The Return of the Honda Prelude and an Unexpected Digital Transformation
The return of the Honda Prelude coupe to the American market sparked discussions about its price and true capabilities. This car, one of the few modern low-slung coupes, stands out with its silhouette on the roads. However, digital artist Theophilus Chin decided to take a different path and not simply recreate the original.
He posed a completely different question: what if the Prelude transformed into something unexpected, for example, into a compact unibody pickup truck?
From Joke to Digital Project
As the author himself recounts, the idea arose almost by accident. Someone mistakenly wrote the name of the new hybrid coupe as “Prelute,” which unexpectedly brought to mind a Honda in the form of a pickup. This idea evolved into a full-fledged project to create renders.
“Prelute”: A Coupe That Hit the Gym
The imaginary car, dubbed the “Prelute,” is taller than the original coupe, has four full doors, and a short cargo bed at the rear. It’s as if the Prelude opted for weight training instead of cardio. It retains the lighting units of the production model, including the glider-like grille and angular bumper intakes.
If the silhouette of this custom work seems familiar, it’s because the digital artist used the Hyundai Santa Cruz as a base. The sporty proportions of the Korean pickup were deemed better suited for blending with Honda’s flowing lines compared to more angular competitors.
The renders preserve many elements from the Korean “donor.” The plastic wheel arch cladding, the roofline, and even the cargo bed rails were carried over to this fantasy creation, making it visually semi-realistic.
Technical Speculations and Market Position
The video does not mention exact technical specifications or dimensions, but if such a car were ever built, it could be based on the same unibody platform as the Honda CR-V. This would allow the use of the coupe’s hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter engine, paired with a gear-simulating CVT and optional all-wheel drive.
Such a combination could place it alongside models like the Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz, and future compact pickups from Toyota.
Future of the Project and Real Alternatives
Unfortunately, this car has almost no chance of leaving the digital realm. Honda does not seem interested in this segment and is unlikely to adapt the design code of its flagship coupe for a completely different body type.
Meanwhile, buyers looking for a Honda pickup are left with the Ridgeline model. Its current generation has been on sale since 2017 and, despite updates, is gradually becoming outdated. The new generation is expected to arrive after 2027 and, according to rumors, will receive a V6 hybrid powertrain developed for the brand’s larger North American models.
Interestingly, such fantasy projects as the “Prelute” often become indicators of the market’s unconscious desires or offer an alternative perspective on existing products. They demonstrate how a brand’s heritage can be reinterpreted in new ways, even if the manufacturer has no plans to implement such ideas. In Honda’s case, this is particularly noticeable in the contrast between the brand’s sporting past and its current, more utilitarian and family-oriented direction. Such renders also highlight the activity and creativity of the independent automotive community, which continues to experiment with forms and concepts, often filling niches that official manufacturers avoid.