As opposed to the Prelude of the past with IC engines, Honda Prelude nameplate is being resurrected as a sporty electric coupe
Who doesn’t like a comeback story? From the house of Hondawe have seen nameplate resurrections like Acura Integra, revived into a 4-door modern sedan. At Japan Mobility Show, Honda resurrected another nameplate. Although, not under Acura brand. We’re talking about Honda Prelude revived into a modern 2-door electric coupe.
Honda Prelude Nameplate Revived
If you can recall, Honda Prelude is one of the most popular Honda vehicles of the past and has quite a cult following among enthusiasts. It was a compact 2-door coupe-style vehicle that offered good drive dynamics. Now, Honda is bringing back Prelude nameplate with a larger 2-door coupe-styled electric car.
At 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Honda was expected to have a wild card showcase in the form of NSX hybrid supercar replacement. But in reality, it was Prelude concept, brought back into modern era after a long absence. Company revealed that it has launch intentions with Prelude concept, with production-spec model in development.
Unlike Prelude of the past, this new-age Honda Prelude concept is an electric vehicle. Even without an IC engine, Honda promises ‘joy of driving’ with Prelude along with ‘extraordinary excitement, never felt before’. Finer details like battery chemistry, motor performance and layout, EV architecture were still under wraps.
Looks like a Toyota and goes like a Porsche?
Honda has gone with a rather clean design with slightly larger proportions, especially when compared to Prelude of the past. Cars have become bigger in recent times and this is as true as water being wet. Even a quintessentially small car like a Mini is not so mini anymore.
Also, Honda called Prelude Concept at 2023 Japan Mobility Show as a ‘sporty’ model and not a sportscar. That said, it does look like one. Speaking of looks, Honda Prelude Concept has a fascia that will not look out of place on a modern Toyota, including the new Prius and especially BZ series.
There are interesting-looking headlight designs along with a wide LED DRL bar connecting the two headlights. Honda badge sits proudly above LED DRL and in the lower bumper, there is a gloss black section along with a thin vertical strip finished in Blue. There are gloss black alloy wheels and blue brake callipers, screaming performance credentials.
Small ORVMs, flush door handles and coupe roofline are notable elements. However, the way this roof slopes towards the end reminds us of Porsches. But there are only so many ways to achieve a coupe design. Same can’t be said about Prelude concept’s rear section where semblance with Porsche design is more evident.
Especially in the way this sleek 3-piece LED tail light bar extends the width of this vehicle, Honda badging above this light bar and Prelude written in cursive. Honda hasn’t shown interiors of this concept vehicle yet. Production model is likely to launch in markets like Japan, North America and maybe even Europe.
