Electrified thrills
Beyond the addition of some fancy Type R parts, Honda also announced that the Prelude will be powered by the same drivetrain that’s currently found in the Civic hybrid. In practice, this means that it will incorporate a pair of electric motors in conjunction with a 2.0–liter four-cylinder engine.
In the Civic, the setup is rated for 200 horsepower and 288 lb-ft of torque, so the 2026 Prelude will likely make similar (if not identical) numbers. While this means it won’t be as powerful as the 315-horsepower Type R, it does put it on par with the 200-horsepower Si.
Now, unfortunately, electrification does mean that Honda won’t be giving the upcoming Prelude the option of a manual transmission. Instead, the hybrid sports car will incorporate the brand’s direct-drive eCVT setup. The good news, though, is that Honda will be introducing a new S+ Shift system as a means to give owners a sportier, more dynamic driving experience.
