New Honda Prelude back in black at the Tokyo Auto Salon

The new Honda Prelude may not be the rousing sports car we want it to be, but at the very least it’s a stylish coupe in a world where coupes are all but extinct. At the Tokyo Auto Salon that started today Honda revealed a Prelude in black, and it looks rather sinister.

Honda designers usually strive to make their cars friendly and approachable, and the previous Prelude concepts in red and white have looked decent but inoffensive. The black one’s looks are also aided by a more aggressive aero on the chin and at the rear valance. A larger wing helps as well. Presumably these bits, or bits very similar to them, will be available once the car goes on sale later this year.

The hybrid Prelude is expected to ship with the same 2.0-liter four and dual-electric motor powertrain found in the Civic Hybrid. The Prelude will also be the first Honda to use “S+ Shift” programming to mimic gear changes. Of course, with one of the electric motors driving the wheels there are no actual gears, but it’s not a CVT either (though Honda calls it an e:CVT). Expected system output is 200 horsepower.

Even though it won’t be a canyon carver like the BB6, the Prelude may at least get people interested in a stylish two-door car again. That is, assuming it’s affordable (a friend recently went to shop for a Civic Hybrid and the dealer quoted him $49,000!). A lot of Japanese coupes sold in the US in the 80s weren’t the peak performance models, but got enough people buying them that full-beans variants could be offered alongside. The question is, which Nissan model will the badge engineered version be named after?

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44 Responses to New Honda Prelude back in black at the Tokyo Auto Salon

  1. Speedie says:

    Personally I am disappointed in Honda. They had a clean slate and this is what they think will sell? It has design but lacks style.

  2. BlitzPig says:

    A sheep in wolf’s clothing.

    Come on Honda, get the old mojo back and start building great cars again.

    Sheesh.

    • aprtur says:

      I would say the current Civic (Type R especially) is pretty solid, but agree that the rest of the US lineup needs an overhaul. The current Accord is possibly the most bland I can remember for Honda, although that seems to be a kneejerk 180 from some people thinking the last generation was garish (just like the last gen Civic was polarizing). Would love to see Honda give the US something simple and fun like the S660 with the Civic Si drivetrain, but am not holding my breath. Shoot, even this Prelude with that drivetrain with an Si badge would be a cool compliment to a hybrid base model.

  3. MadGadget says:

    Everything looks good in black as you can’t see the shape.

  4. Hugh says:

    it wouldn’t be a true sports coupe without a manual tranny

    • Kymberli says:

      Biggest fact of the day.

    • I agree completely! I had a bright beautiful cherry red Honda Prelude manual 5 speed and when I drove it, that car and I were, “ONE”! My car would tell me exactly when to change gears and when we took curves, there was nothing better! We don’t have this type of car either automatic transmission-how embarrassing! How I miss my Prelude!

  5. dankan says:

    I like it more in the red and white, and like the idea of the car, as it will definitely sell better than something extremely hardcore. Affordability will be tricky since dealers like artificially inflated prices, but it really kills sales because customers can’t afford the prices.

  6. Franxou says:

    It is kind of sad to only showcase the car in black, sure it is cool and sinister, but we cannot see any detail. It it possible that it was on purpose to hide some things that could be changed later down the line.
    I would like to see it next to a Civic, it does not seem Accord-sized like the previous Preludes, is its frame related to that Civic Hybrid instead?
    We need more coupés on the market, there is a whole spectrum of performance to practicality ratios to cover, not just performance-be-damned cars! Especially once one has ridden some modern motorbikes or tried a fast-ish electric car, speed lose its exclusivity and driving becomes more about fun, something that all coupés, fast or not, can offer by the boatload!

