Honda Australia could be gearing up to bring its Prelude back to Australia after a 22-year hiatus, this time as a hybrid.
Honda has filed a trademark renewal for the Prelude nameplate in Australia, pointing to a potential return of the sports coupe to our shores.
It follows the reveal of a Prelude revival concept earlier this year at the Tokyo motor show, previewing a belated sixth generation of Honda’s sports coupe.
Overseas reports have suggested the concept could enter production in 2028.
Honda indicated at the concept’s reveal the vehicle was electrified, and Honda America’s public relations manager subsequently confirmed it features a hybrid powertrain – not an electric one, as some had speculated.
The company describes the Prelude concept as a “speciality sports model”, and the two-door coupe appears seemingly production-ready.
The brand’s director and president Toshihiro Mibe said during a press conference at the Tokyo motor show the Prelude concept will “inherit the ‘joy of driving’ into the full-fledged electrified future”.
The curvaceous concept boasts swollen wheel arches, large gloss-black alloy wheels, blue brake calipers, and retracting door handles.
Honda hasn’t detailed the interior of the Prelude concept as of yet, nor has it provided any technical information.
The company hasn’t sold the Prelude in Australia since 2001, the year it exited production.
The Prelude, first launched in 1979, was known for its zingy four-cylinder petrol engines hooked up to sweet-shifting manual transmissions – though automatic options were also available. All Preludes were front-wheel drive.
Honda recently resurrected another sporty car nameplate with the Integra. There are two different Integras: a Honda Integra for China, which is simply a rebadged Civic; and an Acura Integra in North America, an Audi A3 rival based on the Civic’s platform.
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