The hardcore, race-ready philosophy of Type R does not fit with the Prelude's softer, grand touring demeanour according to Honda.
Honda has poured cold water on developing a more hardcore version, like a Type R, of its reborn Prelude, but hinted that something else more suitable to the new coupe’s philosophy could be on the way.
Speaking to Australian media at the 2025 Tokyo motor show, Honda Chief Engineer of Prelude Tomoyuki Yamagami said the new Prelude is positioned more as a grand tourer than a sportscar when asked by Drive if a Type R version was in the works.
“The current [Prelude] is FF [front engine, front-wheel drive] and is the first version which has been developed [in its current sixth generation form],” Yamagami-san said.
“This Prelude is really quite different from the Type R in power and performance – it doesn’t stick to the values and performance [of Type R].
“The [goal was to] integrate the feeling of people and machinery in this new Prelude – it has a different direction from the existing Type R.”
Type R variants have been reserved for Honda’s most track-capable models, and started in 1992 with the NSX-R before the Integra and Civic received the racier treatment in 1995 and 1997 respectively.
The latest and only Type R in Honda’s stable is based on the 12th-generation Civic, and is powered by a 235kW/420Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
The Prelude meanwhile, borrows the Type R’s brakes and some suspension componentry, but takes its powerplant from the Civic e:HEV hybrid – a 2.0-litre petrol engine and dual-electric motor set-up with a combined 135kW/315Nm.
Honda’s new coupe is also front-drive only, but the powerplant is mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT), necessitated by the high degree of engine electrification.
Based on the Civic platform, the Type R’s engine and gearbox could feasibly fit under the bonnet of the Prelude two-door, but Honda has decided to introduce an S+ Shift feature to simulate cog-swapping of a traditional gearbox.
When asked by Drive if another variant name like Type S – which was offered in Japan with the fifth-generation model – would be better suited to the new Prelude, Yamagami-san laughed and said: “[Maybe] SiR, not sure.”
The Type S badge also debuted on the first-generation NSX supercar, and over the years has largely been used on Acura models in the US like the
Differentiating the Type S from the Type R in the modern era is the former leaning more into premium appointments like leather seats, and softer, more compliant suspension, while still usually offering the latter’s higher-output engines.
Only three models currently wear the Type S badge – Integra, MDX, and ZDX – all Acura vehicles and all exclusive to the US market.
Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
