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Honda has announced the return of the iconic Prelude as an all-new hybrid-electric sports coupe, set to launch in the U.S. market in late 2025. This marks a significant milestone for Honda, reintroducing one of its most beloved nameplates with a focus on electrification and driving excitement. The sixth-generation Prelude will also debut the innovative Honda S+ Shift feature, designed to enhance driver engagement.
Key Highlights:
- Hybrid-electric powertrain will advance Honda’s award-winning two-motor system.
- Honda S+ Shift introduces a new drive mode for maximum driving enjoyment.
- Part of Honda’s strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
- 25 years of hybrid leadership celebrated with record electrified vehicle sales.
- Prelude nameplate returns 45 years after its original debut in 1978.
“The return of the Honda Prelude as a hybrid-electric sports model demonstrates our continued commitment to offer a variety of exhilarating products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Jessika Laudermilk, assistant vice president of Honda Auto Sales. “The first three products in the Honda lineup in the 1970s were Civic, Accord and Prelude, and soon all three will be back together again in our passenger car lineup as hybrids.”
The Prelude Concept was first showcased at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show following its global debut at the Japan Mobility Show. Over its five generations, the Prelude became a fan favorite, introducing advanced technologies like four-wheel steering (4WS) and the Active Torque Transfer System (ATTS).
Honda’s Electrification Strategy
Honda is committed to achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales globally by 2040. The Prelude’s hybrid-electric system aligns with Honda’s broader strategy to electrify its core models. Currently:
- More than 50% of Accord and CR-V sales are hybrid-electric trims.
- The new Civic hybrid is projected to represent about 40% of Civic sales.
- Honda’s total electrified vehicle sales have surpassed one million units in the U.S.
In 2024, Honda also introduced its first all-electric SUV, the Prologue, and is preparing to manufacture new EV models in Ohio starting in late 2025. At CES 2024, Honda unveiled the 0 Series, a next-generation lineup that will launch globally by 2030, further solidifying its leadership in electrification.
About Honda
Honda delivers clean, safe, and connected vehicles across its award-winning lineup, including the Civic, Accord, CR-V, and the Prologue SUV. Honda’s U.S. manufacturing has spanned over 40 years, with 99% of Honda vehicles sold in America built in North America using domestic and globally sourced parts.
The hybrid-electric Prelude’s arrival in 2025 marks the next step in Honda’s vision to combine performance and sustainability, while celebrating its legacy of innovation and driving joy.
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