Honda Prelude confirmed for Australia! Mustang-rival with Civic Type R DNA coming in 2026

Honda has confirmed the Prelude will approach in Australia in mid-2026, returning the coupe body style to the native lineup for the first time because the NSX left in 2020.

Unveiled in principle maintain final 365 days, the sixth-period Prelude sits on the identical platform as the Civic and is expected to be equipped with a identical ‘e:HEV’ hybrid system as the in the neighborhood equipped hatch.

That contains a 2+2 setup, the Prelude is expected to be a more cheap replacement to sports activities vehicles similar to the Ford Mustang (from $71,990 earlier than on-roads) and BMW 2 Assortment coupe (from $seventy nine,100), though it is going to probably attract a elevated trace than the likes of the Mazda MX-5 (from$42,140) or Subaru BRZ (from $44,290).

Historically, the Prelude change into seen as an approachable sports activities car in Honda’s lineup that appealed to better than correct gear heads; one thing native Honda executives had been desirous to stress with the most up-to-date period, per chance unsurprisingly, on condition that gross sales of two-door coupes continue to dawdle globally.

With a sturdy point of interest on softer ranking and a frugal hybrid system, the Prelude looks to be a undeniable solution to efficiency vehicles than what we’ve seen from the Civic Kind R, or its more luxurious sibling in the Acura Integra Kind S equipped in North The US.

Prelude to feature proper Kind R DNA

While a Kind R variant has no longer been confirmed, Honda published final week that the Prelude will probably be geared up with the identical dual-axis suspension, wider front and rear song and Brembo brake bundle as the Civic hot hatch.

The intent is to supply sharper facing and driver engagement befitting of a coupe-style car – one thing Honda showed off when the Prelude made an look on the Goodwood Competition of Bustle earlier this 365 days.

Rumours be pleased swirled spherical a Kind S or even Kind R-badged version, though early whispers imply this is in a position to probably feature a modified hybrid drivetrain with ‘simulated’ gears, fairly than the 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder linked to a six-velocity handbook transmission, as conceal in the flagship Civic.

What’s under the bonnet?

At launch, Honda will solely provide its e:HEV assortment-parallel or ‘plod-less’ hybrid system in the Prelude, probably the identical unit as what’s conceal in the present Civic.

That system employs a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 105kW at 6000rpm and 186Nm at 4500rpm; connected to a twin electric motor step with one largely tasked as a generator to top up the 1.05kWh battery, and the replacement sending 135kW/315Nm to the front wheels at low speeds.

The hybrid system, also learned on the CR-V midsize SUV, locks the petrol engine straight away to the front wheels at toll road speeds to make better effectivity.

Just like Toyota, Honda employs a planetary gearset, functioning equally to a CVT transmission, for the automatic transmission.

The terminate consequence’s a fairly spectacular combined fuel financial system claim of 4.2L/100km in the hybrid Civic.

Despite the real fact that the Prelude change into famously the first production car to supply all-wheel steering, it’s unclear if this feature will make a return for the new period.