Honda will fully redesign its sports coupe, the Prelude, and announce its release on September 4, 2025, marking its revival after 24 years! The price is 6,179,800 yen. The lineup also includes the limited-edition online-only ” PRELUDE Honda ON Limited Edition ,” priced at 6,481,000 yen.
The new Prelude will be the first hybrid vehicle (equipped with the next-generation e:HEV) . The concept model “PRELUDE Concept,” unveiled on October 25, 2023, generated a lot of buzz around the world. It has since been unveiled at motor shows around the world, including the Japan Mobility Show, the Los Angeles Auto Show, and the Goodwood Festival of Speed, raising expectations. Originally scheduled for release at the end of 2024, it has now been decided that it will be released in the fall of 2025 .
At Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 (held at Makuhari Messe from January 10th to 12th, 2025), a Prelude Prototype that is even closer to the production model will be unveiled for the first time. What kind of car will the new Prelude be? We’ll give you a thorough explanation.
Prelude full model change summary
Exterior
- It adopts the latest design and has a larger body size.
- The thin headlights, low hood, and LED light bar give the impression of a low center of gravity.
- The rear has a horizontal tail lamp.
interior
- Equipped with the latest 10.25-inch full LCD digital meter.
- Equipped with electric parking brake and auto brake hold.
- The large infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Equipped with a BOSE premium sound system.
- The large moonroof creates an open interior space.
Powertrain
- Adopts a hybrid system (equipped with next-generation e:HEV).
- A 2.0L gasoline engine and two electric motors produce a total of 200 horsepower and 315 Nm of torque.
- Based on the Civic Hybrid system, it has a more powerful specification.
- Adopts Honda S+ Shift technology that controls the engine and motor to improve responsiveness
safety equipment
- The latest advanced safety driving support system, “Honda SENSING,” is standard equipment.
- It is equipped with numerous functions, including collision mitigation braking, road departure prevention, and false start prevention.
price
- 6,179,800 yen to 6,481,000 yen (tax included).
Rival models
- Nissan Fairlady Z
- Toyota GR Supra
About the exterior of the new Honda Prelude
Honda Prelude Concept
The new Prelude’s exterior features a cutting-edge design. The body size has been enlarged, and the thin headlights and low-slung hood with an LED light bar create the impression of a low center of gravity. The rear features horizontally connected taillights. The car is 4,520mm long, 1,880mm wide, 1,355mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,605mm, and weighs 1,460kg.
New red Honda Prelude to be unveiled at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024
In Europe, the car will be unveiled to the public at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, which will be held from July 11th to 14th, 2024.
From this angle, it looks like a Porsche.
On the right is the first generation Prelude, model year 1979-1982.
Honda New “Prelude” Exterior Body Color
You can choose from four colors, including the new Moonlight White Pearl.
- Moonlit White Pearl
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Flame Red
About the interior of the new Honda Prelude
Honda Prelude
Current Civic Type R
The interior dashboard uses a 10.25-inch full LCD digital meter similar to that of the Civic Type R , giving the car an overall clean, modern impression. The center console is positioned higher than in the Civic, and instead of the shift lever found in a typical automatic car, the driving controls are grouped together. In particular, a dedicated button for “S+Shift” mode is prominently positioned; using this changes the engine sound and acceleration feel, allowing you to experience a simulated gear change, making driving feel even more dramatic.
Honda Prelude
The large infotainment system is equipped with a 9-inch Honda CONNECT display powered by Google, allowing you to use the same functions you’re used to using on your smartphone in your car. With Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play, and more, your journey in the car and your daily life are seamlessly connected, creating a more personalized driving experience. Furthermore, the large moonroof creates an open, unobtrusive interior space.
It features an electric parking brake and auto brake hold. It also features a BOSE premium sound system, and the digital meter, touchscreen infotainment screen, and air conditioning control panel will be familiar to anyone who has driven a Civic, but the air conditioning vents are shaped more like those in the Integra. The door linings are large and equipped with coupe-style armrests, and the front seats have integrated headrests and protruding support, giving the Prelude’s interior a sportier, more special, almost custom-made feel. While the rear seat space may appear cramped at first glance, opening the hatchback-style rear doors reveals ample space for luggage.
