--- title: "Honda Prelude Comeback Teased With Sleek Hybrid Sports Coupe" description: "Honda's \"one more thing\" announcement at this year's Japan Mobility Show was the return of a beloved nameplate, now as an EV sports car." date: "2023-10-25" modified: "2023-10-25" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/honda-prelude-comeback-teased-with-sleek-electric-sports-coupe" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Honda News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Honda Prelude Comeback Teased With Sleek Hybrid Sports Coupe ![]() *\Honda\* Sound the alarms, people: The Honda Prelude is back. [Honda]() shocked the car world last night when it surprise-unveiled the Prelude Concept at the Japan Mobility Show. The new Prelude figures to be a two-door electrified successor to the long-defunct coupe. Details are scarce, as Honda is still keeping everything but the car's existence under wraps, but we know it will be powered by both an electric motor and an internal-combustion engine, and that it looks exactly how a modern-day Prelude *should* look. Honda President Toshihiro Mibe, pictured above posing with the concept, didn't reveal specific details about the vehicle, but he did describe it as both a new sports car and a literal prelude for future electric enthusiast models. "In order to offer the 'joy of driving' only Honda can realize, we are diligently progressing with development," Mibe said in his remarks at the show, "so please keep your expectations high for this model." ![]() *Honda* Since Honda didn't lay out any powertrain or chassis specs, it's unclear what kind of performance we can expect from the Prelude, should it release to the masses. The coupe's announcement coincides with news this week that [the automaker has canceled plans with General Motors]() to jointly develop a new platform for small, affordable battery-electric cars. Bearing that in mind, it seems an accessible-yet-sporty Honda like the Prelude will have to remain a hybrid proposition, for now. ![]() *Maddox Kay/The Drive* There's much we don't know. That said, what we can see looks fantastic. The concept's proportions are nearly perfect. Its front end is sharp and low, the headlights are slick and blend with the grille, and it has a fun little spoiler. Most importantly, the Prelude looks like a feasible sports car and not a pipe-dream design study with zero consideration for real-world use. The coupe appears suitable for production at this stage, like it could go on sale tomorrow. That's an encouraging sign that Honda is far enough into development that it won't scrap the project. Considering that, as well as Mibe's plea to "keep expectations high," I'd say it's safe to be cautiously optimistic that we'll see an electric Prelude sports car on the road within the next few years. Props to Honda for working to keep small, affordable sports cars alive in the era of electrification. ***Clarification Oct. 25, 2023, 5:35 p.m. ET:** An earlier version of this story stated the Honda Prelude Concept was a battery-electric vehicle. American Honda representative [Andrew Quillin clarified earlier this afternoon]() that the Prelude is actually a gas-electric hybrid. This story has been updated to reflect that.* *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()