Honda Prelude Resurfaces as an Electrifying Concept

The Honda Prelude emerged in the late 1970s as a frontrunner in the world of compact sports coupes. Its sleek design and dynamic performance enthralled a generation of young drivers in pursuit of a well-crafted, spirited ride.

Beyond its pop-up headlights and standard automatic sunroof, the Prelude’s interiors were met with constant acclaim, a characteristic trait that loyal Honda enthusiasts have come to expect.

However, despite its comfort and performance features, such as four wheel steering, the Prelude came at a high price that often deterred buyers. The lack of a V6 engine option also caused sales to decline, leading to its discontinuation in 2001.

But now, after quite a hiatus, it seems the Prelude is back and possibly better than ever.

The New Honda Prelude — Electrified

After two decades in the automotive graveyard, the Honda Prelude is making a triumphant and somewhat unexpected return to the spotlight. Last week, the coveted sports coupe concept made its debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. And to no surprise, as a modernized, electric version of its past counterpart.

While this is expected as carmakers across the globe are racing to embrace electric technology, the revival of the Honda Prelude as an electric model marks a significant milestone for the brand. This strategic move signals Honda’s commitment to blending its storied history with a forward-thinking approach.

With its electrified comeback, the Prelude concept aims to capture the hearts of a new generation of drivers, weaving together the nostalgia of its legacy with the excitement of cutting-edge innovation. Although barely any details were revealed about this new EV, its very likely the concept will soon lead to production.

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe remarked, “Honda has always been committed to creating sporty vehicles. And the word ‘prelude’ means an ‘introductory or preceding performance.'”

This model will become the prelude for our future models which will inherit the ‘joy of driving’ into the full-fledged electrified future and embody Honda’s unalterable sports mindset.”

Clearly, this specialty sports car is set to ignite a new era of electric performance for the brand. Considering the possibility of history repeating itself, we can only hope this EV is at a more affordable offering.

Excitement met with skepticism

While the unveiling of the Prelude EV evokes a sense of excitement about the future of Honda, there is skepticism. GM and Honda recently called off their collaboration to create affordable electric vehicles, citing sluggish demand and shifting market conditions.

Initially, the collaboration was poised to leverage GM’s advanced Ultium battery technology. They aimed to introduce a lineup of cost-effective electric cars at a price point below $30,000. Was it ambitious? Most definitely, but the optimism was there to provide electric mobility on a larger scale, as early as 2027.

Fortunately, GM still plans to help build the anticipated 2024 Honda Prelude EV. In addition, the companies are also engaged in partnerships concerning hydrogen fuel cells and autonomous vehicles.

Catch the EV sports coupe unveiling here: