The Honda Prelude has been a history maker since it first arrived in 1978. This front-wheel-drive sports coupe was the first Japanese model to have automatic sunroof and ABS. It’s also the world’s first car to have 4-wheel steering. In 2001, Honda discontinued the Prelude due to changing market demands. But after 24 years, the icon is back, and is scheduled for global release in September.
Honda says that it anchored the resurrection of the all-new Prelude to its “ultimate glide” concept, which it defines as something inspired by gliders soaring in the sky. Honda underscored this statement with a teaser page it created to preview what’s about to come. For Honda, this concept translates to a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, and it sees the Prelude as the right model to channel these into reality.
The Prelude’s design boasts sleek and long proportions. It heads the way with an aerodynamic front end, low and wide stance, accented by black trims and distinctive lighting fixtures. One standout exterior detail, which Honda mentioned, is the unique headlight design. The brand shares that it took inspiration from the gliders. It didn’t say as to why, but it could be from how the gliders look visually dynamic as they fly – fast, free, and action-oriented but not overly aggressive.
The “ultimate glide” concept is also seen – and felt – inside the all-new Prelude. It features subdued colors, and blue and white accents. Soft touch materials on the dash and other panels are plenty. Being a sports coupe, Honda gave the driver some extras to enjoy. These include a seat that better supports the driver in high spirited driving, a low and wide line of sight, D-shaped steering wheel, and Prelude-exclusive instrument displays.
And now, for the powerplant. Unfortunately, Honda didn’t disclose much information about what’s under the hood, other than it now comes with the brand’s e:HEV system, meaning that the sports coupe will be Honda’s newest model to go hybrid. Honda says that going the e:HEV way for the Prelude will position it as a kind of benchmark for future Honda specialty sports models in the fast-evolving electrification era.
While hybridization may sound a little off-putting for longtime fans of the Prelude and the petrol purists, perhaps this additional info may enlighten. According to a post by our sister website, Autocar UK, the all-new Honda Prelude may likely sport an engine that’s shared by the Honda Civic hybrid, that being the 2.0-liter e:HEV engine which puts out over 180 hp. In other words, the upcoming Honda Prelude may be, in essence, a sportier 2-door version of the Honda Civic RS e:HEV, which is currently available here in the Philippines.
Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. or HCPI has yet to comment if it will bring in the all-new Prelude in the near future. Do note that HCPI has no record of ever officially selling the Prelude here in the country. Could the global arrival of the all-new Honda Prelude be the right timing HCPI is looking for? We’ll soon find out.
