Honda Prelude could return as electric rival to Toyota GR86 – report

Mystery surrounds a concept teased by Honda earlier this year, but a new report suggests the Prelude nameplate could come out of retirement for a new Toyota GR86 rival.

The Honda Prelude could be making a comeback, according to the fresh rumours out of Japan.

Respected Japanese magazine Best Car has reported Honda is looking to resurrect the Prelude badge in 2028, set to return as an electric coupe to compete against the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ twins.

In April 2022, Honda teased “a specialty and a flagship model” under covers (below) – part of 30 new electric cars to debut by 2030 – with one of the vehicles likely to be successor to the NSX supercar.

The other coupe could receive the Prelude name, according to the report.

With the Integra name already being used in some markets, Honda could be digging into its past to name the mysterious sports car, resurrecting the Prelude badge after a 27-year absence – if the proposed date of 2028 is accurate.

However, the rumoured launch date is still six years away – and the name, if Best Car’s reporting proves correct, may change.

This speculative illustration by Best Car (top) shows what the 2028 Honda Prelude could look like, based on the silhouette shown to the world earlier this year.

MORE: Honda teases two electric sports cars, possible electric ute as part of broad EV plans

While the unconfirmed rumour suggests the Honda coupe will be based on a standalone electric platform, in recent weeks the same publication reported an all-new GR86 was coming to market after 2025, powered by a hybridised version of the three-cylinder turbo engine found in the GR Yaris.

It’s not clear yet whether the Prelude will continue to be front-wheel drive – as with all previous models dating back to 1978 – or if the “specialty” sports car will join a very exclusive club of rear-wheel-drive Honda models.

If the vehicle does mirror the Toyota GR86 (and its twin, the Subaru BRZ), it could potentially borrow its platform from the small Honda E hatchback, which utilises a chassis with 50:50 weight distribution and a rear-mounted electric motor.

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