Honda Prelude Revived as a Hybrid-Electric Sports Coupe

Honda confirmed the return of its iconic Prelude nameplate, introducing an all-new hybrid-electric Prelude sports coupe. The sports car is set to hit the U.S. market in late 2024 and combines the brand’s performance heritage with new hybrid-electric technology. The Prelude's revival comes 45 years after the debut of its first generation, which entered production in November 1978. Known for its four-wheel steering (4WS) and the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS), the Prelude consistently pushed boundaries during its five-generation run. Honda appears committed to honouring this legacy with its hybrid-electric iteration.

The introduction of the hybrid-electric Prelude aligns with Honda's ambitious electrification goals. The upcoming Prelude will debut Honda's innovative S+ Shift drive mode, which advances the company’s Linear Shift Control technology. The company is targeting carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. It plans to make battery-electric and fuel-cell electric vehicles account for 100% of its global vehicle sales by 2040.

Honda has committed to equipping the Civic, Accord, and CR-V with hybrid-electric powertrains as part of this strategy. The Prelude will be another addition to Honda’s expanding hybrid lineup. Currently, more than 50 per cent of Honda's Accord and CR-V sales are hybrid trims, while the newly launched Civic Hybrid is projected to account for 40 per cent of Civic sales. This broader push towards hybridisation has already yielded significant results, with electrified vehicles now making up over 25 per cent of Honda’s total sales in 2024, a record year for the company. 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Honda’s hybrid vehicle sales in the U.S., a journey that began with the launch of the Honda Insight in 1999—the country’s first hybrid-electric model. Since then, Honda has sold over one million electrified vehicles. In 2023, the automaker also launched its first all-electric SUV, the Honda Prologue, as part of its continued efforts to diversify its electrified offerings.

Next year, Honda will take another leap forward with the start of production for its first EVs based on a new Honda-developed platform at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio. This facility will serve as a critical hub for the company's EV initiatives, which include plans to introduce seven Honda 0 Series models globally by 2030.