After revealing a show-stopping idea model final yr, Honda has introduced it will launch the Sixth technology of its legendary Prelude sports activities coupe in late 2025.
That nameplate has stood for a enjoyable time behind the wheel for driving fanatics because the authentic Prelude debuted in 1978.
Honda timed this announcement to coincide with its twenty fifth yr within the enterprise of creating hybrid automobiles. When the Honda Perception arrived on US shores in 1999, it was the primary hybrid out there in North America, and predated the ultra-popular Toyota Prius by seven months. This silver jubilee is an enormous deal certainly: the Prelude will even get a hybrid powertrain.
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Honda is eager to spotlight the subsequent Prelude’s mission of advancing the “pleasure of driving,” and the corporate’s mission to “supply quite a lot of exhilarating merchandise to fulfill the wants of our clients.”
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Bringing again the Prelude after a niche of greater than 20 years means contending with a storied historical past and excessive expectations. This beloved mannequin launched many a passionate driver to modern options tailored for an attractive expertise.
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Again within the late 90s, Honda provided the Prelude Sort S with Sequential Sportshift, which allow you to manually upshift and downshift by way of the automated transmission. That mannequin additionally obtained an Lively Torque Switch System, which managed how a lot energy was delivered to every wheel in actual time – enhancing dealing with and bettering cornering.
We do not have a number of specs that can give us a greater sense of what Honda intends to pack into this reimagined traditional coupe. What we do know is that the Prelude idea appears modern as hell, and can get an all new ‘S+ Shift’ function that can “simulate the sound and really feel of fast automated gear modifications – serving to to ship the mannequin’s good steadiness of exhilarating driving pleasure.”
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Autotrader notes this will probably be a two-motor hybrid just like the Civic and Accord. The Fifth-gen Prelude made 217 hp, and the present mannequin yr hybrid Accord dishes out 204 hp – so it is possible that the brand new coupe will slot in someplace round these numbers. Automobile and Driver estimates it will price between US$31,000 and $38,000.
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Whereas Honda has been making likeable automobiles currently, it is presently in a tricky spot, having lower world manufacturing capability by 10% this yr. It is trying to enter a merger with Nissan (and presumably Mitsubishi as properly) in a bid to stave off fierce competitors from Tesla and Chinese language automakers like BYD.
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Nonetheless, if it performs its playing cards proper, Honda may earn just a few wins in 2025, with the good-looking Passport and this little magnificence.
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Here is hoping the Prelude will get a bit extra energy to contend sportingly in opposition to the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Toyota GR86 subsequent yr.
Supply: Honda
