First Honda Prologue image

[Domenick]

Honda has finally teased the Prologue, and it's with a pretty revealing image (below).
Designed in California and Japan, it should arrive at US dealers in early 2024.
The shape is pretty simple and smooth for aero. Interesting, though, that they didn't give it flush door handles of some kind. This is an early sketch, though, so there may still be some small changes.

As a reminder, Prologue is being developed with GM and will have an Ultium battery. It may also have other Ultium architecture -- motors, inverters, etc -- but I don't believed that's confirmed.

 

[electriceddy]

Honda has finally teased the Prologue, and it's with a pretty revealing image (below).
Designed in California and Japan, it should arrive at US dealers in early 2024.
The shape is pretty simple and smooth for aero. Interesting, though, that they didn't give it flush door handles of some kind. This is an early sketch, though, so there may still be some small changes.

As a reminder, Prologue is being developed with GM and will have an Ultium battery. It may also have other Ultium architecture -- motors, inverters, etc -- but I don't believed that's confirmed.

View attachment 16424

Nice looking EV... hopefully they can achieve a base model starting MSRP close to what was originally quoted:

"The partnership should come as no surprise given that the two brands had previously committed to working together on shared platforms. In 2021, the duo confirmed that GM would work to build electric crossovers for the Honda and Acura brands, including the Honda Prologue and a large SUV for Acura. Honda has also previously invested $750 million in GM's self-driving outfit, Cruise.


The remarkable part is the potential to lower the cost of electric cars for consumers. The partnership will is expected to potentially drive down the cost of some jointly-developed EVs to below $30,000, according to GM's Vice President of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Ken Morris."
Source:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/45074/honda-and-gm-want-to-build-sub-30000-electric-crossovers

 

[Domenick]

The remarkable part is the potential to lower the cost of electric cars for consumers. The partnership will is expected to potentially drive down the cost of some jointly-developed EVs to below $30,000, according to GM's Vice President of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Ken Morris."
Source:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/45074/honda-and-gm-want-to-build-sub-30000-electric-crossovers

Yeah, GM's approach with Ultium is all driving down cost through scale and short development times, so this is a great arrangement for them.

 

[R P]

Who is actually manufacturing the the Prologue, Honda or GM? I assume both will sell their own version of this car, similar to the Solterra/bZ4X which is manufactured by Toyota.

 

[Domenick]

Who is actually manufacturing the the Prologue, Honda or GM? I assume both will sell their own version of this car, similar to the Solterra/bZ4X which is manufactured by Toyota.

I believe Honda is manufacturing. I don't think there's a GM vehicle that will share exterior sheet metal. Not even sure the Acura will have the same sheet metal.

 

[R P]

I believe Honda is manufacturing. I don't think there's a GM vehicle that will share exterior sheet metal. Not even sure the Acura will have the same sheet metal.

But quoting from the article, sounds like maybe both of them will be building on the same platform.

The partnership should come as no surprise given that the two brands had previously committed to working together on shared platforms. In 2021, the duo confirmed that GM would work to build electric crossovers for the Honda and Acura brands, including the Honda Prologue and a large SUV for Acura. Honda has also previously invested $750 million in GM's self-driving outfit, Cruise.

The remarkable part is the potential to lower the cost of electric cars for consumers. The partnership will is expected to potentially drive down the cost of some jointly-developed EVs to below $30,000, according to GM's Vice President of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Ken Morris.

 

[Domenick]

But quoting from the article, sounds like maybe both of them will be building on the same platform.

The partnership should come as no surprise given that the two brands had previously committed to working together on shared platforms. In 2021, the duo confirmed that GM would work to build electric crossovers for the Honda and Acura brands, including the Honda Prologue and a large SUV for Acura. Honda has also previously invested $750 million in GM's self-driving outfit, Cruise.

The remarkable part is the potential to lower the cost of electric cars for consumers. The partnership will is expected to potentially drive down the cost of some jointly-developed EVs to below $30,000, according to GM's Vice President of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Ken Morris.

Right, the same basic platform, but different body styling. And the Acura sounds like it will actually be larger (though likely same/similar underpinnings.

 

[R P]

Right, the same basic platform, but different body styling. And the Acura sounds like it will actually be larger (though likely same/similar underpinnings.

Oh, yeah, of course. Sort of like the Kona/Nero and Ioniq 5/EV6. Very different on the outside, but same platforms.

Sounds to me that it will be more a GM car though, than Honda, on the platform I mean. Nothing wrong with that, as long as the Ultium technology is as good as being touted.

As an aside, I am on my local dealer's list (#92) to order a Silverado EV, probably won't see it until 2024/25. What I liked about it were the dual Ultium battery packs (400V) both being able to charge simultaneously at a 350 kW charger to achieve charging speeds similar to an 800V battery. I owned a Chevy Avalanche many years ago, and was very happy with the flexible functionality (midgate). I made very good use of that vehicle. This truck looks very similar in that respect, but is an EV.

 

[Nebula]

I believe Honda is manufacturing. I don't think there's a GM vehicle that will share exterior sheet metal. Not even sure the Acura will have the same sheet metal.

The Honda and Acura are going to be manufactured in GM plants.

