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New Delhi: Honda has officially brought back the Prelude nameplate in Japan, kicking off sales on September 5. The two-door 2+2 coupe returns after a 24-year break with a hybrid powertrain, Civic Type R-inspired underpinnings, and a design brief that aims to feel like gliding through air. The company frames this car as a prelude to more electrified specialty models in the coming years.
We spent the morning combing through Honda’s launch brief and follow-up reports. The short version is simple. This is a modern grand tourer with a 200 hp hybrid setup, simulated gearshifts for drama, and a cabin focused on clean sightlines and low-effort daily use. The long version is below.
Honda says the new Prelude embodies an “Unlimited Glide” concept with a low nose, smooth surfacing, and a wide stance. The coupe borrows chassis hardware from the Civic Type R, then pairs it with a two-motor e:HEV system. It is Honda’s first hybrid sports coupe and also the first Prelude to return since domestic production ended in 2001.
In Japan, the Prelude launches with a manufacturer’s suggested price of 6,179,800 yen. Honda targets around 300 units a month and will even place cars in dealership rental fleets so younger buyers can try before they buy. A North America launch is slated for late 2025, with Europe in the first half of 2026.
The headline figure is 200 hp from a combination of a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and an AC synchronous permanent-magnet motor. Peak engine output is listed at 141 hp and 134 lb-ft, while the motor is rated at 181 hp and 232 lb-ft from 0 to 2,000 rpm. Honda uses its e:HEV direct-drive hybrid logic, which does not rely on a stepped mechanical gearbox.
To keep the theatre alive, Honda adds S+ Shift. It manages engine rpm and motor output to simulate quick upshifts and rev-matched downshifts through the speakers and meter cluster, with paddle control on the wheel. It is not a manual, and there is no conventional automatic in the spec sheet, but the simulated shift mapping is designed to tighten the link between driver inputs and power delivery.
The Prelude rides on a Civic Type R-inspired toolkit. You get a dual-axis strut front suspension for cleaner steering under power, an adaptive damper system, variable-ratio steering, and larger front Brembo brakes for fade resistance. Honda’s Agile Handling Assist expands its operating range to support stability even during emergency maneuvers. Three main drive modes are on board, named Sport, GT and Comfort, with an Individual mode that lets you tune powertrain, steering, suspension, display, engine sound, and adaptive cruise behavior.
Honda cites 23.6 km per litre in local testing for fuel economy. No curb weight figure yet. Given the hybrid hardware, expect a heavier footprint than a pure ICE coupe and a grand-touring bias over track sprints. Think fast A-roads more than time attack.
Outside, the car uses laser brazing to smooth the roof, flush door handles, and a low hood that sharpens its stance. The lighting design stretches wide, with adaptive beams and active cornering lights. Inside, the dash is kept low with a flat-bottom wheel, alloy paddles, and exclusive full-graphic meters. Front seats are split in purpose. The driver’s seat holds you tightly, the passenger’s seat leans into comfort. It remains a 2+2, and the liftback cargo area is surprisingly usable with a 60-40 split rear bench. Honda even calls out space for two medium suitcases, or a pair of golf bags, or two shortboards under 1,920 mm.
A 9-inch Honda Connect display runs Google built-in for Assistant, Maps and Play, so app life slides over neatly. An 8-speaker Bose premium setup with dynamic speed compensation is standard. Honda Sensing comes fitted with the familiar suite, including adaptive cruise with low-speed follow, lane assist, traffic jam assist, blind spot information, cross traffic monitor, and more. The coupe adds a Prelude-specific tuning for smoother interventions.
If you were hoping for a manual, that ship has sailed. What you do get is a compact grand tourer tuned to be light on effort, with real hardware underneath and simulated shifts to add a bit of drama on the way to work. The Civic Type R DNA in the chassis is the tell. This should feel planted, quick enough, and easy to live with, which is probably the point of a modern Prelude.
