2025 Honda Prelude confirmed for Europe – carsales.com.au

The reborn 2025 Honda Prelude sports car has been confirmed for release in Europe with hybrid power ahead of the concept version’s first regional appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed later this week.

Honda made the hybrid and European market announcements simultaneously overnight, declaring the electrified sports coupe as the latest chapter of its “ever-evolving hybrid story” and promising the model will “deliver ‘joy of driving’ via perfect balance of driving dynamics and fuel efficiency”.

The hybrid revelation confirms reports out of Japan that identified an e:HEV powertrain as more likely and favourable than a full battery-electric system, given hybrid power’s wider appeal and versatility at a lower price.

Details are still all but non-existent for now, but it’s likely that Honda’s belated Prelude replacement will feature a performance-enhanced version of the new Honda Accord’s 2.0-litre e:HEV system, which combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors for combined outputs of 152kW/335Nm.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the Prelude ups the ante to somewhere near 170kW/350Nm (at least) to make it more competitive against the Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ twins, however, the Honda will almost certainly cost a fair bit more than its rear-drive, combustion-powered competition.

“The original Prelude made its European debut 45 years ago and served as a thrilling, high-performance showcase of Honda’s cutting-edge technology for five generations until 2001,” Honda said.

“The new model promises to be a fitting return for the renowned nameplate, as it delivers a compelling blend of style and sophistication alongside a hybrid powertrain.”

V-Tec fans hoping to see the first new Honda sports car for over 20 years in action will be disappointed to hear the Prelude concept isn’t expected to take on the world-famous Goodwood Hillclimb as per the Genesis Magma EVs; instead it will be restricted to a static display in the First Glance paddock.

No timeframe for the model’s release has been given so far, but it’s clear the production vehicle will go on sale in Europe by early 2025, looking a lot like the concept that previewed it at the 2024 Tokyo motor show.

Sadly, what this means for Australians remains to be seen, given Honda is yet to confirm the new Prelude for this market.

“Unfortunately, Honda Australia is unable to provide any information regarding the Prelude heading to the Australian market at this time,” said Honda Australia today.

But there is hope, given the renewal of Honda’s trademark application for the Prelude nameplate in Australia late last year, which suggests the all-new coupe is at least being looked at Down Under.