Honda: Prelude Type R Not On The Cards… Yet

Yearning for a hotter version of the Prelude? Perhaps with either a Type S or Type R badge? Sadly, Honda has quashed any notions of such a plan.

Japanese automaker Honda has somewhat come out to address rife speculation and rumours online about the possibility of developing a razor-sharp Type R variant of its new Prelude premium hybrid sports coupe. Simply put, the firm has no plans for which.

Recently, a Honda spokesperson was quoted by sources online saying “There are no current plans to sell either a Type S or Type R version of the Prelude.” Neither the spokesperson nor the firm elaborated further from which.

The denial comes despite the Prelude sharing largely the same bones and key hardware as the current-gen Civic and its Type R performance flagship - hotter version are theoretically possible.

The denial comes even though the new sixth-generation Prelude (chassis code: BF1) largely shares the same underpinnings as the current eleventh-gen (FE/FL) Civic saloon and hatch, the latter boasting a coveted Type R performance flagship variant.

In fact, the Prelude shares several key hardware with the Civic Type R, namely its specially-tuned suspension components and high-end Brembo anchors. Given which, it didn’t take long before enthusiasts online began connecting dots on their own.

One rumour alleged that the hotter Type S could adopt the 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol heart from the Civic RS pictured, which makes just 179 hp and 240 Nm.

Adding to which was a rumour of such a plan insinuated online by a renowned Japanese motoring title. We’ll however point out that said title in question isn’t exactly renowned for both verifiable sources it quotes and eventual accuracy with speculations as such.

Said rumour alleged that the Honda Prelude could gain a hotter Type S plus an extreme Type R guises. The former would’ve alleged adopted the 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol heart from the Civic RS, which offers just 179 hp and 240 Nm.

Such a plan doesn’t seem plausible given the fact that said turbo mill has lower outputs versus what the Prelude currently packs – a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol mill paired with a hybrid e-motor unit outputting 200 hp and meatier 315 Nm of twist.

The same rumour also alleged the Prelude Type R could share ditch its hybrid heart for the manic 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo heart and 6-speed manual pairing from the Civic Type R, which offers 325 hp and 420 Nm.

As for the alleged Type R treatment for the Prelude, said rumour alleged that the hybrid setup mentioned would’ve been replaced instead with the manic 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo mill from the current Civic Type R, which outputs up to 325 hp and 420 Nm.

The latter would’ve also seen the matching 6-speed manual transmission transplanted along as well. However, despite how desirable such as setup would be in a sleek coupe, the next fact we’re about to convey might just shut this pipe dream down too.

Historically, Honda has NEVER developed an 'extreme' Type R rendition of past generation Prelude models.

We’ll point out the metaphorical ‘elephant in the room’ key fact that many seem to ignore – Honda has NEVER built a hot Type R version of the Prelude, not eve in past generations. In other words, don’t hold your breath yet in the birth of the first ever Type R-badged Prelude.

In fact, the only ‘extreme’ version of the Prelude we’ll see arguably comes in the form of Honda’s new GT500-spec racecar for Super GT racing duties. You can get up to speed on which in our previous report of it by clicking here.

Instead, we’d rather put our chips down on the prospects of seeing the new Honda Prelude being launched officially here in Malaysia in 2026. The notion of which was teased recently by Honda Malaysia, and you can read up on which by clicking here…