
The latest Honda coupe has tapped into nostalgia, with a significant number of buyers aged in their 50s and 60s contributing to its outstanding success. Honda has received 2,400 orders for the Prelude within a month, which is eight times the expected amount. Most purchasers are in their 50s and 60s, with nostalgia cited as the primary reason for their interest in the model. Many of these buyers are adding the Prelude as a chic second car or for weekend use. The Prelude is officially making a comeback, and Honda’s focus on nostalgia combined with hybrid performance is already reaping rewards. Just one month after its debut on September 5, Honda reports securing 2,400 orders in Japan. This number is approximately eight times greater than Honda's initial projections, despite the Prelude’s premium price of ¥6,179,800 (around $41,100 or €35,000 at current exchange rates). This price point is not only high for Honda but even surpasses that of the Nissan Z, which offers 400 hp and starts at ¥5,497,800 ($36,300 or €31,100). To accommodate the unexpected demand, Honda is implementing adjustments behind the scenes. Some dealerships have already stopped accepting new orders, while Honda is increasing production to fulfill existing orders. The automaker aims for “as many customers as possible” to experience the Prelude, suggesting that production might soon exceed original forecasts. The Predominantly Older Buyers Interestingly, Honda is not attracting a wave of younger buyers with the Prelude; instead, it is Generation X and Baby Boomers in their 50s and 60s who are eagerly purchasing this new two-door hybrid. This demographic is filled with individuals who cherish memories of earlier Prelude models and are willing to invest now to relive aspects of their youth. While this modern version may not have the raw edge of the original, it remains both practical and stylish. The breakdown of color choices also sheds light on the buyers' preferences. A significant portion (63 percent) selected Moonlight White Pearl for their vehicle's exterior, followed by 16 percent choosing Meteoroid Gray Metallic, 11 percent opting for Crystal Black Pearl, and only 10 percent picking Flame Red. Hybrid Technology with a Honda Touch The new Prelude is built on Honda’s e:HEV hybrid platform, which finds a middle ground between a traditional hybrid and an electric vehicle. Notably, it does not feature a conventional transmission; instead, it uses two electric motors to send power to the wheels, drawing energy from a generator powered by the gasoline engine. A new feature called “S+ Shift” offers a “sharp shift feel similar to a stepped shift,” and the front suspension benefits from components of the Civic Type-R's dual-axis strut and active dampers. This setup is designed to deliver a driving experience unlike any other Honda has created. At the core of the Prelude is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 134 lb-ft (182 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm. This engine works in tandem with an electric motor that generates 181 horsepower and 232 lb-ft (315 Nm) of torque. However, since the two systems provide power differently, their combined output reaches 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft (315 Nm). Sales in the US The new Prelude is expected to hit the American market later this fall, with pricing information to be revealed soon. We are looking forward to experiencing it.
Aston Martin need not be concerned, as even Alexander Skarsgård can't salvage this advertisement.
Polestar has introduced a new James Bond-inspired ad for the Polestar 5, featuring Skarsgård as a would-be secret agent. While the car boasts impressive specs with up to 872 hp and 749 lb-ft of torque, the promotional clip falls short.
Recently revealed at the Munich Motor Show, the Polestar 5 is the brand's most exciting vehicle since the Polestar 1. Unfortunately, its marketing approach is overly cringeworthy. Instead of crafting something engaging and innovative, they opted to draw from the James Bond formula. To make matters worse, Skarsgård's performance feels lackluster, resulting in an ad that diminishes the car's appeal.
The advertisement's structure follows a typical Bond and Q scenario. Skarsgård admires the vehicle, and a younger character offers assistance. Skarsgård praises the 5 as magnificent and questions if it has been allocated to another agent. Confused, the assistant—the "Not Q"—mentions a few details before Skarsgård asks about its capability to turn invisible, referencing the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish from *Die Another Day*.
The ad continues inside the car, where the assistant discusses features, and Skarsgård inquires about a flamethrower. They also highlight the digital rearview mirror in place of a traditional rear window.
