Honda unveiled the Prelude-GT for the 2026 Super GT season, replacing the underperforming Civic Type R-GT after just two yearsThe GT500 racer uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing around 650 horsepower with rear-wheel drive and carbon fiber constructionHonda hopes to challenge Toyota and Nissan more effectively after the Civic Type R-GT managed just one victory in two seasons The newly revived Honda Prelude has barely been on sale for a month, and Honda's already turned it into a 650-horsepower racing weapon. The Prelude-GT, set to compete in Japan's top-level Super GT championship next year, shares approximately nothing with the 200-horsepower production car except its general shape and the badge on the bonnet. Like all current GT500 machines, the Prelude-GT is built around a carbon fiber monocoque with carbon bodywork molded to vaguely resemble the road car. Per championship regulations, it uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making around 650 horsepower, sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential transmission. So quite different from the front-wheel-drive hybrid production model that putters along with modest power and excellent fuel economy. Honda Prelude-GT replaces struggling Civic racer The Prelude-GT replaces Honda's previous Super GT contender, the Civic Type R-GT, which has been comprehensively embarrassed by Toyota and Nissan over the past two seasons. The Civic managed just one victory in two years of competition and hasn't finished better than second place this year, with Toyota absolutely dominating the field. Honda's racing division apparently decided that the Civic's four-door bodywork wasn't conducive to making a competitive race car, which is corporate speak for "we're getting destroyed and need to try something else." It's unusual for a constructor to replace a Super GT car this quickly. Honda's previous racer, the NSX-GT, ran from 2017 to 2023 before being retired. But Super GT is one of Japan's most important racing series, and Honda cannot continue being shown up by Toyota and Nissan, its fiercest domestic rivals. National pride is at stake here, along with bragging rights and marketing opportunities. Masahiro Saeki from Honda Racing stated they "see potential to achieve a higher level than the Civic Type R-GT by applying the knowledge gained over these past two years to the development of a Prelude-based Super GT machine." Translation: we learned from our mistakes, and this time we're going to win.
