Honda has resurrected the Prelude name, unveiling the concept at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. The Prelude, a nomenclature last seen in the late '90s, has historically represented front-wheel drive, 2-door coupes. By the 2000s, this mantle transitioned to the Civic Coupe, epitomized by the EP3 Civic Type R.

However, the subsequent Civic Coupe iterations catered mostly to the left-hand drive North and Latin American markets.

The landscape changed with the current FE generation Civic, which phased out the coupe variant, even the Civic Si in the US morphed into a 4-door sedan. This shift mirrors the global dwindling demand for coupes.

Yet, the Prelude concept that we see here is a testament to Honda’s willingness to persevere with this category. We have strong reasons to believe that the Prelude is a two-door coupe version of the current FE generation Honda Civic.

By rebranding the Civic Si Coupe as the Prelude, Honda could distance it from the performance-oriented image cast by the halo Civic Type R. This maneuver liberates the two-door coupe from the stringent performance benchmarks usually reserved for a two-door Civic, aligning it more with the relaxed, fun, yet comfy sports car vibe the Prelude was known for.

The Prelude, unlike the Civic known for its street racing prowess, had a reputation for being an easy-going yet enjoyable ride—aptly termed as Japan's best 'dating car' due to its comfort over the sporty, skirts-friendly interior and seats.

The showcased Prelude concept car is notably advanced in its development phase. Eschewing the extravagant design typical of concept cars, it bears a striking resemblance to a ready-for-market vehicle. Its functioning headlights, taillights, regular side mirrors, and even wipers, hint at its near road-legal status. Sharing the same 5-lug wheel hub with the Civic, the Prelude concept retains some familial traits.

However, a glance from the side reveals a tall A-pillar, seemingly at odds with the sloping rear roofline—a design quirk carried over from the previous generation Civic Si Coupe, owing to its 4-door sedan roots.

We can’t see the Prelude concept’s interior yet, but from the heavily tinted glass, we could still make out that it’s a left-hand drive car. However, the fact that the Prelude concept is shown in Tokyo suggests that Honda has plans to market the new Prelude in right-hand drive Asian markets.

No details were shared on its powertrain, but CEO Toshihiro Mibe said, "This model will become the prelude for our future models which will inherit the “joy of driving” into the full-fledged electrified future and embody Honda’s unalterable sports mindset." Since it's based on the Civic, expect the e:HEV variant's 2.0-litre two-motor full-hybrid to power the forthcoming Prelude.

The Prelude concept’s debut signals Honda's sustained interest in the affordable coupe market, a segment now scarcely populated barring the Toyota GR86 and its Subaru BRZ counterpart. This move, heralding the Prelude’s return, could potentially reignite interest in coupes, especially in right-hand drive markets across Asia, offering a blend of nostalgic charm and modern-day driving experience.

If you are wondering if Honda Malaysia will launch the Prelude, well it's too early to even make a guess so let's wait for more details.