  7. duncan says:

    looks like an overweight ’71 240Z

  8. Chris says:

    Beautiful Car I want one

    • Lloyd says:

      Be prepared to cough up $50,000, or more if you want one, what Honda should have done is lightweight front engine real wheel drive 4 cylinder vetch engine with 275+hp to compete with Subaru BRZ/GR 86. They blew it. Honda has lost touch with reality.. I have owned 4 Honda Civic Si’s over the years, they lost my business when they started with the ugly cats with turbo charged engine.. RIP Honda🤣😂

  9. Jay says:

    The car looks great but come on Honda, give the people what they want! A manual tranny and some power!! It’s not that hard!!!

  10. Minnie says:

    Love it ….I have a1996 Prelude

  11. Dave says:

    Looks like a stretched CRZ fastback …

  12. CHRIS says:

    It looks good, 911 vibes… . But, it is about one thing…
    is it going to be AFFORDABLE?? Everyone is looking for affordability. The American people, for most of us, are stretched to the limit! If this car rolls in ar 50k +, good luck with continuing high sales. I am not sure about others but, if the Prelude starts around 34,500.00 to 50,000.00….. that would se more like for those of us that have other monthly cost.
    How about a hard top convertible?? For the higher end pricing? And two engine sizes?
    Hopefully this will be a car that all age groups will be interested in buying….not just a 16-4 year old.
    Looking forward to seeing this on the streets!
    OH, LAST THING HONDA….FORGET THE FAKE NOISE SHIFT S THING…AND GIVE US A CHOICE OF A MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC, AND A GOOD TURBO OPTION. FAKE SHIFTING…SMH!

  13. Corey says:

    who is this car for? no manual trans/too slow for enthusiasts, not enough doors for a family. it will probably start at 50k. it looks like an audi tt. I don’t get it.

    • Bryan Kitsune says:

      But this way they can say coupes don’t sell, and use it as an excuse to stop selling them completely. Other manufacturers will say the same.

      Never mind that people who want a coupe have other things in mind than just “2 doors”.

    • Jena Haynes says:

      then you don’t get Honda they do their own thing not compete with the others….duhhh!!!

  14. Negishi no Keibajo says:

    Can’t see the form in black like MadGadget says. White or San Marino Red. I’m just happy somebody’s making two door cars anymore.

  15. João Azevedo says:

    4a geração ainda é a mais top dos preludes.

  16. Yuyu says:

    The interior is underwhelming and cheap. the powertrain is the same as the hybrid Civic. It’s very good for a daily economic car but pretty uninspired for a sports car. Honda is so far behind Toyota and Hyundai at this point, that I can’t see any hope for them.

    • Neil Ross says:

      I’ve been looking at bmw convertibles and a low mileage Lexus convertible. If they make this as a convertible, I’ll almost certainly buy one in spite of the brand name.

    • LudeDude says:

      Yuyu the interior hasn’t even been revealed yet….what are you talking about goofy?

  17. Carlos says:

    with-out the preludes H-22A1it is not a prelude

  18. Carlos viera says:

    with-out the preludes H-22A1it is not a prelude

  19. Alek says:

    people… it’s just a honda not like a lambo or ferrari.. like its the cheapest car you possibly can get lol be happy it looks great

  20. Androulla Antoniou says:

    Obviously most of you have no taste. I’ve owned 3 Honda cars over the years including a 1990 Prelude. Cannot wait for the new model to come out.
    Love my Hondas.

  21. Kymberli says:

    You can’t call it a Prelude if it isn’t a stick shift. C’mon Honda, do better. If I’m paying that amount, I’m looking for a manual trans with a VTec.

  22. Jack says:

    This is for the enthusiast who has wanted a hybrid car that’s not an absolute snooze fest. This car has promise but it is sad to see that the only car company to ever engineer a hybrid with a manual transmission is forgoing it this time around.

  23. p says:

    50k .200hp?? No manual?? foh😂

  24. Darin Smith says:

    Hey! Riddle me This (Batman) What do you Get when you Milk a 370Z???? Well hmm.”

