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Outdoors of the most recent Civic Kind R and Integra Kind S choices, Honda had been slightly coy and low-key when it got here to their plans to provide sporty vehicles—or in the event that they even had any intention to— on the precipice of ushering on this mass-electrification period. Now, on the latest 2023 Tokyo Motor Present, the Japanese automaker has given us a extra clear image of what this future would possibly seem like, by unveiling a trendy new sport compact coupé which additionally marks a return of the Prelude identify.
On the shut of its fifth technology, the Honda Prelude‘s industrial success waned sharply, and it was evident that the mannequin was surplus to Honda’s necessities as they remained targeted on producing the Civic, Accord and Integra—all of which had been out there in 2-door type, just like the Prelude. A lot so was this the case, that Honda axed the Prelude in 2001, marking an finish to an uninterrupted manufacturing run starting in 1978 and spanning over 2 a long time. But, like lots of out-of-favor sports activities vehicles of the period, the Prelude all the time had—and maintains—a little bit of a cult following, and that is maybe Honda’s means of pandering to a demographic of shoppers that they intend to win again, or provoke, by means of nostalgia.
I feel this may work, as the Prelude idea presents very well and already seems to be the half as a manufacturing mannequin. Its modern traces and sporty design cues stand out inside the sport compact phase, and this may actually assist to supply a powerful worth proposition as different famend sports activities automobile producers even have their sights set on the long run—reminiscent of Porsche, with their upcoming 718 Cayman and Boxster EV. It reveals us a future the place hybrid or EV sports activities automobile efficiency might be attained via comparatively economical means, and that we don’t all the time need to depend on the higher-end development setters and massive hitters to expertise this.
Hawk-eyed netizens identified that the Prelude idea’s proportions gave the impression to be a bit too standard for it to be a full-on EV, and a Honda spokesperson went on to verify as a lot in a Twitter put up, stating that the manufacturing model of the Prelude will certainly characteristic a hybrid-electric energy plant as an alternative. No phrase but on the precise specs or efficiency figures, although it wouldn’t be shocking if it had some overlap with the present 204 hp Honda Accord hybrid.
In fact, absolutely electrified fashions are nonetheless on the horizon, but when something, the Honda Prelude idea nonetheless offers us a a lot wanted sneak preview into the route the corporate is heading—and primarily based on the return on this storied sports activities automobile, issues look to be heading in the right direction. Not one to overlook the chance to generate as a lot fanfare as attainable through the motor present, Honda additionally introduced its newest collaboration with watchmaker Casio. By an appropriately-themed timepiece celebrating the Kind R moniker, house owners can take pleasure in an assortment of homages reminiscent of purple Honda emblems, a championship white leather-based strap, Kind R engravings, and extra.
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