2025 Honda Prelude set to be reborn with hybrid power

New details surrounding the sixth-generation 2025 Honda Prelude suggest the sports car could shun all-electric power for the same e:HEV hybrid tech that powers flagship versions of the latest Honda CR-V SUV.

According to Japan’s Best Car Web, the two-door coupe based on last year’s Honda Prelude Concept will eschew a traditional petrol-engined/rear-drive layout for a hybrid powertrain driving the front wheels – potentially through an advanced continuously variable transmission (CVT).

A manual gearbox might also be developed but it’s likely the Prelude will come with a tweaked version of the same driveline found in the CR-V.

In the SUV, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid produces 135kW/335Nm, but in the lighter Prelude early reports suggest the Honda coupe will pump out around 155kW.

That’s some way off the Toyota GR 86 (and its Subaru BRZ cousin) that produces 174kW and, of course, is rear-wheel drive and offered with either a manual or automatic transmission.

Some pundits have suggested the hybrid/CVT combination might be tailored to the Japanese market, while versions for Europe, Australia and the US might have more in common with the latest Honda Civic Type R, which is likely to share its platform with the Prelude.

Despite being almost identical in size to the Subaru BRZ and GR 86 (4300mm long, 1790mm wide and 1300mm high), the Japanese source says Honda will position the reborn Prelude above both its closest rear-drive rivals when it comes to pricing.

Honda is expected to tease a near-production version of the Prelude in the coming months ahead of a possible launch late this year or early 2025.

Recent trademark applications for the Prelude nameplate in Australia suggests Honda is keen to reintroduce the fast coupe Down Under.

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