The Honda Prelude will return to the US as a hybrid-electric in 2025
After more than 20 years, Honda is bringing back one of its signature models. The Japanese car company has announced that the Honda Prelude will return to markets next year as a hybrid-electric vehicle. The Prelude, along with the Civic and Accord were Honda's main lineup in the 1970s.
When the Honda Prelude arrives in the US in late 2025, it will bring a new drive mode called Honda S+ Shift
which Honda says further advances Linear Shift Control to deliver maximum levels of driver engagement
. The hybrid-electric Prelude will be the sixth generation model, coming 24 years after the fifth generation released between 1997-2001.
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that the popular sports coupe is returning as a hybrid-electric considering Honda's focus on hybrid-electric vehicles in recent times. According to the press release, its hybrid-electric trims make up more than 50% of Accord and CR-V sales. It also projects that the new Civic hybrid will make up more than 40% of all Civic sales.
The Honda Prelude will have a two-motor (propulsion and generator) hybrid powertrain which it uses in its other hybrid-electric vehicles. The two-motor powertrain can work either in series or parallel. As a series hybrid which is most of the time, Honda says the electric propulsion motor drives the wheels while the gasoline engine connected to the electric generator or starter motor supplies power to the hybrid battery and or the propulsion motor.
When cruising on the highway, the system switches to a parallel hybrid system. In this mode, the gasoline engine connects to the front axle via a clutch and the vehicle speed is proportional to the engine speed. During braking or when coasting, the propulsion motor converts the kinetic energy of the decelerating vehicle into electrical energy to recharge the battery.
Honda also revealed in the press release that a production model of the Honda 0 Series Saloon concept unveiled at CES 2024 is planned for introduction in 2026 and will be manufactured at its Honda EV Hub in Ohio. It also plans to launch seven Honda 0 Series models globally by 2030. There will also be a new Honda 0 Series model at CES 2025 in January that will showcase the new technologies it introduced at its Honda 0 tech meeting in October 2024.
Buy Anker 75W car charger with retractable cable for $25.49 on Amazon.
