Honda Prelude Concept to debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

The design of the Prelude Concept took the world by storm when it was revealed at the Japan Mobility Show last year. A sleek, long-bonneted, low-slung coupe, the Prelude as it always has been will be a front-driven model, and you’ll be able to get a closer look at it when it’s on display in First Glance presented by heycar.

Less the outright performance model, like a Civic Type R, the Prelude Concept puts its most efficient foot forward with a (rumoured to be Civic-based) hybrid powertrain. This is denoted by the cool blue strip low down at the nose of the car.

The looks do have an inherently sporty vibe however and to this end, Honda has confirmed the Prelude is intended to be a dynamically capable and satisfying car to drive, with an interior focused on the driver too. Being Civic-based, we can believe it’ll deliver on those promises. Could there be a Type R on the cards?  

Exciting too is that Honda claims the return of the Prelude name is very deliberate, in that Prelude means introduction. It has indicated that the hybrid coupe is only the first in a range of future models geared towards enthusiasts. Here’s hoping for that long-awaited S2000 successor.

“The new Prelude not only marks the latest chapter in our ever-evolving hybrid story, it is also the product of 25 years of pioneering hybrid research and development,” said Tomoyuki Yamagami, Chief Engineer and Large Project Leader, Honda Motor.

“Ensuring this model maintains its ‘sporty’ DNA by perfectly blending the efficiency and environmental advantages of electrified driving with an exhilarating experience behind the wheel – liberating users from their daily lives with increased driving pleasure.

“Prelude demonstrates the continued importance of hybrid powertrains as part of Honda’s automobile electrification strategy – a key step towards our commitment for 100% of new vehicle sales to be battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell by 2040.”

You’ll be able to see the Honda Prelude Concept in the metal in First Glance at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, from 11th-14th July.