What's the difference?
Honda is a company that rarely looks back.
Badge aside, the resurrected Prelude series is more about being revolutionary than retro, with not even any classic-era styling cues (though a few likely Porsche ones).
In fact, Honda made it clear this was created as a hybrid sports car first, with the name settled on later. Probably by marketing.
It could just as easily have been branded Integra, which – given the shared Civic platform and liftback when previous Preludes had two doors only – might have been the case, except that name is already on an Acura and Chinese GAC version of Honda’s venerable small car.
That said, its new sports car is arguably more Prelude in spirit than even some of the past originals were anyway, and then some, and here’s why.
The days of very short caravans are over – almost no one would consider buying even a 14-foot caravan in today's age – but despite that, Jayco's simplest camper-trailer almost mimics the layout of a regular-sized vintage caravan.
At just 14-foot long, the Penguin encloses its bed, dinette and kitchen without any extensions, and does it quite smartly, too.
Expectations have clearly been exceeded by the latest Honda Prelude.
Along with a striking design, combining hybrid with Civic Type R-enhanced engineering underneath has created a uniquely frugal yet ferociously capable 2+2-seater coupe experience that rarely puts a foot wrong. Possessing no spare wheel is its worst sin.
This is one of the most enjoyable Hondas we have ever driven, period. If sports coupes are your thing, then the $65,000 drive-away pricing is just the icing on a most delicious cake. Brilliant and tasty.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
At nearly $25,000 the Penguin can't really be called cheap, but what does make it worth a look is the completely contained living space – the sitting, sleeping and cooking are all done inside, and that's a boon when the weather turns.
It's ideal if you want the comfort of a caravan without the bulk of one, and the ease of towing a more traditional camper-trailer offers, without the struggle of set-up.