The Honda will be built in Ramos Arizpe along side the Blazer EV and Equinox EV, while the Acura will be built in Spring Hill along side the Lyriq.

 

[insightman]

I believe Honda is manufacturing. I don't think there's a GM vehicle that will share exterior sheet metal. Not even sure the Acura will have the same sheet metal.

Here are the electric Equinox and the Prologue. Similar, but I don't see any shared sheet metal. They don't appear to have the same location for their charging ports, either. The door handles on the Equinox are nearly invisible compared with the range-robbing handles on the Prologue. Of course, it would be better if the Prologue wasn't just a sketch. (Note: As you can see from the reversed bow-tie, I flipped the photo of the Equinox.)

 

[Nebula]

Here are the electric Equinox and the Prologue. Similar, but I don't see any shared sheet metal. They don't appear to have the same location for their charging ports, either. The door handles on the Equinox are nearly invisible compared with the range-robbing handles on the Prologue. Of course, it would be better if the Prologue wasn't just a sketch. (Note: As you can see from the reversed bow-tie, I flipped the photo of the Equinox.)

View attachment 16453

"They don't appear to have the same location for their charging ports, either."

That's because you mirrored a picture from the passenger side of the Equinox...
The Equinox has a charge port on the driver side front quarter panel... in the same place as the Prologue if you pay attention to other photos and the recent video from GM of the Equinox.

However, the Prologue is at least the size of the Blazer, not an Equinox...

 

[insightman]

"They don't appear to have the same location for their charging ports, either."

That's because you mirrored a picture from the passenger side of the Equinox...
The Equinox has a charge port on the driver side front quarter panel... in the same place as the Prologue if you pay attention to other photos and the recent video from GM of the Equinox.

However, the Prologue is the size of the Blazer, not an Equinox...

Thanks for your astute observations. I should have realized flipping the Equinox invalidated my claim. Also, you're right that the Prologue looks larger than the Equinox, so the Blazer will be closer in size. I should delete my flawed post, but then people wouldn't see it and understand your analysis of my errors.

 

[insightman]

The best Blazer image I could find. I'll refrain from conclusions this time.

 

[Domenick]

The door handles on the Equinox are nearly invisible compared with the range-robbing handles on the Prologue.
View attachment 16453

This is my latest pet peeve: non-flush door handles on electric cars. It looks better, cars go farther on a charge, just do it!

Yeah, I also think the Prologue will be closer to Blazer size, though it was cool to see it with the Equinox.

 

[LegoZ]

The Honda and Acura are going to be manufactured in GM plants.

If it walks like a GM and talks like a GM it must be a GM. It is infuriating to me that Honda can’t pull their head out of their posterior and release something on their own. If I wanted a GM produce I’d buy a GM product from a GM brand… ugh… at least it is going to be more than a just a rebadge but still… Likely not going on any of my lists.

 

[Domenick]

If it walks like a GM and talks like a GM it must be a GM. It is infuriating to me that Honda can’t pull their head out of their posterior and release something on their own. If I wanted a GM produce I’d buy a GM product from a GM brand… ugh… at least it is going to be more than a just a rebadge but still… Likely not going on any of my lists.

It will have a lot of Ultium DNA, but there's still the opportunity to give the car a very different look and other non-GM characteristics. We'll see with Lyriq, Equinox, and others how good the Ultium platform really is. If it's quite robust and scale helps keep the price competitive, this might not be the worse way for Honda to go for now.
Personally, I think it makes sense to develop its own platform rather than use GM or Sony, but I guess they feel this is the best way for them to enter the market with EVs.

 

[Jim1960]

Nice looking EV... hopefully they can achieve a base model starting MSRP close to what was originally quoted:

"The partnership should come as no surprise given that the two brands had previously committed to working together on shared platforms. In 2021, the duo confirmed that GM would work to build electric crossovers for the Honda and Acura brands, including the Honda Prologue and a large SUV for Acura. Honda has also previously invested $750 million in GM's self-driving outfit, Cruise.


The remarkable part is the potential to lower the cost of electric cars for consumers. The partnership will is expected to potentially drive down the cost of some jointly-developed EVs to below $30,000, according to GM's Vice President of Electric and Autonomous Vehicles, Ken Morris."
Source:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/45074/honda-and-gm-want-to-build-sub-30000-electric-crossovers

Uh-huh. Sure they are going to get the cost below $30K. Anybody want to buy my bridge? It's right on the Hudson.

 

[Domenick]

Uh-huh. Sure they are going to get the cost below $30K. Anybody want to buy my bridge? It's right on the Hudson.

I doubt this one will be below $30,000, but it might be cheaper than if Honda developed it completely on its own. The Honda e, a small 2-door hatchback EV it did engineer, is the equivalent of over $43,000 in the UK and has just over 100 miles of real range.

 

[DennisH]

I realize this isn't exactly on point, but now that Honda has discontinued production of the Clarity is there any EV/Hybrid sedan or SUV in Honda's announced future?

 

[Nebula]

I realize this isn't exactly on point, but now that Honda has discontinued production of the Clarity is there any EV/Hybrid sedan or SUV in Honda's announced future?

The Civic and CR-V.