Honda Prelude with Hybrid Drive: Reason Instead of Sport

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The coupe league is currently dormant at many manufacturers. Ford is particularly aggressive, where the Explorer, Capri, and Mustang are no longer sporty two-door cars but SUVs. Honda has resisted the temptation to opt for the SUV format when reviving the model designation “Prelude.” Instead, it remains a coupe, albeit one that sets unconventional priorities in terms of drive.

With the relaunch of the Prelude model series, which was discontinued 25 years ago, Honda has once again created a shapely two-door car. It is 4.53 m long, 1.88 m wide, and just 1.35 m high. The wheelbase measures 2.6 m, so a space miracle is not to be expected here. The trunk holds only 264 liters. Those who understand the Prelude as a 2+2-seater and don't subject the second row to anyone on long journeys anyway can fold down the rear seat. Then it can hold at least 760 liters.

Only One Drive

For its launch in Europe next spring, there will only be one powertrain. Doubts arise whether Honda will massively excite the target group with this front-wheel-drive hybrid. Even the driving performance is rather modest for such a coupe. Honda states 8.2 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h, with a top speed of 188 km/h. The advantage of the special hybrid drive lies in its consumption, not in its performance. 5.2 liters are promised under WLTP.

The two-liter gasoline engine operates without turbocharging, which seems sensible in this setup, as does the Atkinson cycle. In this cycle, the intake valve closes later than usual, increasing thermal efficiency. The engine becomes more efficient but also produces slightly less power. This usually doesn't matter here, as the combustion engine typically only serves to drive the generator, which supplies power to the electric motor. This is the main drive motor. The gasoline engine can thus operate more frequently than usual in its optimal efficiency range and only intervenes directly in exceptional cases.

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Honda Prelude 2026 (10 Bilder)

Mostly Serial

As a rule, this powertrain works serially, briefly in parallel when needed, and even purely electrically over very short distances. However, the traction battery is only a small buffer and not intended for longer distances in electric mode. Of course, it cannot be charged externally either. The electric motor has a peak output of 135 kW, and the gasoline engine 105 kW. Thus, the full power can only be called up as long as there is enough electricity in the buffer.

Presumably, to give the matter some pep despite so much consumption optimization, the engineers have come up with a virtual transmission. This simulates gear changes. Due to its design, the drive has no multi-stage transmission and thus accelerates without traction differences. With Honda's “S+ Shift,” these are replicated on demand, including rev-matching. Honda argues that this provides more authenticity.

From 49,500 Euros

There is no detailed price list yet. Honda only reveals that the base model should cost 49,500 euros. The number of variants and extras will likely be limited, as variability increases production costs, especially for a niche model. And the new Prelude is likely to remain exactly that in terms of sales figures. This would probably not have changed even if Honda had not prioritized consumption in its drive.

(mfz)