  25. Joe Mama says:

    As a 5th gen Prelude owner, I can say Honda dropped the ball with this one. The original Prelude had style, drivability, and nice acceleration thanks to the H-series vtec engine. Even though the old Prelude has about the same HP compared to the new one, I doubt the driving experience will be the same. HONDA; you want sales to boom again? Go back to the innovation you use to have! It’s a no-brainer. Come on Honda, THINK! The whole “EV” movement is disgraceful to car culture. They may have their place in the market, but do not make EVERYTHING an EV/hybrid. It’s disgraceful you made the Prelude’s legacy a hybrid. This thing does not deserve that badge. It’s almost like you guys forgot who you use to be. Wake up, Honda. Wake the f**k up.

  26. Heidi says:

    I owned a 96 Honda Prelude best car I ever had I wish I could have another one. When I heard they were coming back out with the prelude I was so excited, couldn’t wait to see it and now that I’ve seen it, it looks just like every other car. The Prelude had its own unique body style why couldn’t they keep it that way That’s what made the Prelude

  27. N97LT says:

    Except for the rear deck lid, looks almost exactly like my black 2019 Civic Coupe, except mine has 6 real gears and 3 foot pedals. It was less than 20 K and they stopped producing it because supposedly Americans did not want manual transmissions or coupes. So Honda now believes by making it a hybrid and more than doubling the price will make it sell? I love Hondas, but I’m questioning their game plan in this instance.

  28. Mark says:

    you need a 3.5 dohc turbo 6 speed WTF

  29. Franxou says:

    Wow, that thread filled my inbox!
    Thinking about it, the Prelude always was the sports coupé based on the Accord, but since this looks more like a Civic, what would be a coupé Civic? CR-X comes to mind, but we already had the CR-Z with the right general shape and ethos of the CR-X HF.
    If this car was not specifically named Prelude, it still is a nice looking hybrid sports coupé from Honda, nevermind the fake-shifting, what should this be named?

  30. Fernando Boyd says:

    4th gen BA8 owner here. I’ve been a Honda supporter for about 16 years now I loved everything about Honda. From the 80’s up until the FL5. I supported every chassis, even the the second gen Jazz, I’m losing my faith in Honda, the merger with Nissan is only for EV which is fine there a demographic for EV. The civic Si is still a great Car! Please please consider the 1.5 motor or even the 2.0 with a manual option. Mazda is killing it with the Miata there sells are solid even the AE86 Second Gen looks amazing. I’m seriously considering jumping ship from Honda we were the best selling vehicles.What happened !?At least give the people an option, your loyal fans really need an affordable coupe either a daily or a weekend warrior. I know the future is EV and that’s the focus now. I accept change, however nostalgia is the key that will bring back Honda Fans to enjoy driving again.

  31. speedie says:

    37 Reponses! This post certainly got the opinions flowing.

  32. Brian Patrick Walsh says:

    Great another lot anchor we can put next to the Prologue! This company sucks anymore.

  33. B.ibanez says:

    I feel like the new prelude has identity issues. it’s not a bad looking car, but that engine without a manual goes against everything the prelude has represented for many generations. why are you going to make it look sporty but make it a grocery getter that doesn’t have the space for groceries? I have a 98 prelude sh and have always loved the prelude. I’ve been waiting for years for what? this!?! what is going on honda????

  34. Josay says:

    The last prelude I had was a ’01, I was gonna consider the new one, but where the flip is the Vtec? Hard no for me, maybe if they gave a flip about a real engine, then I’ll buy one. Electric? like seriously? SMH This is so ridiculous it’s not even funny, I may cry for a few minutes now.

  35. Jozay says:

    Why? Why? Why? seriously? To think that someone literally said “Yeah, this is OK, they’ll love this!” this is absurd, where the flip is the Vtec? The only people buying this, are those who think a prelude is a new model Honda and never heard of it before. I think I’m gonna go cry for a few minutes now, SMH! I miss my ’00 lude even more 🥲

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