PRELUDE returns after 25 years
Maximum expression by Exterior and Package designers
Running through like flying
The design philosophy inspired by gliders
──The new PRELUDE is a car designed for "driving" performance, but its appeal, which has passed down through the generations, is not limited to that. Perhaps for this reason, during the early stage of development, there were conflict images such as the "fast-looking form”, “aggressive power that makes your veins bulge on the circuit” expected of a sports model like the CIVIC TYPE R, and the “quiet ride typical of a hybrid”. Everyone struggled to grasp the image. Norihito Onuma, in charge of exterior design, and Yoshihisa Yanagimoto, in charge of package design, reflected on the development process, saying “It was far from a straight path.”
Yanagimoto
The concept of the new PRELUDE is "a car to ride with someone special," so it should not be an overly aggressive sports car that gets your blood pumping, but a gentle car to drive with someone important next to you. However, if we focus too much on the quiet and clean ride characteristic of electric vehicles, it lacks the driving thrill as a specialty sports car. This was a very difficult challenge, but regardless of the changing times, whether it is gasoline-powered or electric vehicles, our commitment at Honda to never give up on the "joy of driving" remains unchanged. We were determined to showcase that spirit through the new PRELUDE.
Onuma
During a time when countless ideas were flying around and things were not coming together, a conversation with the head of development brought up the word “glider.” In that moment, all the scattered elements seemed to align along a single thread, and the vision for the new PRELUDE became clear.
──The grand concept that emerged through the design process is “UNLIMITED GLIDE.” Gliders are unpowered, but can repeatedly rise by taking advantage of updrafts and has the potential to fly over 200 km. It is a vehicle that enjoys finding the spot for smooth, comfortable ride. The unique sense of effortless motion and tension was exactly the driving experience that the new PRELUDE aspired to deliver.
Yanagimoto
With the new PRELUDE, we wanted to bring a clear image of sustainability as a pioneer in the age of electrification. Our team went gliding to apply it to the development. Gliders fly with a highly efficient airframe without any power source. This evokes the image of high environmental performance, and the word "specialty" seemed to be the perfect fit. It overlapped with the values of our target users and the purpose of new PRELUDE. The glider became the perfect motif, which combines the elements of highly efficient grand touring and a sports model that can fully maximize the joy of driving.
Onuma
As a sports model, it needs to embody the power to contain driving dynamics. The basic design principle for the PRELUDE is to achieve a one-on-one balance between "what the car holds inside" and "how its inner strength is expressed through its exterior"
At the front, we used motifs that thrust forward to express the lightness of a glider at the moment of takeoff. In contrast, the rear emphasizes grounded stability and strength. To evoke the aesthetic of containment and liberation embodied by the glider at the same time, we went through numerous iterations in shaping the form. With a new hybrid powertrain, it realized the exhilarating driving experience that defines the value of a sports model, and I believe it has played a significant role as a bridge to the era of electrification.
Yanagimoto
We designed the two lines on the hood to make the position of the tires visually clear from the driver's seat. The beltline from the fender to the door is connected without interruption, and the interior lining is also designed to extend horizontally in a smooth, continuous motion.
Yanagimoto
This alignment between the exterior view and the interior lines makes it easier to perceive the direction of travel and making parking much easier. To realize this design, many professionals, including the exterior and ergonomics teams, collaborated closely.
Sporty and refined. Everything for an authentic presence
──Onuma pursued the texture of each part of the exterior. The detailed commitment to embodying "UNLIMITED GLIDE" is evident everywhere. The surface of the multifunction lights features fine stripes that evoke the dynamic motion of wings spreading outward. Housed within a blacked-out, three-dimensional structure, the triple-light configuration (low beam, adaptive driving beam, and active cornering light) combines a sharp gaze with a sense of refinement, emphasizing the distinctive presence of a specialty sports car.
Onuma
Also, the Brembo brake calipers, newly designed with refreshing blue accents, and the logo emblem, redesigned in a flowing cursive style, were both created from scratch. These elements add a sporty yet refined touch, perfectly suited to the new PRELUDE in the era of electrification.
──Sports models often create a negative social image, with people saying “they are huge, take up a lot of road space, and can only seat two people, offering little room for luggage.” In contrast, the new PRELUDE is compact, yet still has ample space for luggage and has a usable rear seat.
A sports model that delivers the joy of driving, accommodates the whole family, and remains fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly. ──With the new PRELUDE, Honda is presenting a new value proposition.
Profiles
Yoshihisa Yanagimoto
Automobile
Product Designer
Norihito Onuma
Automobile
Product Designer
