The Honda Prelude is back, but not only as you know it. While the automotive world has been buzzing about the revived hybrid coupe for the road, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has quietly been sharpening a much deadlier weapon. Meet the Prelude GT500: a purpose-built racing prototype set to replace the Civic Type R-GT in Japan’s premier Super GT series for the 2026 season.
Unlike the sleek but polite production model, this machine is a pure brute designed to exploit the loosening aerodynamic regulations of the upcoming racing calendar.
Under the hood: A different beast
To understand the Prelude GT500, you have to forget everything you know about the 2026 road car. The production Prelude is a sensible, front-wheel-drive hybrid delivering around 200 horsepower. The GT500 version shares little more than a silhouette and a badge with that car.
Per Super GT’s strict Class One regulations, the Prelude GT500 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine. But don’t let the displacement fool you; this engine is tuned to produce approximately 650 horsepower. Even more critical for racing purists, that power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission, a massive departure from the road car’s FWD layout.
The chassis is a carbon-fiber monocoque draped in a “sports carbon” laminate body. The design features aggressive wide-body fenders, a towering rear wing, and a sculpted front splitter that would be illegal on any public highway.
Why the switch from the Civic Type R-GT?
The decision to retire the Civic Type R-GT after just two seasons (2024–2025) might seem premature, but the results speak for themselves. The Civic, despite its legendary status among enthusiasts, struggled to adapt its four-door, upright geometry to the low-slung demands of GT500 racing.
Over two years of competition, the Civic Type R-GT managed only one victory, often trailing behind the more aerodynamically favorable coupes from rival manufacturers.
Masahiro Saeki, the Super GT project leader at Honda Racing, was candid about the change. He noted that while the Civic had potential, the Prelude offers a higher ceiling for performance.
“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,” Saeki explained.
The timing is calculated. Super GT is set to lift certain aerodynamic restrictions in 2026. By switching to a coupe platform now, Honda can fully capitalize on these new rules to build a car that cuts through the air more efficiently than the boxier Civic ever could.
The competition: A battle of icons
When the Prelude GT500 takes the grid at the 2026 Super GT season opener (likely at Okayama), it will reignite a golden era of Japanese sports car rivalries. The field is currently dominated by:
- Toyota: The GR Supra GT500, which has been the car to beat, securing multiple championships with its proven aerodynamic package.
- Nissan: The Z Nismo GT500, a formidable opponent that replaced the GT-R and has shown incredible straight-line speed.
With the Prelude entering the fray, the “Big Three” of Japanese performance, Supra, Z, and Prelude, will once again be trading paint at 180 mph.
