Could a new Toyota Solara Hybrid compete against the Honda Prelude?

I recently posted illustrations showing what a possible new Toyota Camry coupe or wagon could look like. Since the coupe was in effect replaced by the 2-door Solara in 1998, let’s imagine a new Solara this time.

Some are already claiming that coupes are making a comeback. This is mostly due to the new Honda Prelude. Otherwise, no one else seems to be actually working on new 2-door cars. Of course, the new Dodge Charger is already here. But that really has a limited appeal and is in another price bracket altogether.

I personally think the new Prelude at $42,000 will not be a success at all. As it doesn’t offer much more than the much cheaper Civic Hatchback Hybrid. Except for the 2-door design. Something that most people don’t really seem to want anyway.

A coupe needs to be much more attractive, and also maybe more practical than the new Prelude. A car with unusable rear seats and a very narrow hatchback with a high loading floor. A larger, more practical coupe, still based on the Camry, with 4 roomy seats. Or even 5. And a true large hatchback would probably work better.

Unlike Honda, Toyota also has more than one hybrid powertrain. That means some trims could actually be quite fast and sporty.

All I am saying is, why not…