Honda just stole the show at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 by tapping into their past to define their future. In a stunning reveal, the company announced the return of the Prelude, a name that makes any enthusiast’s heart beat faster. But this isn’t just a nostalgia act. The new Prelude is a “specialty sports model” designed to carry the “joy of driving” into the electrified era, blending Honda’s legendary engine know-how with its next-generation technology. Alongside this icon, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe unveiled a sweeping, ambitious vision that stretches from compact city cars to outer space. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Honda 0 Series: A new beginning
The core of Honda’s electric future is the Honda 0 Series, a new family of EVs built from “zero.” The goal is to defy the current EV convention of being “thick and heavy.” Honda’s new mantra is “Thin, Light, and Wise.”
This philosophy results in low-slung, sporty designs with spacious interiors, all built on a dedicated low-floor EV platform. The key models revealed include:
o Honda 0 Saloon: The flagship concept, boasting a sleek, low-profile design and a cabin far more spacious than its exterior suggests.
o Honda 0 SUV: The first 0 Series model scheduled for launch. It’s a mid-size SUV that uses the “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach to maximize interior space and visibility.
o Honda 0 α (alpha): A world premiere, this new SUV is positioned as the “gateway model” to the 0 Series. With a sleek design for both city and nature, the 0 α is a crucial model for our region. Honda plans to begin global sales in 2027, specifically launching in Japan and India, signaling a strong focus on the Asian market.
An EV for enthusiasts: The Super-ONE Prototype
For those who love Honda’s pocket rockets, the Super-ONE Prototype is a jolt of pure fun. This compact EV, based on the lightweight N Series platform, is designed for “sporty and nimble” driving.
Its most talked-about feature? A “Boost Mode” developed exclusively for the car. When activated, power output increases while a synthesized engine sound fills the cabin, synced to the feeling of shifting gears. It’s Honda’s way of blending EV acceleration with the analog fun of an engine-powered car.
Better yet, the Super-ONE is slated for a 2026 launch, starting in Japan and followed by “various Asian countries”—a very strong hint for markets like the Philippines.
The Brains: Asimo OS and Next-Gen ADAS
Powering these new vehicles is the ASIMO OS, Honda’s original vehicle operating system. Named after its famous robot, the OS promises “ultra-personal optimization” by learning the driver’s preferences and driving patterns.
Honda is also strengthening its intelligent tech with a next-generation ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system). Set a destination, and the system will be able to “take charge of driving,” controlling the accelerator and steering for a comfortable, stress-free ride, even on unfamiliar roads. This new ADAS is planned for both EVs and hybrid models around 2027.
From 2 wheels to outer space
Honda’s vision wasn’t limited to cars. The company also premiered:
o The Acura RSX Prototype: The first model on Acura’s independent EV platform, also running the Asimo OS.
o The EV Outlier Concept: A wild electric motorcycle concept with in-wheel motors on both wheels, proposing a new vision for 2-wheeled mobility beyond 2030.
o eVTOLs and rockets: Reaffirming its commitment to total mobility, Honda showed off its eVTOL (flying vehicle) concepts and, stunningly, an actual rocket used for a launch-and-landing test in Japan. Honda is developing “sustainable rockets” that are reusable and run on renewable fuel.
Banner image shows the New Prelude