Honda has revealed the race-spec version of its brand-new Prelude, which is set to race in Japan’s Super GT Series from next year onwards. And if that’s not particularly interesting to the non-motorsport fans among you, bear in-mind that performance parts developed for the new Prelude GT500 racer will likely aid development of more extreme version of Honda’s new two-seater – possibly even the model’s first-ever Type-R – down the line.
Following in the tire marks of Toyota’s new V8-powered Supra, the new Prelude GT500 replaces Honda’s four-door Civic-based Type R-GT, and is set to make its debut in Okayama, Japan, next April. The decision to make the switch is based not only on a surprisingly underwhelming two-year program for the Civic, but also a change in the GT Series’ sporting regulations that allows aerodynamic development for the Prelude track model, and thus its road-going counterpart.
Though few official details about the Prelude GT500 have been revealed – so far, the Honda Racing Corporation has only unveiled the official launch images ahead of its shakedown test at Sportsland Sugo, Japan, this week – HRC’s Super GT project leader Masahiro Saeki, speaking with motorsport.com, has confirmed that the relaxed development period, which opens for 2026 and closes in 2029, presents an “opportunity” for aerodynamic changes that would benefit not only the GT500 racer but “such production cars” in the future as well.
“2026 is the year when aerodynamic development becomes possible under the regulations. Missing this opportunity would mean waiting several more years for the development freeze to be lifted, which is why we decided to change the base vehicle at this time…. The return of the coupe-bodied Prelude after so many years presents us with a new challenge and an opportunity. We also aim to deliver results in Super GT so that Honda can continue introducing such production cars in the future.”
–Honda Racing Corporation’s Masahiro Saeki, speaking with Motorsport.com
The race-spec Prelude features a brand-new carbon fiber aerokit, which includes an aggressively design bodykit, a more air intake-infused nose and hood section, larger side sills and pronounced rear wing for improved air flow, far wider wheel wells (presumably housing wider tires and a wider track, front and rear, for more traction), and a simply enormous rear diffuser to help generate downforce. It’s a design indicative of the now-retired NSX-GT, which was replaced ahead of the 2024 season after a 27-year tenure.
Since the Prelude’s launch in early 2024, and following the demise of the Civic Type-R, speculation has been rife that Honda could revive the Type-R badge, for the first time, with the new Prelude (the Japanese-only Type S, introduced for one-time only during the fifth generation, was the closest the Prelude ever got to an ‘R’ derivative). The two-seater, after all, shares the Civic’s architecture and the Type-R’s suspension hardware, albeit with stiffer spring rates and anti-roll bars. The new and still entry-level hybrid powertrain, meanwhile – which uses an electric motor, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that effectively acts as a generator to produce around 180-horsepower – offers plenty of performance potential for a fiestier example of Honda’s new flagship performance model down the line, particular since the Japanese marque has refused to shoot down the possibility of a hybrid Type-R at some point down the line.
Moreover, during this relaxed development period, the race-spec Prelude will go head-to-head on-track with two of the roadcar’s biggest rivals, the Toyota Supra and the Nissan Z. Granted, no official word has been given, one way or another, if a Type-R program is in the works.
Source: Honda Racing
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