Key highlights
- Honda is planning to bring the all-new Prelude to India as a CBU (Completely Built-Up) import.
- The new Prelude is a hybrid coupe powered by Honda’s e:HEV system, combining performance with efficiency.
- It revives Honda’s classic two-door sports DNA under the “Unlimited Glide” design philosophy.
Honda is reviving its iconic Prelude nameplate and this time, it may arrive in India as a premium CBU import. While Honda hasn’t formally confirmed specific plans for the Indian market, signs strongly point toward a limited but meaningful launch for enthusiasts who appreciate its sporty heritage.
Prelude’s comeback
The all-new Prelude is designed for a modern era, equipped with Honda’s advanced e:HEV hybrid system that blends a petrol engine with electric drive. This setup allows it to offer spirited performance while maintaining everyday usability.
Honda describes its new grand concept for the car as “Unlimited Glide”, aiming to evoke the feel of a glider i.e. smooth, flowing, and dynamically graceful. That idea comes through clearly in the design, which features a low front nose, clean side lines, and a wide stance that suggests both poise and agility.
Design
The Prelude’s exterior integrates subtle but premium touches: flush door handles, black-chrome grille louvers, and a sculpted roofline that nods to classic coupes. Inside, the cockpit blends sophistication and sportiness — it comes with two-tone white-and-blue upholstery, a D-shaped steering wheel, and full-graphic digital meters unique to the Prelude.
Chassis, Dynamics, and Performance
Under the sheet metal, the Prelude borrows from the Civic Type R’s chassis. That gives it a strong foundation for handling, while Honda adds a dual-axis front suspension and an adaptive damping system (ADS) to keep the ride sharp yet refined.
It also features 19-inch wheels, high-capacity Brembo front brakes, and Agile Handling Assist, which helps stabilize the car in corners by adjusting braking and steering inputs. On the safety front, Honda has packed in its SENSING suite, tuned specifically for the Prelude.
One of the most interesting tech features is the S+ Shift mode, which mimics manual gear shifts using paddle shifters, engine sound modulation, and simulated rev-matching. Even though the transmission is not a traditional manual, this system is designed to retain driver engagement especially important for a model that taps deep into Honda’s sporty legacy.
When will India get it?
Honda has begun sales of the new Prelude in Japan, with production already underway. As for India, the most likely route is through CBU import, given the niche nature of the car and the relatively limited demand for a two-door hybrid coupe.
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