Taking Your Passenger into the Sky Together PRELUDE Design Pursued the Ultimate of “For Two”｜Interview｜Honda Design

Shaping the future of PRELUDE
New experience created by Interior and CMF design

Interior design inspired by gliders

──The PRELUDE has a history of delivering excitement through speed and engine sound. As electrification transforms the nature of driving, countless rounds of prototyping and testing conducted to achieve dynamic driving performance that is different from traditional sports models. Throughout that process, Higashimori, the interior designer, was especially focused on bridging the gap between the “dynamic driving performance” and the “snug fit that wraps around the body”.

Higashimori
The new PRELUDE has the grand concept of "UNLIMITED GLIDE." Riding a glider feels like being above the clouds or underwater due to the lack of power. You rise with the airflow and then glide down with gravity, repeating this cycle. It is a unique sensation of floating, which is light and effortless, and yet somehow you feel like you could keep flying forever.

Higashimori
With the PRELUDE, we wanted the driver to feel this gliding and floating sensation while providing a comfortable feeling that fits perfectly for the body. Our biggest mission was to integrate these contradictory experiences into the interior space.

──When the prototype seat was finally installed in the test car, there was a moment of clear realization, "This is it!" The designers and engineering team were thrilled by the simultaneous occurrence of the floating sensation like a glider and the perfect fit during cornering.

──The car is designed with ergonomics in mind, allowing the driver to rest their elbow on the armrest at the best position and naturally maintain a line of sight and posture when seated.

The PRELUDE is not just a sports car but a gentle car for driving with someone special. It pursues the comfort of both the driver and the passenger, with the passenger seat leaning towards relaxation. The luxurious space design allows for different sensations for the driver and the passenger while being in the same car.

To achieve the exceptional fit, the new PRELUDE underwent impression evaluation meetings with the actual car and analysis by ergonomics experts, rigorously verifying both numerical and sensory aspects. Shibuya, the CMF designer, added hidden touches to the materials and colors throughout the car to maximize its value.

A special space in PRELUDE
where the sensibilities of two people come together

──One of the defining features of the new PRELUDE is its ability to create distinct sensations for the driver and passenger, while also offering features that foster a shared emotional experience. In exploring what defines a date car in today’s world, Shibuya focused on the value of two people driving and enjoying the ride together. Building on that, the design blends the sensual allure of the PRELUDE as a date car with the exhilarating, glider-like feeling of flying through the sky.

Shibuya
For the interior color scheme, we are exploring a high-contrast coordination of crisp white and deep blue to evoke the refreshing sensation of gliding. We hope both the driver and passengers will feel a burst of exhilaration, like a breeze rushing through, the moment you open the door.

Shibuya
To create a special moment, we applied white upholstery to the instrument panel, center console, and door armrests to express the image of a glider spreading its wings. The white synthetic leather features a deeply textured grain, adding richness and depth to the color and material.

Shibuya
On the other hand, areas around the lower back of the seat, where you want to feel wrapped around, are finished in a deep navy to create contrast. This car is designed to offer a fulfilling experience not only when driving alone, but also when sharing time with someone together. Inspired by the idea of “two people,” we added playful and special touches such as bi-color stitching.

PRELUDE is a special model—even for Honda designers

A new “Prelude,” guided by the passion of its creators

──PRELUDE carries the meaning of a “prelude” that connects people and people, the past and future. Many of its original owners are now in their mid-40s to 60s, possibly having children or grandchildren of Gen Z. With this in mind, the new PRELUDE aims to resonates across generations, from “X” to “Z,” and foster connections that transcend time, allowing people of all ages and relationships to share a sense of excitement.

Shibuya
The first time I encountered the PRELUDE, I was thrilled. To me, as a creator, PRELUDE is a car I continue to admire.

Shibuya
In speaking with past PRELUDE owners, I was struck by how vividly they recalled “who they drove with and the moments they shared.” Many spoke passionately about what they loved in previous models. It made me realize that PRELUDE is a car that leaves a lasting impression on people’s lives. I hope the new PRELUDE will become such presence for those who choose it. And as for myself, I want to create products that become part of someone’s life story, just like the previous PRELUDEs.

Higashimori
I wanted to carry forward the uniqueness of “sophistication” that defines every generation of the PRELUDE. While the definition of sophistication in automotive design evolves with the times, I believe it is important to anticipate and incorporate the sophistication that will be required not just now, but in the near future. PRELUDE has always been a car that offers a glimpse into a future no one has seen yet. It may be a bit early to say this, but that is exactly why I hope the next generation of designers will not only live up to the expectations carried by the name “PRELUDE,” but go beyond them, continue to create new surprises and excitement.

──The new PRELUDE was created with unwavering dedication in every phase, from concept to completion. Seamlessly connecting stillness and motion, stability and floating, and sets out once again as a vehicle that redefines the “joy of driving” in the age of electrification. It is filled with the desire of Honda designers to deliver a new driving experience and a refined space that evokes the heartbeat of the future to many drivers.

Profiles

Yuuki Higashimori

Automobile
Product Designer

Kyoko Shibuya

Automobile
CMF Designer

HONDA The Power of Dreams