Honda Reveals 650-HP Prelude GT500 to Take on Toyota Supra and Nissan Z in 2026 Super GT
Honda has reignited one of its most iconic nameplates with the reveal of the Prelude GT500, a 650-horsepower race car set to compete in Japan’s 2026 Super GT championship. Built by Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), the radical coupe marks both a technological showcase and a symbolic return to form for the brand.
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While the recently unveiled production Prelude uses a 200-horsepower hybrid system aimed at everyday driving, the GT500 version shares little beyond its name. Beneath its carbon-fiber skin lies a purpose-built racing machine designed to take on the Toyota GR Supra GT500 and Nissan Z GT500 in Japan’s top-tier touring car series.
The Prelude GT500 features a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, flared fenders, and an aggressive aerodynamic package, including a towering swan-neck rear wing and race-ready ground clearance. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces a staggering 650 horsepower — more than triple that of the street car — sending power through a rear-wheel-drive setup designed for maximum track performance.
Honda will replace its current Civic Type R-GT with the new Prelude when the 2026 season begins at Okayama International Circuit next April. The car’s first shakedown already took place at Sportsland Sugo on October 1, signaling the start of an intensive testing phase.
“We believe the current Civic Type R-GT can still improve, but the Prelude platform gives us potential to achieve even greater performance,” said Masahiro Saeki, HRC’s Super GT project leader.
Honda hopes success on the racetrack will translate to renewed excitement for performance models on the road. Fans are already speculating whether a high-performance Prelude — possibly an Si or even a Type R — could follow.
For now, the 650-horsepower GT500 signals Honda’s intent to reclaim its dominance in Japanese motorsport and remind the world what the Prelude name still stands for.
