A hotter Honda Prelude Type R is far from imminent after a spokesperson from the Japanese automaker poured cold water on the idea when questioned by the media.
The Prelude name will return to Australia in 2026 for the first time in 25 years with the new sixth-generation model, presented at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo last October and scheduled to land mid-year.
The sole Prelude powertrain shown so far is a slightly more potent (147kW/315Nm) version of the 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), as found in the Civic and best-selling CR-V SUV.
The new Prelude uses the same underpinnings as the hottest Honda currently in showrooms, the Civic Type R hatch, and even shares the same suspension components and high-performance Brembo brakes.
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This has led Honda fans to join the dots, pining for hotter versions, with a Type S and even more extreme Type R Prelude seemingly simple, inevitable steps.
Further fuelling hopes, Honda is replacing the Civic Type R with the Prelude in Japan’s GT sports car series from 2026, another sign it will become the brand’s enthusiasts’ flagship.
Speculation in Japan has included a warmer Type S as well as the hottest Type R treatment for the road-going Prelude.
While it has offered a Type S, Honda has never produced a Prelude Type R across the previous five generations of the nameplate, with the Type R name used on the Civic, Accord, Integra and NSX models.
Speaking to Creative311, as reported on CarScoops, a company spokesperson said: “There are no current plans to sell either a Type S or Type R version of the new Prelude.”
While the comments don’t confirm performance versions, the phrase “current plans” – rightly seized upon by CarScoops – suggests the door remains open for a punchier Prelude.
Typically, high-performance models are introduced further down a model life; the current Civic Type R was announced in 2022, almost two years after the regular version.
Reports from Japan suggested a Prelude Type S could use a more powerful version of the 132kW/240Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine offered in the previous-generation Civic sold in Australia, which is still available overseas in the current Civic.
The Prelude Type R – again, the first ever Prelude Type R if it happens – could simply use the Civic Type R’s 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and six-speed manual gearbox.
Honda won’t have the sports car market to itself, with reports that Toyota is set to introduce a new Celica – a former Prelude rival – as well as the MR2 sports car.
It comes as Toyota named its performance arm, Gazoo Racing (GR), one of its five core global brands alongside Lexus, Century, Daihatsu (not sold here) and Toyota itself.