Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Honda Prelude"That's a beautiful car," says an elderly pedestrian passing as I step into the new Honda Prelude.Later, when I am stuck in traffic on the A1, the driver of a beaten-up Ford Transit gestures at me to roll down the window: "Nice car, is it electric?"A new car with such swoopy, impractical styling? Even mainstream drivers sit up and take notice.Before the Honda Prelude, the only new coupés from non-premium marques in the 2020s have been the Toyota GR86 and Ford Mustang.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe latter is already off-sale, and both were heavy facelifts of older models.White van man's confusion is warranted, though, because the Prelude has an odd – if en vogue – powertrain.Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Honda PreludeBorrowed from the Honda Civic, its 2-litre, naturally aspirated, Atkinson-cycle engine only drives the wheels via the single-speed transmission when cruising.The rest of the time it charges a battery that powers the car via a front-mounted electric motor, and at times will drive in electric-only mode.This means it performs like an EV, feeling quicker off the mark than its 8.2 secs 0-62mph time suggests, but matched by the growl of an internal-combustion engine.AdvertisementAdvertisementThere's no real reason for the revs to rise with acceleration – it's done for effect, and can be accentuated by engaging a simulated eight-speed gearbox controlled by paddles.Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Honda PreludeThis is only a briefly entertaining gimmick, however, and you'll likely drive it like an auto most of the time.Beyond its elegant, long-tail styling, the real party piece is the Honda Prelude's front-drive chassis.The starting point is the Civic, uprated with components that mimic – though don't exactly copy – those of the recently discontinued Type R.Like that car it is brilliantly agile, but it doesn't break your spine over every pothole.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhether on tight back roads or high-speed sweepers, the Prelude is a joy, with one of the best steering racks going.The various drive modes offer real differentiation, too: Comfort is noticeably more floaty than Sport, for better and worse.Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Honda PreludeBasically, it does what the old Honda Prelude – and so many classic coupés before it – used to: takes ordinary running gear of the day, adds sharper driving manners and wraps it all in a good-looking body for those who don't regularly use back seats.The new Honda Prelude is not a true sports car, though its chassis is at least the equal of the rear-drive BMW 220i Coupé and I'd argue the Prelude is more fun in real-world driving conditions.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe challenge for its maker will be that its £41k price-tag matches that of the Munich offering, and buyers in this segment tend to be badge-conscious.It'll be their loss if they don't at least try one before going for the obvious option, and if Honda ever offers a Prelude with a traditional engine and a manual 'box, it'll be a slam dunk.Images: Jack HarrisonFactfileEngine 1993cc 'four', plus electric motor; 181bhp @ 5900rpm; 232lb ft @ 4500rpmTransmission single-speed auto, FWD0-62mph 8.2 secsTop speed 117mphMpg 54.3Price £40,995We hope you enjoyed reading. Please click the 'Follow' button for more super stories from Classic & Sports Car.