Honda introduced a special version of the revived Prelude for the Japanese market. The new model is called Limited Edition and will go on sale in August 2026. Despite the loud name, the changes only affected the car's design.
The main feature of the series is the new body color, Premium Crystal Garnet Metallic. The deep burgundy hue is complemented by body-colored decorative elements and red accents instead of the traditional blue details. The exterior also retains 19-inch black wheels and red Brembo brake calipers.
The red theme continues in the interior. The front seats, dashboard, and center console are finished in Bordeaux, and the interior is complemented by contrasting red stitching.
However, fans of sporty Hondas may be disappointed by the technical specifications. Under the hood, there is still a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.0-liter engine with 200 hp. The drive remains front-wheel drive, and the S+ Shift system, which simulates gear changes, is responsible for traction.
Earlier, Honda representatives already stated that creating a version with a turbo engine or a manual transmission is not economically viable. Therefore, the prospects for a Prelude Type R are becoming less and less likely.
Despite the debate surrounding the price, demand for the model exceeded the company's expectations. After its debut, sales in Japan surpassed Honda's forecasts, and in the US, the coupe showed its best monthly result in April. In the domestic market, the new Limited Edition is priced at 6.3 million yen (about 39 thousand dollars), which is only 126,500 yen more expensive than the standard Prelude.
In fact, Honda is trying to maintain interest in the model without significant technical improvements. But history shows that Prelude fans are waiting not so much for new body colors as for a more powerful and emotional version of the legendary coupe.