Honda just turned the Prelude into a 650hp carbon monster and it’s rear wheel drive
Published on Oct 02, 2025 at 3:21 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Oct 02, 2025 at 9:15 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Honda has just unveiled the race-ready 650-horsepower rear-wheel drive Prelude GT – and it’s an absolute beast.
The original Honda Prelude was in production between 1978 and 2001, and it was reintroduced this year.
Since it was launched, the carmaker has sold hundreds of thousands of Preludes.
But you’ve never seen one like this before.
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The Honda Prelude GT packs a punch
Despite sharing a name with the legendary vehicle, the Prelude GT is worlds apart from the production version.
The GT has been created by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to take part in the 2026 SUPER GT series.
Whereas the upcoming road-going Prelude has a hybrid powertrain, the GT is powered by a turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder engine offering around 650hp.
It’s also rear-wheel drive.
The GT also looks a lot different from the standard Prelude thanks to a generous helping of carbon fiber, including a huge splitter, gills, and a monstrous rear wing.
Overall, the GT is a real beast, and HRC will be pinning its hopes on it being able to put in a better performance than its predecessor, the Civic Type R-GT, when Japan’s Super GT series gets underway.
“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,” HRC’s Super GT project leader, Masahiro Saeki, told Motorsport.com.
The 2026 Prelude is almost here
While it won’t look, or perform, quite like the Prelude GT, the 2026 Prelude is making its very welcome return soon.
The new sports coupe has a two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain that produces up to 200 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque.
It’ll also come with Honda S+ Shift – new technology that replicates ‘the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes’.
The car has already landed in Japan and will arrive in North American showrooms late fall, meaning there’s not too long a wait, if you’re hoping to get your hands on one.
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
