The sixth-generation Honda Prelude – which revives the enduring sports activities automobile nameplate after a 24-year absence – is bringing in an attention-grabbing mixture of patrons in Japan, says the mannequin’s product lead.
Talking by way of interpreter with Australian media on the Japan Mobility Present in Tokyo, the Honda Motor Co. ‘Giant Product Lead’ for Prelude stated the hybrid sports activities coupe – which simply launched within the Japanese home market – is being purchased by Gen X and their youngsters.
“Technology X is aware of Prelude very nicely, and the youngsters’ era [want to] share recollections of their dad and mom,” the product lead stated.
“We assumed each ‘Gen X’ and ‘Gen Z’ [would be] the goal proprietor, however at the moment Gen X is the primary purchaser. And naturally, sooner or later, the youthful era can watch and see the Prelude, and are available to find it irresistible. We already [have] had the suggestions from the youthful era that they love the [Prelude’s] model and design.”
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Honda’s product lead additionally famous preliminary suggestions from Japanese clients have been vital of the Prelude’s premium value level within the home market, although the bespoke nature of the mannequin’s growth, in addition to elements like supplies and change charges have hindered Honda’s potential to make it cheaper.
The 2026 Honda Prelude is positioned as a extra premium product than the likes of the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ, kicking off from 6,179,800 yen (A$61,520) in Japan, which is sort of a bit greater than base pricing of the Civic Kind R (4,997,300 yen or A$49,748).
For MY25, Honda Australia jacked up the worth of the local-spec Civic Kind R to $79,000 drive-away, up $4900 from the earlier mannequin 12 months. It’s unclear whether or not the Prelude will supply related positioning relative to the Kind R to Japan when it arrives Down Underneath in 2026.
The Prelude has been confirmed for an Australian launch in mid-2026, following the Japanese and North American markets. It is going to seemingly be supplied in a single variant, given the second variant in Japan was a particular launch version which is now bought out.
Energy comes from a model of the hybrid system used within the associated Civic e:HEV, teaming a 104kW/182Nm 2.0L petrol engine with a 135kW/315Nm electrical drive motor. Drive is shipped solely to the entrance wheels by way of what Honda labels an ‘electrical repeatedly variable transmission’ – or e-CVT.
Honda quotes peak outputs of 147kW/315Nm, which is a good distance off the 235kW/420Nm of the two.0L turbo within the manic Civic Kind R, although the Prelude isn’t pitched as an all-out monitor monster.
Additional, the e:HEV hybrid system quotes miserly gasoline use of 23.6km/L (~4.2L/100km) on the mixed WLTC cycle, with abroad media shops reporting 0-100km/h instances of simply over 7.0 seconds – Honda UK, nonetheless, formally quotes a 0-100km/h time of 8.3 seconds.
What it lacks in outright tempo, the Honda Prelude claims to make up for in engagement. Utilizing the chassis from the Civic Kind R, Honda says its new hybrid sports activities coupe gives ‘agile dealing with’ in addition to an S+ Shift setting which simulates a traditional transmission with “sharp gear shifting really feel”.
Additional particulars of the brand new Prelude can be detailed forward of the mannequin’s launch round June subsequent 12 months. Keep tuned to CarExpert for the most recent.
