Prelude GT500 is a world apart from the production Prelude hybrid
The new Honda Prelude is one of the Japanese manufacturer’s most anticipated models. In the United States, it marks the return of a beloved nameplate as well as the return of a sporty Honda coupe, after the demise of the Civic Coupe.
While the production Prelude uses a 200-horsepower hybrid powertrain, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has just taken the covers off a far more thrilling version of the coupe. This is the Prelude GT500 race car, set to compete in the 2026 Super GT season. It will replace the Civic Type R-GT, and as you can see, no panel of the Prelude has been left untouched in its transition from an elegant yet sporty coupe to an all-out racer.
Carbon-Fiber Monocoque And Outrageous Power
Honda Racing
A carbon-fiber monocoque and carbon-fiber body panels form the shell of the GT500. The lowered body sits just a few inches above the ground, and gets dramatic flared fenders, an exhaust that exits via the right door, and a swan-neck wing at the back. The aerodynamic enhancements are extensive, with several ducts helping to optimize airflow.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces a monstrous 650 horsepower, allowing the Prelude racer to compete against the likes of the Nissan Z Nismo GT500 and Toyota GR Supra GT500. As per Motorsport, Honda hasn’t yet registered a victory this season, with a second-place finish being its best in a Toyota Supra-dominated year. Honda will hope the Prelude GT500 has a better run of success, although the Civic Type R-GT isn’t done yet.
“We believe the current Civic Type R-GT can be further improved for next year. However, within the current regulations where all teams compete at an extremely high level, we see potential to achieve a higher level than the Civic Type R-GT by applying the knowledge gained over these past two years to the development of a Prelude-based Super GT machine,” said HRC’s Super GT project leader Masahiro Saeki.
Race Debut Expected In April 2026, But Will We Ever See A Type R?
Honda Racing
The new Honda Prelude GT500’s race debut will take place at Okayama, Japan, between April 11-12 next year. This will form part of the 2026 Super GT season and will be the first opportunity to see the hot Prelude go up against its rivals from Toyota and Nissan.
A first shakedown of the Prelude takes place at Sportsland Sugo in Japan today (October 1).
Honda fans are now waiting anxiously to see if a performance version of the production Prelude ever arrives, either in Si or Type R form. Saeki hinted at the importance of motorsport results when it comes to the development of sporty production Hondas.
“We also aim to deliver results in Super GT so that Honda can continue introducing such production cars in the future,” he said.
It’s hard not to imagine the Civic Type R’s powertrain in the sleek body of the new Prelude—the new coupe already uses suspension parts and Brembo brakes from the Civic Type R—but even a less powerful version with a manual gearbox would be the perfect answer to the Toyota GR86.