- The original model arrived in European showrooms back in 1979
- The last example - the fifth generation - was removed from UK dealers in 2001
- The 2+2 sports coupe will be powered by an efficient hybrid drivetrain
Honda will relaunch one of its best-known sports car nameplates in the next two years having left it in the doldrums for the best part of a quarter of a decade.
The Japanese company has confirmed the return of the Prelude, which will return to UK showrooms in 2025 as a performance hybrid coupe.
The Prelude originally launched in Europe back in 1979. The last example to carry the name - the fifth generation car - went out of production in 2001 and it hasn't been used since.
To whet the appetite of petrolheads, the car will make its UK debut this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Interlude for the Prelude is almost over: The Honda sports car nameplate is set to return some 25 years after the last model went out of production. Here's what we know about the new hybrid coupe
Honda teased the rebirth of the sports car name towards the end of last year when the Prelude Concept was a surprise unveiling at the 2023 Tokyo Mobility Show.
But on Monday the Japanese maker confirmed it will make a comeback by the 'mid-2020s' as a two-door coupe, likely using the same hybrid drivetrain that currently powers the Civic hatchback.
When it eventually arrives in UK dealers, it will be unique to the market. That's because it is set to be the only front-wheel-drive coupe on sale in the UK, with models like the Volkswagen Scirocco and - most recently - the Audi TT discontinued from sale last year.
The first Honda Prelude (pictured right) arrived in European showrooms in 1979. Another four generations have followed
Possibly the most popular Prelude in the UK in terms of sales was the fourth-generation car pictured, which was on sale between 1992 and 1996
The last Prelude - the fifth-gen model - was pulled from UK sale in 2001 and the nameplate hasn't been used since...until now
The Prelude celebrates not just the return of Honda's sports-car nameplate but 25 years of the Japanese brand using hybrid power. The first hybrid Honda was the 1999 Insight (pictured far left) and the company has used petrol-electric drivetrains in both the CR-Z (second left) and NSX supercar (second right)
Its relaunch is part of Honda's 25-year celebration of using hybrid power, which dates back to the 1999 Insight.
However, the new Prelude will be seen by most as a spiritual successor to the CR-Z, which was Honda's first two-seat sports car that used a petrol-electric drivetrain.
Honda discontinued its last performance hybrid - the NSX supercar - in 2022.
Tomoyuki Yamagami, chief engineer at Honda, said it will have a 'sporty DNA' that is blended with 'the efficiency and environmental advantages of electrified driving with an exhilarating experience behind the wheel'.
He added: '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.'
Up front, it has a drop-nose bonnet with a narrow grille. This sits above a bumper split by a vertical daytime running light to match the angular headlight clusters
The blue hue of the daytime running light is a nod to the new Prelude's electrified heartbeat
The Prelude's profile is dominated by a dramatically sloped roofline towards the tail of the vehicle and is not dissimilar to the Toyota GR86
Details about the car's performance and price are scant at the moment.
It is widely expected to be built on the existing Civic's platform, including its e:HEV hybrid system.
This marries a 2.0-litre petrol engine, a compact 1.05kWh battery and two electric motors to produce 181bhp while returning a combined fuel economy figure of just 56.5mpg.
This could be tuned for the Prelude, but Honda has kept this information under wraps for now.
The exterior design is in-keeping with Japanese performance car design, with its svelte silhouette not dissimilar to that of Toyota's rear-wheel-drive GR86.
Up front, it has a drop-nose bonnet with a narrow grille.
This sits above a bumper split by a vertical daytime running light to match the angular headlight clusters. The blue hue is a nod to its electrified heartbeat.
At the back, an LED brake light spans the boot lid above the Prelude badge and there's a small spoiler and rear splitter
The Prelude Concept has pop-out door handles that - when the car is moving - sit flush into the bodywork
The profile is dominated by a dramatically sloped roofline towards the tail of the vehicle, which combine with muscular haunches and flush door handles to give off an aggressive, hunkered look.
At the back, an LED brake light spans the boot lid above the Prelude badge and there's a small spoiler and rear splitter.
The interior has not been revealed but is likely to have a minimalist approach with a decluttered dashboard, large infotainment screen and bucket seats up front.
With the range-topping Civic e:HEV starting from £39,805, the Prelude is expected to cost in excess of £40,000 when it enters UK showrooms sometime during 2025.
The Prelude Concept will make its European driving debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 11 to 14 July.
