Honda Prelude revived as sleek hybrid coupe

Unveiled in concept form at the Tokyo motor show, the new Prelude is intended to “embody Honda’s unalterable sports mindset”, according to the firm’s president and CEO, Toshihiro Mibe.

“The Prelude concept is a speciality sports model that will offer exhilarating experience that makes you want to keep going forever,” said Mibe.

Honda did not reveal any technical details or a release date for the Prelude, stating only that “we are diligently progressing with development”. Mibe urged the public to “keep your expectations high”.

Contrary to previous reports, the Prelude is powered by a hybrid powertrain rather than a battery-electric one, a spokesperson for American Honda confirmed.

The Prelude concept was shown alongside two other concepts that showcase Honda's vision for the future: the Honda E-like Sustaina-C concept and the CI-MEV mobility pod.

The Honda Sustaina-C has been created to show how cars can be constructed sustainably. It is made from recycled acrylic resin, which, Honda says, can be reused again. “This kind of resource circulation will enable us to transcend the constraints of the limited availability of resources,” said Mibe.

It also borrows design cues from the first-generation Honda City, which was sold as the Jazz in Europe, though Honda has given no indication whether it previews an electric replacement for today's Honda Jazz.

It is not thought to hint at a next-generation Honda E either, despite its resemblance. Rebecca Adamson, head of cars for Honda UK, told Autocar in July: “There won’t be more cars the size of the Honda E.”

The even smaller CI-MEV concept, meanwhile, is a self-driving two-seat “micro-mobility” vehicle in the mould of the Citroën Ami, targeted at elderly people in rural environments.

Mibe said: “Such people tend to have a limited living radius. If there are products that offer easily accessible, last-mile mobility, people can go places, farther, faster, and more casually.

“And if everyone can enjoy mobility more freely and expand their living radius, they will have more chance to meet new people, which we believe will augment people’s possibilities.”

Honda also displayed General Motors’ Cruise Origin autonomous taxi on its show stand, announcing plans to launch a driverless taxi service in Japan using the pod in 2026.