The discontinued Honda CR-Z featured a self-charging hybrid powertrain paired with a manual transmission.
Last year, Honda made headlines by reintroducing the Prelude, unveiling a near-production coupe concept at the Japan Mobility Show. While the company has kept the specifications under wraps, Japanese media have speculated on its features. According to a new source, the new 2026 Prelude is likely to combine a hybrid powertrain with a six-speed manual transmission, offering car enthusiasts something they truly appreciate.
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| 2026 Prelude |
2026 Honda Prelude
The sixth-generation Prelude is expected to share its fundamentals with the Honda Civic. Unlike the Civic, which is offered as a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, the 2026 Prelude will remain a two-door coupe, emphasizing its sporty nature.
Aside from the Type R, the new RS trim is now the sportiest model in the Honda Civic lineup, debuting in Japan as part of a minor facelift.
This version comes with a six-speed manual transmission, a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, a rev-matching function, and a sport-tuned suspension setup.
According to the Japanese outlet Best Car, sources revealed that, in addition to the widely criticized traditional CVT, the 2026 Prelude might include a manual transmission paired with Honda's electronic hybrid powertrain. If accurate, this would mark Honda's first self-charging hybrid with a manual transmission since the discontinued CR-Z.
Speculation on the 2026 Honda Prelude Engine
It is believed that the upcoming 2026 Honda Prelude’s powertrain might utilize a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine along with two electric motors, similar to the Civic and Accord e models.
This combination would enable the Prelude to offer competitive performance and superior efficiency compared to its non-electrified rivals.
Main Competitors of the 2026 Honda Prelude
The only other two-door coupes in the compact car segment are the Toyota GR 86 and Subaru BRZ twins, both of which feature manual transmissions, as well as the more luxurious BMW 2 Series Coupe.
All of these vehicles are equipped with non-hybrid internal combustion engines. There are also rumors of a Toyota Celica revival, which might include a new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with both manual and automatic transmission options.
🚨 CONFIRMADO: ¡Vuelve el Honda #Prelude! 🔥Preparado para proporcionar el auténtico placer de conducir y la eficiencia excepcional que esperas de la gama híbrida de Honda. 💪Toda la información ➡️ https://t.co/jpQaY0jDtR#HondaPrelude #HondaHybrid #25YearsHondaHybrid pic.twitter.com/EPgCNXq0di— Honda España Automóviles (@HondaESauto) July 8, 2024
Arrival of the 2026 Prelude
The commercial version of the revived Honda Prelude is scheduled to arrive in the latter part of 2025. Official confirmations have been made for markets such as Japan and Europe.
The U.S. market is also likely, especially after Honda showcased the concept at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show.