Reborn Honda Prelude could come to Australia

The Honda Prelude – a two-door sports car which departed showrooms in 2001 – could make an Australian return if the Japanese brand puts its latest hybrid concept into production.

At the Japanese motor show in October, Honda unveiled what is expected to be the new Prelude in concept form – first thought to be an electric car, before later reports suggested it was a petrol-hybrid, likely based on the same platform as the current-generation Civic.

Japanese media reports have previously claimed the reborn hybrid Honda Prelude is due to go into production from 2028, and recent trademark filings in Australia show it could one day be sold here.

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Just two days before the Prelude concept was revealed, Honda submitted a trademark application for the Prelude name to IP Australia, which is now awaiting examination.

While Honda still retains the rights to the Prelude name locally – having first done so in 1978, a year before the first-generation model went on sale in Australia – the previous filing is due to expire in May 2029.

Given the expected 2028 production timing for the Honda Prelude overseas, the latest trademark filing would allow the car maker to continue using the name in Australia into next decade and beyond.

Despite the concept car being powered by a petrol-hybrid engine, reports out of Japan have also suggested the Prelude could be sold with battery-electric power, though these are unofficial claims for now.

“We are diligently progressing with development. Please keep your expectations high for this model,” Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said on stage at the Tokyo motor show.

The Honda Prelude was sold in Australia from 1979 to 2001 across its five generations, bringing the world’s first four-wheel-steering system to local showrooms with the third-generation model.