Overall, the clip feels like a dull recitation of a specifications sheet, with mediocre acting attempting to add excitement. The lack of success in the ad isn’t surprising, considering it was “produced entirely by Polestar’s in-house creative team.”
Nonetheless, the Polestar 5 itself is far more captivating than the advertisement suggests. Designed to compete with the Porsche Taycan, it utilizes a unique platform and comes equipped with a 112 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, compatible with either of two dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems.
The base model generates a remarkable 738 hp (550 kW / 748 PS) and 599 lb-ft (812 Nm) of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds, with a maximum speed of 155 mph (250 km/h). Additionally, it offers a WLTP range of up to 416 miles (670 km).
The Performance variant raises the stakes with 872 hp (650 kW / 884 PS) and 749 lb-ft (1,015 Nm) of torque, reducing the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time to 3.2 seconds, although its range decreases to 351 miles (565 km).
The car's initial launch will be aimed at 24 markets, excluding North America. Consequently, pricing and availability details for the United States and Canada remain unclear.

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The latest Honda coupe has tapped into nostalgia, with a significant number of buyers aged in their 50s and 60s contributing to its outstanding success. Honda has received 2,400 orders for the Prelude within a month, which is eight times the expected amount. Most purchasers are in their 50s and 60s, with nostalgia cited as the primary reason for their interest in the model. Many of these buyers are adding the Prelude as a chic second car or for weekend use. The Prelude is officially making a comeback, and Honda’s focus on nostalgia combined with hybrid performance is already reaping rewards. Just one month after its debut on September 5, Honda reports securing 2,400 orders in Japan. This number is approximately eight times greater than Honda's initial projections, despite the Prelude’s premium price of ¥6,179,800 (around $41,100 or €35,000 at current exchange rates). This price point is not only high for Honda but even surpasses that of the Nissan Z, which offers 400 hp and starts at ¥5,497,800 ($36,300 or €31,100). To accommodate the unexpected demand, Honda is implementing adjustments behind the scenes. Some dealerships have already stopped accepting new orders, while Honda is increasing production to fulfill existing orders. The automaker aims for “as many customers as possible” to experience the Prelude, suggesting that production might soon exceed original forecasts. The Predominantly Older Buyers Interestingly, Honda is not attracting a wave of younger buyers with the Prelude; instead, it is Generation X and Baby Boomers in their 50s and 60s who are eagerly purchasing this new two-door hybrid. This demographic is filled with individuals who cherish memories of earlier Prelude models and are willing to invest now to relive aspects of their youth. While this modern version may not have the raw edge of the original, it remains both practical and stylish. The breakdown of color choices also sheds light on the buyers' preferences. A significant portion (63 percent) selected Moonlight White Pearl for their vehicle's exterior, followed by 16 percent choosing Meteoroid Gray Metallic, 11 percent opting for Crystal Black Pearl, and only 10 percent picking Flame Red. Hybrid Technology with a Honda Touch The new Prelude is built on Honda’s e:HEV hybrid platform, which finds a middle ground between a traditional hybrid and an electric vehicle. Notably, it does not feature a conventional transmission; instead, it uses two electric motors to send power to the wheels, drawing energy from a generator powered by the gasoline engine. A new feature called “S+ Shift” offers a “sharp shift feel similar to a stepped shift,” and the front suspension benefits from components of the Civic Type-R's dual-axis strut and active dampers. This setup is designed to deliver a driving experience unlike any other Honda has created. At the core of the Prelude is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 134 lb-ft (182 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm. This engine works in tandem with an electric motor that generates 181 horsepower and 232 lb-ft (315 Nm) of torque. However, since the two systems provide power differently, their combined output reaches 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft (315 Nm). Sales in the US The new Prelude is expected to hit the American market later this fall, with pricing information to be revealed soon. We are looking forward to experiencing it.
Aston Martin need not be concerned, as even Alexander Skarsgård can't rescue this advertisement.