A hot one Honda Prelude Type R is far from imminent after a spokesperson for the Japanese automaker threw cold water on the idea when asked by the media.
The Prelude name will return to Australia in 2026 for the first time in 25 years with the new sixth-generation model, which was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo last October and is due to launch mid-year.
The only Prelude powertrain shown so far is a slightly more powerful (147kW/315Nm) version of the 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) found in the Civic and top-selling CR-V SUV.
The new Prelude shares the same underpinnings as the hottest Honda currently in showrooms, the Civic Type R hatchback, and even features the same suspension components and high-performance Brembo brakes.
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This has left Honda fans craving hotter versions, with a Type S and an even more extreme Type R Prelude seemingly easy, inevitable steps.
To further boost hopes, Honda is replacing the Civic Type R with the Prelude in Japan’s GT sports car series from 2026, another sign that it is becoming the brand’s flagship model for enthusiasts.
Speculation in Japan includes a warmer Type S as well as the hottest Type R treatment for the road-going Prelude.
Although there was a Type S, Honda never produced a Prelude Type R in the last five generations of the nameplate, with the Type R name being used on the Civic, Accord, Integra and NSX models.
In conversation with Creative311as reported Car ScoopsA company spokesperson said: “There are currently no plans to sell a Type S or Type R version of the new Prelude.”
While the comments do not confirm performance versions, the phrase “current plans” is rightly taken up Car Scoops – suggests that the door remains open for a punchier prelude.
Typically, high-performance models are introduced later in the model’s life; The current Civic Type R was announced in 2022, almost two years after the regular version.
Reports from Japan suggest a Prelude Type S could use a more powerful version of the 1.5-litre 132kW/240Nm four-cylinder turbo petrol engine that was offered in the previous generation Civic sold in Australia and is still available in the current Civic overseas.
The Prelude Type R – again, the first ever Prelude Type R – could simply use the Civic Type R’s 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed manual gearbox.
Honda won’t have the sports car market to itself, with Toyota reportedly set to introduce a new Celica – a former Prelude rival – as well as the MR2 sports car.
It’s just like Toyota named its performance arm. Gazoo Racing (GR), alongside him one of the five global core brands Lexus, centuryDaihatsu (not sold here) and Toyota itself.
MORE: Explore the Honda Prelude showroom
