Honda announced on December 17th the return of the iconic Prelude model to the U.S. market, this time as a new sports coupe with hybrid-electric technology.
When will the Honda Prelude arrive in the U.S.?
The automotive company announced that its new hybrid-electric sports car will be available in the U.S. by the end of 2025.
In the 1970s, the first three models in the Honda lineup were the Civic, Accord, and Prelude, and soon, these three vehicles will reunite in the passenger car lineup, now in hybrid versions.
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What is the Honda Prelude like?
The new and sophisticated Prelude will feature the Honda S+ Shift, an innovative driving mode that further optimizes linear shift control, providing a superior driving experience while keeping the tradition of the Prelude line alive.
The hybrid-electric concept of the new Honda made its North American debut at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, following its world premiere at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. This launch comes 45 years after the first generation of the Prelude began production in November 1978.
A model highly appreciated by automotive enthusiasts, the sports coupe pioneered the introduction of innovative technologies in both Honda’s lineup and the automotive industry. Throughout its five generations, it featured advanced characteristics such as four-wheel steering (4WS) and the active torque transfer system with torque vectoring (ATTS).
How much does the new Honda cost?
The new Honda Prelude will be priced around 37,000 euros.
How many Honda Preludes are there?
Throughout its history, the model went through five different generations: the first from 1978 to 1982, the second from 1983 to 1987, the third from 1987 to 1991, the fourth from 1991 to 1996, and the fifth and final generation was produced between 1996 and 2001.
How much fuel does a Honda Prelude consume?
It consumes between 7.3 l/100 km and 12.6 l/100 km.
How rare is the Honda Prelude?
Between 1997 and 2001, only 58,000 units of the fifth-generation Honda Prelude were sold, with only 10,000 of those being 2001 models. This makes the Honda Prelude a rare sight on the streets.
What engine does the Honda Prelude have?
The Honda Prelude of that time made a great impression when it was revealed in the fall of 1996. Equipped with a 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder engine delivering 195 horsepower, along with a variable valve timing system and a 7,400 rpm redline, it offered great performance to its users.
Honda Electric Cars
Hybrid-electric vehicles are key to Honda’s electrification strategy, which aims to equip its core models with hybrid-electric propulsion systems. In 2024, the brand achieved a record in electric vehicle sales, now representing more than a quarter of its total sales.
Currently, hybrid-electric models account for more than 50% of Accord and CR-V sales, and the newly launched Civic Hybrid is expected to represent around 40% of the Civic’s sales.
At CES 2024, Honda unveiled two prototypes from its Series 0: the Saloon and the Space-Hub. The Saloon, which will become the flagship model of the series, is expected to be available as a production model in 2026 and will be manufactured at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
Additionally, Honda plans to launch seven more models from the Series 0 globally by 2030, covering a range of sizes from small to large.
