The arrival of the 2026 Honda Prelude is upon us, and the Japanese automaker is wasting no time in promoting its upcoming sporty hybrid coupe. While most details have been shrouded in mystery, Honda has been slowly revealing key details about the new Prelude, one of which is its Type R-like handling characteristics.
This will be achieved through the inheritance of the Type R’s dual axis strut front suspension. Debuting in the previous FK8 Type R, the dual axis strut suspension improves upon the traditional MacPherson Strut by adding a damper fork. This part allows Honda’s engineers to separate the knuckles and dampers, increasing steering axis flexibility. As a result, whenever we drive the Type R in both FK8 and current FL5 variations, torque steer is greatly reduced–a challenge with high-performance front-wheel drive (FWD) cars.
As a recap, torque steer occurs in FWD cars with high-torque engines, due to the wheels performing two duties — turning the car as well as propelling it forward. Torque steer happens when you suddenly step on the throttle, and is most prevalent when the wheels are still not straight, creating an imbalance in forces exerted around the steering axes. The damper fork, which separates the knuckle from the damper as opposed to being a single part, allows the wheels to have better movement to prevent torque steer. Finally, by positioning the steering axis closer to the wheel center, the amount of center offset was drastically reduced, further reducing torque steer.
The other mechanical bits that the Prelude inherits from the Type R include its wide front and rear tracks, as well as its Brembo front brakes. However, despite the inheritance of the dual axist strut suspension, the wider tracks, and the Brembo brakes, it won’t fully inherit its handling characteristics. Instead, though it will offer a greater degree of sportiness compared to Honda’s core models, the Prelude will be more of a sporty yet comfortable grand tourer (GT).
Finally, the other piece of the puzzle in the 2026 Prelude, which was already revealed last year, is its next-generation e:HEV hybrid system. The Prelude will be Honda’s halo car for its next-generation e:HEV models, which, in this case, will be a new 2.0-liter system.
While Honda always says in their spec sheet that they use an “e-CVT”, this is mostly to eliminate customer confusion due to how unique Honda’s transmission is. Instead, Honda uses a clutch-based system that allows the engine to freely connect and disconnect as needed. Together with Linear Shift Control, Honda’s hybrids have made a reputation for offering a sporty feel, due to this feature simulating the upshifts of a traditional multi-speed automatic.
Linear Shift Control, however, will make way for the S+ Shift system–a feature that the next-generation Honda hybrids will also inherit. S+ Shift builds upon Linear Shift Control by now inducing shift shocks through the coordination of the engine with the electric motor. This has also enabled Honda to engineer paddle shifters that let you go through a set of simulated gear ratios as if you were driving a car with a multi-geared transmission.
The reveal of the 2026 Honda Prelude is set to happen later this year, most likely in full production form at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Europe, North America, and Japan will be the initial markets for the revival of the Honda Prelude.
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