of exhilarating products.”
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Bringing Prelude back after a gap of more than 20 years means coming up against a storied history and high expectations. This beloved model has introduced many passionate drivers to innovative features designed for an engaging experience.
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In the late 1990s, Honda offered the Prelude Type S with Sequential SportShift, which allowed manual upshifts and downshifts through the automatic transmission. The model also featured an active torque transfer system, which controlled the power delivered to each wheel in real time, enhancing handling and improving cornering.
There aren’t many specs that give us a better idea of what Honda intends to pack into this reimagined classic coupe. What we do know is that the Prelude concept is extremely sophisticated, “simulating the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes and providing the perfect balance of exhilarating driving pleasure for this model.” It is equipped with a completely new “S+ Shift” function that is useful. . ”
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Autotrader notes that this will be a two-motor hybrid similar to the Civic and Accord. The fifth-generation Prelude makes 217 horsepower, and the current hybrid Accord makes 204 horsepower, so the new coupe will likely be around those numbers. Car and Driver estimates it will cost between $31,000 and $38,000.
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Honda has been making likable cars lately, but they’re in a tough spot right now, having cut their global production capacity by 10% this year. The company is considering merging with Nissan Motor Co. (and perhaps Mitsubishi Motors as well) to avoid intense competition from Chinese automakers such as Tesla and BYD.
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Still, if they play their cards right, Honda could score some wins in 2025 with the handsome Passport and this little beauty.
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Next year, we hope the Prelude gets a little more power and can compete in a sporty way with the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86.
Source: Honda