Honda Prelude
A unique feature of this Prelude is the different seat designs for the driver and passenger. According to Honda, the driver’s seat is designed to provide firm support for the body during sporty driving. On the other hand, the passenger seat prioritizes comfort, with a softer shape and cushion. Ease of entry and exit has also been taken into consideration, with soft materials used for the side sills where your feet come into contact when getting into the car, and the door shape has been designed to prevent your feet from hitting them.
The interior, at least in the pre-production model, is a combination of white and navy blue. Parts of the front seats are covered in retro houndstooth fabric, which, combined with the leather, creates a nostalgic feel. In contrast, the rear seats are finished entirely in black, a practical choice given how often the back seats are used.
Honda’s new “Prelude” interior color
- Blue x White
- Blue x Black
Honda’s new “Prelude” engine specs forecast
The powertrain employs a hybrid system, but also employs Honda S+ Shift, a technology that controls the engine and motor to improve responsiveness. Even in the e:HEV, which does not have a mechanical transmission mechanism, when Honda S+ Shift is activated, gear changes can be made using paddles, creating a driving feel that is just like shifting through stepped gears.
e:HEV with two electric motors and a 2.0L gasoline engine
The Prelude will be powered by the e:HEV, which combines the two electric motors found in the Civic Hybrid with a 2.0L gasoline engine, with an engine output of 104kW (141ps) / 18.6kgm and a motor output of 135kW (184ps) / 32.1kgm. However, this is more powerful than the e:HEV in the Japanese model that will be released in the US and other countries , and is expected to be the most powerful version of the Civic currently available, excluding the Type R, with a total of 200hp (149kW / 203PS) and 315Nm of torque .
Honda’s new “Prelude” features the advanced safety driving support system “Honda SENSING”
The latest advanced safety driving support system, Honda SENSING, comes as standard.
Honda SENSING is a system that consists of two different types of sensors: a millimeter-wave radar installed in the front grille and a monocular camera installed inside the upper part of the windshield. This system not only detects the position and speed of target objects, but also pedestrians, who are considered difficult to detect due to their low radio wave reflectivity.
Key Features
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
activates when there is a speed difference of more than 5km/h between the vehicle and pedestrian ahead when traveling at a speed of more than 5km/h, and when there is an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian traveling at a speed of less than 80km/h. It uses millimeter-wave radar and a camera to detect vehicles ahead, oncoming vehicles, and pedestrians, and if there is a risk of collision, it warns the driver with a visual and audible warning, and activates the emergency brakes if necessary. Depending on the vehicle model, it may also be equipped with a warning via vibration of the reactive force pedal, or an E-pretensioner that works in conjunction with CMBS to strongly retract the seatbelt.
The lane departure prevention function
uses a camera to detect lane departure, and if the vehicle is about to deviate from its lane, it will warn the driver with a warning display and vibration, and will also intervene in the steering operation. Depending on the degree of deviation, it may also apply the brakes.
If a vehicle ahead or an obstacle is close to the vehicle, the system
detects it using millimeter-wave radar in front and corner sensors in the rear, and if the accelerator pedal is operated too hard, the system will prevent the vehicle from starting and will display and warn the driver. It operates when the vehicle is stopped or at a speed of approximately 10 km/h or less.
Pedestrian Accident Reduction Steering
When driving at speeds between approximately 10km/h and 40km/h, if radar and cameras detect a deviation from the road shoulder or lane, or a collision with a pedestrian, the system will issue a warning and then apply steering control.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
is a system that automatically follows the detected distance and speed difference from the vehicle ahead within a set speed range of approximately 30km/h to approximately 100km/h. Certain vehicle models are equipped with a traffic jam following function (approximately 0km/h to approximately 100km/h) that can follow at low speeds and stop.
Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
controls the steering to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane detected by the camera. If the vehicle deviates from the lane, a visual and vibration warning is given.
Leading vehicle departure notification function
If the driver remains stopped at an intersection or other location without noticing that the vehicle ahead has started to move, the system will alert the driver with a visual and audible warning.
Road
signs are read by the camera and displayed on the display to alert the driver.
A dedicated camera for auto high beam
detects the headlights of oncoming vehicles and the taillights of vehicles in front, and automatically switches between high beam and low beam to ensure visibility.
Adaptive Driving Beam
Detects the position of preceding and oncoming vehicles and automatically controls the illumination range.
Rearward false start prevention function:
When the vehicle is stopped or reversing at a speed of 10 km/h or less, the system detects obstacles in the immediate vicinity directly behind the vehicle and prevents the vehicle from suddenly starting forward.
