The project that eventually turned into the 2026 Prelude was originally intended to just be a sporty hybrid, not a return of a beloved Honda nameplate.
Honda did not set out to build another Prelude from the project’s inception, instead, after some development work, the brand decided to use the moniker because it fit that nameplate’s character.
When asked by Drive after the 2025 Tokyo motor show the reason behind resurrecting the Prelude name, Honda Motor Company Director, President, and Representative Executive Officer Toshihoro Mibe said the project was designed to bring another sporty model to market.
“It wasn’t like we decided to redevelop the Prelude in the first place, it was named after the development,” Mibe-san said.
“We had other sports cars like NSX, and Kei cars like S660, that were running [in production], but we have suspended and stopped production of those cars.
“And then if you look around at our line-up, we didn’t have enough of those sporty kinds of cars.
“So, we decided to develop the product to supplement that space in our line-up.
“And then we found that the car we developed was pretty good, and when we looked at that, we decided to use the name Prelude because it sounded best and optimal for that car.”
It is also understood that the Prelude name was chosen because the 2026 sports car will be Honda’s first to feature the S+ Shift feature.
It simulates engine noises and gear changes of a dual-clutch automatic transmission despite being equipped with an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT).
Honda has since confirmed this feature will be made available on all new-generation hybrid models, including Civic and CR-V, with the brand’s reborn sports car acting as a precursor or ‘prelude’ to the technology.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
