- New Honda Prelude will feature Civic Type R parts, including Brembo front brakes and dual-axis front suspension.
- Power comes from a hybrid 2.0-litre engine with dual electric motors, delivering 149kW and 315Nm.
- Honda has not disclosed final specs or pricing, but the Prelude is expected to launch later this year.
When Honda unveiled the Prelude concept, many feared it would be all show and no go. But it turns out this sleek coupe will pack more bite than expected, courtesy of some quietly borrowed Civic Type R hardware.
Suspension of disbelief (and torque steer)
Although it won’t wear the Type R badge (or house its turbo engine) the upcoming Prelude will become the first Honda outside the flagship hot hatch to feature the dual-axis front suspension setup.
The engineering wizardry separates the steering knuckle from the damper, significantly reducing torque steer and improving precision at the front axle.
Also borrowed from the Civic Type R are beefy Brembo front brakes and wider front and rear tracks, suggesting Honda’s engineers wanted more than just style points from the coupe’s return.
Hybrid heart, hopeful hustle
Powering the Prelude is the same hybrid setup found in the Civic Hybrid: a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder paired with dual electric motors.
Combined output sits at 149kW and 315Nm, and while that’s not enough to challenge the traditional Type R, Honda reckons it’s more than enough for “high levels of driver exhilaration and engagement.”
Rumours persist that the Prelude might receive a slight power bump over the Civic Hybrid’s 149kW. If true, it could line up against the Toyota GR86, a rear-drive rival with a 2.4-litre boxer engine making 170kW and 250Nm. But don’t expect a manual gearbox from Honda this time around.
Still to come: price, specs and surprises
Honda hasn’t confirmed final specs or pricing just yet. The full output figures and official price tag are still under wraps, but with the Civic Hybrid starting at $$59,000 in New Zealand, the Prelude is expected to launch slightly above that figure.
With a debut locked in for later this year, we won’t have to wait long to see whether this hybrid coupe lives up to its name. Prelude or not, it’s already marching to a more exciting beat.