Honda Defies Market Trends with Hybrid Prelude Revival
Honda Motor Co. is set to reintroduce the Prelude, its iconic two-door coupe, as a hybrid model in late 2025, marking a significant return after a hiatus of over two decades. This move comes at a time when the global market for compact coupes is contracting, with consumer preferences shifting towards SUVs and crossovers.
The sixth-generation Prelude will feature Honda's e:HEV hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. This setup is expected to deliver a combined output of approximately 220 to 240 horsepower, offering a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The hybrid system aims to provide instant torque delivery, enhancing the vehicle's responsiveness and driving dynamics.
A notable innovation in the upcoming Prelude is the introduction of the 'Honda S+ Shift' mode. This feature allows drivers to simulate gear shifts using steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, despite the absence of a traditional transmission. The system is designed to enhance driver engagement by precisely controlling engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration, delivering a more interactive driving experience.
ADVERTISEMENT
The exterior design of the new Prelude closely mirrors the concept version unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. It maintains the sleek, aerodynamic lines characteristic of its predecessors, while incorporating modern design elements. The interior borrows components from the Civic hatchback, including a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument display, but with a sportier aesthetic to align with the Prelude's performance-oriented identity.
Safety and driver assistance technologies are integral to the new Prelude, with the inclusion of Honda's Sensing 360 Suite. This comprehensive system encompasses features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Blind-Spot Monitoring, aiming to enhance driver confidence and vehicle safety.
The decision to revive the Prelude as a hybrid coupe is part of Honda's broader strategy to bridge the gap between internal combustion engines and full electric vehicles. The company has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and aims for 100% of its sales to be electric vehicles by 2040. By reintroducing the Prelude with a hybrid powertrain, Honda seeks to cater to enthusiasts desiring a sporty driving experience while aligning with environmental objectives.
Pricing details for the new Prelude have not been officially announced. However, industry analysts anticipate a competitive pricing structure, with estimates ranging from $49,000 to $60,000, depending on trim levels and optional features. The vehicle is expected to be available in multiple trims, including EX, Touring, and Elite, offering varying levels of performance, luxury, and technology.
The reintroduction of the Prelude also reflects Honda's recognition of the enduring appeal of its legacy models. The original Prelude, produced from 1978 to 2001, garnered a dedicated following for its blend of performance, style, and innovation. By reviving the Prelude nameplate, Honda aims to tap into this nostalgia while attracting a new generation of drivers seeking a modern, eco-friendly sports coupe.
Despite the declining popularity of coupes in the current automotive market, Honda's commitment to the Prelude underscores its belief in the model's potential to resonate with consumers. The hybrid Prelude is poised to offer a unique proposition, combining the brand's engineering prowess with a nod to its storied past.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
3 days ago
- Arabian Post
Honda Defies Market Trends with Hybrid Prelude Revival
Honda Motor Co. is set to reintroduce the Prelude, its iconic two-door coupe, as a hybrid model in late 2025, marking a significant return after a hiatus of over two decades. This move comes at a time when the global market for compact coupes is contracting, with consumer preferences shifting towards SUVs and crossovers. The sixth-generation Prelude will feature Honda's e:HEV hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with dual electric motors. This setup is expected to deliver a combined output of approximately 220 to 240 horsepower, offering a balance between performance and fuel efficiency. The hybrid system aims to provide instant torque delivery, enhancing the vehicle's responsiveness and driving dynamics. A notable innovation in the upcoming Prelude is the introduction of the 'Honda S+ Shift' mode. This feature allows drivers to simulate gear shifts using steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, despite the absence of a traditional transmission. The system is designed to enhance driver engagement by precisely controlling engine RPM during acceleration and deceleration, delivering a more interactive driving experience. ADVERTISEMENT The exterior design of the new Prelude closely mirrors the concept version unveiled at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. It maintains the sleek, aerodynamic lines characteristic of its predecessors, while incorporating modern design elements. The interior borrows components from the Civic hatchback, including a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument display, but with a sportier aesthetic to align with the Prelude's performance-oriented identity. Safety and driver assistance technologies are integral to the new Prelude, with the inclusion of Honda's Sensing 360 Suite. This comprehensive system encompasses features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Blind-Spot Monitoring, aiming to enhance driver