2026 Honda Prelude spotted, omits manual transmission.

The Honda Prelude has not been in production for over 20 years, but a new generation is on the way, and a prototype has been spotted for the first time.

The prototype is only lightly camouflaged, and most of its lines seem to match the Prelude concept unveiled at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show.

The new Prelude will be unveiled next year as a 2026 model, and like the concept that heralded it, it will appear as a hybrid.

The powertrain is expected to be the same as the latest Civic Hybrid, which was introduced for the 2025 model year. The powertrain is a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder with an eCVT that delivers 220 hp and up to 50 mpg in the Civic Hybrid. It also drives the front wheels only.

However, the new Prelude will not simply be a Civic coupe by another name; Motor Trend reported on October 11, citing comments from Shinji Aoyama, Honda's global chief of electrification, that the Prelude will have a sportier powertrain design The report stated that the Prelude will have a sportier powertrain.

The rumored manual option will not be available. Honda is exploring the possibility of a simulated manual transmission with clutch pedal, similar to what Toyota plans to bring to market, and Honda's future EVs will do the same.

The Prelude was launched in Japan in 1978, and there have been five generations so far. Historically, the car has been a sporty front-wheel drive coupe with sophisticated bodywork that covers the mechanicals of mainstream models, and that seems to be the case with the upcoming sixth generation.

Currently, the new Prelude has only been confirmed in Europe, but all signs point to its return in the US as well.