The much-anticipated 2026 Honda Prelude goes on sale in Japan, with Mugen parts now available too.
After almost two years since its concept twin was shown, the much-anticipated, new 2026 Honda Prelude finally goes on sale in Japan. This hybrid sports coupe retails from JPY 6.179 million (RM176,105) onwards in its native JDM market, making it more expensive than its Type R cousin, the Honda Civic Type R FL5.
While two variants are available in Japan, both of them use the same 2.0-litre 4-cyl e:HEV hybrid setup with two electric motors that delivers a combined output of 181 hp (135 kW) and 315 Nm for the JDM spec. Typical of any Honda car, power is sent exclusively to the front wheels (FWD), although this time via the new Honda S+ Shift that emulates a virtual 8-speed transmission.
While the new Prelude loses out to the Type R on the performance front, it makes up for it in the efficiency game, with Honda claiming a low fuel economy rate of only 23.6 km per litre.
Other key mechanical features primed here include dual-axis strut front suspensions that are reportedly derived from the FL5 Type R, a new adaptive damper system (ADS), Brembo brake callipers, a more rigid driveshaft that promises to reduce torque steer, and many more.
On the exterior front, the JDM-spec Prelude gets several standard equipment, including full LED headlights with auto high beam (AHB), a slew of black and blue accents, full-width LED taillights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and four exterior colourways—Moonlight White Pearl, Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, and Flame Red.
Onboard amenities are also quite decent for the JDM-spec car, with Japanese customers getting standard bits like the 9-inch central infotainment screen with Google built-in software, a larger 10.2-inch digital metre cluster, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, Alcantara front seats, a leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, and many more.
2026 Honda Prelude with Mugen upgrade parts.
But in case you think the standard Prelude is a bit too vanilla for your liking, renowned Honda tuner Mugen has just unveiled the upgrade packages for this sporty hybrid coupe.
We’ll start with the aesthetics, where Mugen has given the new Prelude a sportier carbon fibre body kit, comprising an aggressive two-piece front splitter, side skirts with aerodynamic side fins, side mirror covers with an optional hydrophobic film for the mirrors, a rear bumper extension with an integrated diffuser, and a three-piece rear spoiler.
Buyers can also get this carbon fibre kit with sportier 19-inch BBS forged wheels, with each of them weighing 4 kg less than the standard units, Mugen claims. For added performance, there’s also the Sport Exhaust System with a larger muffler, Mugen Type S brake pads, and Mugen performance dampers.
On top of that, Mugen also allows you to jazz up your Prelude’s interior with several upgrades, including Mugen-badged floor mats that include one for the boot space, as well as the Mugen-branded scuff plates.
As of now, Mugen has yet to reveal the full price for the carbon fibre body kit, but you can now get the BBS forged wheels for JPY 176,000 (RM5,016) a piece, while both the brake pads and performance dampers retail at JPY 52,800 (RM1,504) and JPY 143,000 (RM4,075), respectively.