confidence and vehicle safety. The decision to revive the Prelude as a hybrid coupe is part of Honda's broader strategy to bridge the gap between internal combustion engines and full electric vehicles. The company has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and aims for 100% of its sales to be electric vehicles by 2040. By reintroducing the Prelude with a hybrid powertrain, Honda seeks to cater to enthusiasts desiring a sporty driving experience while aligning with environmental objectives. Pricing details for the new Prelude have not been officially announced. However, industry analysts anticipate a competitive pricing structure, with estimates ranging from $49,000 to $60,000, depending on trim levels and optional features. The vehicle is expected to be available in multiple trims, including EX, Touring, and Elite, offering varying levels of performance, luxury, and technology. The reintroduction of the Prelude also reflects Honda's recognition of the enduring appeal of its legacy models. The original Prelude, produced from 1978 to 2001, garnered a dedicated following for its blend of performance, style, and innovation. By reviving the Prelude nameplate, Honda aims to tap into this nostalgia while attracting a new generation of drivers seeking a modern, eco-friendly sports coupe. Despite the declining popularity of coupes in the current automotive market, Honda's commitment to the Prelude underscores its belief in the model's potential to resonate with consumers. The hybrid Prelude is poised to offer a unique proposition, combining the brand's engineering prowess with a nod to its storied past.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Honda sees full-year profit down 59% as US tariffs bite, postpones Canada EV plans
Japan's Honda Motor forecast a 59% profit decrease in the current financial year and said it would put on hold a plan to build an EV supply chain in Canada, amid the uncertainty stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Japan's second-biggest automaker expects operating income to total 500 billion yen ($3.38 billion) in the year to March 31, 2026, versus 1.21 trillion yen in the year that just ended. Honda's forecast is the latest signal of the difficulty car makers are having navigating Trump's tariffs on foreign-made automobiles at the same time the industry is being hit by the rise of Chinese EV producers. Honda also said it would put on hold for "approximately two years" a plan announced in April 2024 to build an EV supply chain in Ontario, Canada. That decision was taken due to the current slowdown in EV demand, it said. Talks between Honda and Nissan to merge broke off earlier this year, although the two still have an agreement to cooperate on technology. Such tie-ups are seen as increasingly important for automakers to counter the threat from fast-moving EV companies, particularly in China. "Although the automotive industry is in a very difficult situation, we will definitely look for new directions of growth through strategic partnerships," Toshihiro Mibe, Honda's chief executive, told a news conference. He said there had been no development in the possible tie-up with Nissan since talks were scrapped in February. Honda expects a 650 billion yen hit to its fiscal 2026 operating profit from tariffs in various countries, of which 300 billion yen was due to their impact on imports of around 550,000 finished cars. The company projected it would be able to offset about 200 billion yen of the tariffs with efforts to mitigate its impact, it said in presentation materials.
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Khaleej Times
Nissan cut plants and workers as new CEO Espinosa takes axe to costs
Nissan Motor unveiled sweeping new cost cuts on Tuesday, saying it would eliminate 11,000 more jobs and close 7 plants, capping a tumultuous year that has left the Japanese automaker fighting to turn itself around. Nissan, which held off on releasing estimates for the financial year just starting, saw its profit almost wiped out in the one just ended. Operating profit totalled 69.8 billion yen ($472 million) in the 12 months to March, a decline of 88% from the previous year. The automaker has been badly damaged by weakening sales in the U.S. and China, and then saw merger talks with Honda collapse and was recently forced to replace its chief executive. Like rivals, it is also being squeezed by U.S. tariffs and threatened by fast-rising Chinese EV makers in markets in Southeast Asia and elsewhere. New CEO Ivan Espinosa is aiming for total cost savings of some 500 billion yen. But he faces the difficult job of turning around an automaker that has seen its once-mighty brand value eroded. "Our full-year financial results are a wake-up call. The reality is very clear. Our variable costs are rising. Our fixed costs are higher than our current revenue can support," Espinosa told a press conference. The new job cuts will bring Nissan's total workforce reduction to around 20,000 jobs, after it previously announced plans to cut 9,000 positions. It will cut the number of its production plants to 10 from 17 and reduce the complexity of parts by 70%. It did not give specifics on which plants it expects to close. Analysts have said Nissan, among its many missteps, is also paying the price for years under former Chairman Carlos Ghosn where it focused too heavily on sales volume, and used heavy discounts to keep cars moving off lots. That has left it with an ageing line-up that it is now scrambling to update. Still, it seems unlikely to expect a sudden turnaround - the automaker sees a 200 billion yen operating loss in the first quarter, CFO Jeremie Papin said.
