Prelude set to make comeback as a hybrid

0 0 July 31, 2024 Edit this post

Honda is bringing back the Prelude.

A production model will return at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 11.

Prelude is set to deliver the perfect balance of exhilarating driving pleasure and outstanding efficiency, an embodiment of Honda’s long-term commitment to electrification in a stylish and dynamic package.

The original Prelude made its European debut 45 years ago and served as a thrilling, high-performance showcase of Honda’s cutting-edge technology for five generations until 2001.

The new model promises to be a fitting return for the renowned nameplate, as it delivers a compelling blend of style and sophistication alongside a hybrid powertrain.

The name “Prelude” refers to an introductory piece of music and appropriately positions the car as a forerunner to future models that embody Honda’s commitment to sports performance – an example of Honda bringing the “joy of driving” to customers across Europe.

Chief Engineer Tomoyuki Yamagami said the new Prelude not only marks the latest chapter in Honda's ever-evolving hybrid story, it is also the product of 25 years of pioneering hybrid research and development.

"Ensuring this model maintains its ‘sporty’ DNA by perfectly blending the efficiency and environmental advantages of electrified driving with an exhilarating experience behind the wheel – liberating users from their daily lives with increased driving pleasure,” he said.

“In addition, the Prelude demonstrates the continued importance of hybrid powertrains as part of Honda’s automobile electrification strategy – a key step towards our commitment for 100 per cent of new vehicle sales to be battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell by 2040.”

This year sees Honda celebrate a quarter of a century of pioneering hybrid expertise, following the arrival of the revolutionary Insight coupe as Europe’s first mass-produced hybrid model back in 1999.

Following Insight, Honda launched the Civic IMA in 2003, which paired a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a 1.3-litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine and 15kW electric motor.

Seven-years later, CR-Z was introduced, combining Honda’s unique IMA parallel hybrid system with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and manual transmission, to offer an ideal balance between engaging driving dynamics and fuel economy.

In 2011, Jazz Hybrid continued to offer the practicality for which it had become known, including “Magic Seats” and 300-litres of boot space – thanks to the compact nature of the IMA system.

Five years later and the arrival of the NSX saw the introduction of the most-technologically-advanced all-wheel drive hybrid powertrain of the time to the supercar segment.

Today, Honda’s mainstream automobile range is fully electrified, with Jazz, Civic, HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V all available with e:HEV powertrains.