Short-distance collision mitigation brake system:
Helps avoid collisions and reduce damage caused by overlooking obstacles such as walls.
Traffic Jam Assist (Traffic Jam Driving Assistance Function)
Assists with accelerator, brake and steering operations to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead at speeds between 0km/h and approximately 65km/h and keep the vehicle in its lane, reducing the burden on the driver.
Honda SENSING supports safe and comfortable driving with these advanced technologies.
Honda’s new “Prelude” price and grade
The base price of the new Prelude is 6,179,800 yen. The lineup also includes the limited edition ” PRELUDE Honda ON Limited Edition ,” available only online, priced at 6,540,000 yen.
New Prelude price list
| Model/grade | Vehicle price (tax included) | remarks |
| PRELUDE | 6,179,800 yen | |
| PRELUDE Honda ON Limited Edition | 6,540,000 yen | Limited quantity / Online only |
What are the rival models of the new Honda Prelude?
The Prelude’s rivals include the Nissan Fairlady Z and Toyota GR Supra . The Fairlady Z will be priced from 5,241,500 yen to 6,966,300 yen, while the GR Supra will be priced from 4,995,000 yen to 7,313,000 yen. If the predicted prices are as expected, they will be attractive models.
About Honda’s “PRELUDE Concept”
Honda’s new “Prelude Concept” is a larger, two-door coupe sports model. Its sporty design and performance ensure Honda’s “joy of driving” continues into the era of electrification. Honda is a company that values the creation of sporty vehicles. The name “PRELUDE” means “prelude” or “pioneer.” This special sports model continues Honda’s “joy of driving” into the era of electrification. While previous “Prelude” models were known as compact two-door coupes, the new concept is larger. The front features an LED light bar and two sharp headlights. The lower bumper is decorated with a black mesh pattern and features small vertical blue design elements. The sides feature small black wing mirrors, flush door handles, and angular rocker panels. Honda has used gloss black wheels and blue brake calipers to demonstrate its performance. The car’s roofline tapers rapidly towards the rear, which is characterised by a full-width LED light bar, a black lip spoiler and a gloss black bumper.
About the Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude is a two-door notchback coupe passenger car that was produced and sold from 1978 to 2001. Below we will introduce the features of each generation.
First generation SN type (1978-1982)
- First released : November 24, 1978
- Features : This two-door notchback coupe was released for the first time in 3 years and 11 months since the 145 Coupe was discontinued in December 1974. Sales were better outside of Japan than in Japan, and of the total production of approximately 313,000 units, approximately 80% were for overseas markets.
Second generation AB/BA1 type (1982-1987)
- Released : November 26, 1982
- Catchphrase : “FF Super Voltage”
- Features : The front suspension used double wishbones, and combined with the retractable headlights, the engine hood was lower than the previous model. The rear suspension used struts with reverse A-arms.
3rd generation BA4/5/7 type (1987-1991)
- Released : April 9, 1987
- Features : The design retained the same concept as its predecessor, and it continued to be a popular date car. The rear suspension was changed to a four-wheel double wishbone.
4th generation BA8/9/BB1/2/3/4 type (1991-1996)
- Released : September 20, 1991
- Tagline : “Futuristic Specialty”
- Features : The concept has been significantly changed, evolving from a specialty coupe to a sports coupe.
5th generation BB5/6/7/8 type (1996-2001)
- Released : November 7, 1996
- Features : A return to the lines of the third generation and earlier models, the interior space was improved as a specialty coupe. Vertically extending headlights were a distinctive feature, and the instrument panel was reverted to a more conventional type from the previous model’s visor-less futuristic design. A glass sunroof was also revived as an option.
In this way, each generation of the Prelude has evolved with the times, and its design and technology have changed, but it has consistently embodied Honda’s philosophy of creating sporty cars.
A word from the editorial department
The new Prelude has finally been unveiled! Its revival after 24 years and its first hybrid model are packed with information that will captivate both longtime fans and the new generation. With a sporty exterior, cutting-edge interior, and comprehensive safety features including Honda SENSING, it’s a car worthy of the name “Prelude,” as it’s packed with Honda technology and passion.
I can’t wait for the release on September 5, 2025!
We will continue to provide you with the latest information, so please stay tuned!
Honda news release
https://global.honda/jp/news/2023/c231025.html
