- X-Tomi Design renders a Honda Prelude Cabriolet with folding fabric roof
- Retains eCVT and 200-hp hybrid four-cylinder
- Prelude convertibles were built by Solaire Corporation
When Honda revealed the revived 2026 Prelude earlier this year, fans were thrilled – until the specs dropped. The coupe that was supposed to bring back the spirit of Honda’s ‘90s icons instead returned as a hybrid with an eCVT and a modest 200-hp four-banger borrowed from the Civic Hybrid. Efficient? Absolutely. Exciting? Not quite. Now, digital artist X-Tomi Design has imagined a version that might finally get some fans excited.
Honda Prelude Cabrio Design
Much like the production-ready coupe, this digital Prelude Cabrio retains the sleek proportions and minimalist styling that fans admired – one of the few things about the new model that drew praise. The rendering, finished in Boost Blue Pearl with 19-inch Berlina Black wheels and a black fabric top, leans into its streamlined design language. On paper, it might sound like an “Evoque Convertible situation”, but somehow, this one works.
Not the First Topless Prelude
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While Honda never officially built a convertible Prelude, the idea isn’t new. Back in the day, the Solaire Corporation converted a handful of first-generation Preludes into drop-tops, which were sold through Honda dealerships in the US. So while a factory-built convertible might be unlikely, history shows there’s precedent for independent firms taking matters into their own hands. With demand in Japan already surprisingly strong among older enthusiasts, the idea of a limited-run drop-top version doesn’t feel entirely far-fetched.
Could Honda Ever Make It Happen?
Honda
A factory-built convertible Prelude remains as likely as, well, Honda putting a V8 into a Civic. The company’s current lineup leans heavily toward hybrids and crossovers, with limited bandwidth for niche projects. Still, renders like X-Tomi’s Prelude Cabrio keep the dream alive. Maybe a convertible Prelude isn’t on the table for now, but if Honda ever does revisit the idea, a drop-top might just be the spark that gets fans excited again.
