Honda pays homage to one of its most iconic nameplates introduced over 45 years ago.
Honda announcement On Monday, a new Prelude hybrid-electric sports coupe will be introduced to the American market in late 2025. Car and driveran automotive magazine, predicts that the vehicle will debut for the 2026 model year.
The first Honda Prelude was introduced in 1978, loosely based on the Honda Accord with the aim of being sportier. The most recent fifth-generation Honda Prelude was produced from 1997 to 2001, according to the auto magazine. Automotive trend.
The Honda Prelude hybrid-electric concept debuted at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show and its first North American appearance at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show, according to a Honda press release.
Although few details have been released about the new Prelude, here’s what we know so far.
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Honda launches new function to continue “driving pleasure”
The new Prélude will mark the debut of Honda S+ Changean improvement to Honda’s Linear Shift Control. S+ Shift will synchronize vehicle speed and engine sound and control engine speed during acceleration and deceleration to direct driving response and abrupt gear changes, according to a Honda press release.
What does this mean? Essentially, drivers should expect to hear the rise and fall as the vehicle revs up.
Although Honda’s e:HEV (high-efficiency two-motor hybrid systems) vehicles do not have mechanical transmission systems, when Honda S+ Shift is activated, the driver will be able to shift gears using a paddle shifter. change of speed, according to a Honda press release. This will give the illusion that the vehicle is equipped with a transmission system.
How much will the Honda Prelude cost?
Although Honda has not officially announced how much the new hybrid will cost, Car and driver estimates the ticket price for the sports car at $31,000 to $38,000.
The new Prelude is part of Honda’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality
According to a press releaseHonda aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all its products by 2050, with a goal of manufacturing only battery and fuel cell electric vehicles by 2040.
This year, more than 25% of Honda sales are electric vehicles and more than 50% of Accord and CR-V sales are hybrid-electric versions, according to the agency. press release.
Honda introduced its first hybrid-electric model, the Honda Insight, in December 1999, which was also the first American hybrid car. Last year, Honda began selling the Honda Prologue, the brand’s first fully electric SUV. By a press releasenext year, Honda will begin production of the first electric vehicle based on the new EV platform developed by Honda at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
Greta Cross is a national trends reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. An idea for a story? Send him an email to gcross@gannett.com.