If The Honda Prelude Doesn't Go Into Production, I'll Eat My Shoe

Honda just took the wraps off a new Prelude concept at the Japan Mobility Show, and it’s hard not to get excited about a sporty electric coupe that would probably be relatively affordable. As with all concepts, though, it makes sense to be skeptical. For example, the Nissan Hyper Force concept is going to have to change drastically if it ever goes into production, and we’re not exactly holding our breath waiting for the chance to drive it. The Prelude, though? That’s a completely different story. Trust me when I tell you Honda’s actually going to build this thing.

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First, we’ve got Honda’s recent history to consider. Honda and Acura don’t really do concepts the way a lot of other companies do. They don’t usually show off design studies that have no chance of making it to production. Generally speaking, when Honda shows off a concept, it’s to give us a good idea of what you’ll eventually be able to buy at your local dealer. We’re not entirely sure what’s going on with the Afeela, Honda’s collaboration concept with Sony, but even that one looks closer to being production-ready than most concepts.

Odds are, we’ll probably see something real come out of that collaboration even if it doesn’t look exactly the same as the prototype. If we don’t, it’ll probably be more because the partnership broke down for some reason, not because Honda never had any intention of putting it into production.

The Prelude concept, though? Even without seeing the interior, I can tell you Honda isn’t messing around. Just look at the side-view mirrors. Those aren’t slim little cameras that the U.S. Department of Transportation won’t allow. Those are real, production-ready mirrors. And if you look closely, I’m pretty sure those are recessed windshield wipers. Who goes to the trouble of putting windshield wipers on a concept they don’t plan to produce? Also, the wheels are a normal size that you’d actually see on the road, not 24-inch monstrosities that no one other than Lamborghini Urus drivers has any interest in.

Additionally, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe spoke about the Prelude like it’s already a done deal:

Honda has always been committed to creating sporty vehicles. And the word “prelude” means an “introductory or preceding performance.” 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. The Prelude Concept is a specialty sports model that will offer exhilarating experience that makes you want to keep going forever and extraordinary excitement you never felt before.

In order to offer the “joy of driving” only Honda can realize, we are diligently progressing with development, so please keep your expectations high for this model.

I’m telling you, Honda’s actually going to build the Prelude. I’m so confident about that assertion, if Honda doesn’t actually build the Prelude, I will eat my shoe. Possibly not the shoe I’m wearing today because drivers tend to wear out pretty quickly but it will be whatever shoe I’m wearing at the time we get the news that there isn’t actually going to be a production Honda Prelude.

And Honda, if you’re reading this, consider yourself on notice. I’ve publicly pledged to eat a shoe if you don’t build the Prelude. It’s going to taste awful, and while leather is technically edible, I’m pretty sure rubber and glue aren’t. Assuming I can get the whole thing down, I guarantee it’s going to be a gastrointestinal disaster. I might even have to go to the hospital, and if that happens, it will be your fault.

All you have to do is put the Prelude into production, and I won’t have to go through with this. Do you really want this on your conscience? Do you want me to eat an entire shoe? I didn’t think so. Not that I actually have anything to worry about. I know you wouldn’t mess with us like this, and I look forward to receiving the invitation to attend the press drive soon.