New Honda Prelude Coupe spied, it won't have a manual after all

The hybridized 2026 Prelude sports coupe closely resembles the two near-production concepts revealed in the last 12 months

A camouflaged prototype of the Honda Prelude coupe was spotted testing in Germany.
The production version appears to have minor changes to the concepts.
The Prelude will inherit the Civic’s self-charging hybrid setup and CVT gearbox.

Honda’s revival of the Prelude is officially in motion, with the first prototype spotted on public roads just a year after the concept was unveiled in Japan. Our photographers captured a camouflaged tester of this electrified two-door coupe cruising through the German countryside, proving that development is on the right track.

Before we dive into the latest spy photos, let’s address the not-so-good news. A recent report reveals that the Honda Prelude will exclusively feature a CVT, despite previous speculation about a hybrid variant that could include a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox, similar to the now discontinued CR-Z.

More: Honda Civic RS debuts in Japan with sharper chassis and manual transmission

Our colleagues at MotorTrend recently spoke with Shinji Aoyama, Honda’s global executive vice president, who stated that a conventional manual transmission will not be offered. Instead, the Prelude will feature the updated Honda Civic’s powertrain setup, which includes a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with dual electric motors and a CVT. It is not yet clear whether the Prelude will adopt a sportier chassis similar to that of the Japanese Civic RS.

Now, getting back to the topic, the prototype is covered in a pixelated camouflage wrap, leaving only the windows, wheels and lighting units partially exposed. The production version looks almost identical to the latest concept (red) that debuted in Europe in July 2024, following the white prototype shown at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023 and the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2023.

So what’s different about the concept?

Closer inspection reveals some notable changes from the original. The most obvious change is the thicker door mirrors, borrowed from the Honda Civic, along with ADAS sensors integrated into the front windshield.

At the rear, the prototype does not have the spoiler seen on the concept, although this can be offered as an option through the Honda Access. The rear panel has also been subtly redesigned to accommodate the cards. Lastly, the camouflage covering the central part of the taillights makes us wonder if Honda will maintain the LED treatment across the entire width of the concept.

The production version of the Honda Prelude is expected to debut in 2025. The hybrid coupe has already been confirmed for Europe and is expected to be offered in North America, likely as a 2026 model year.