Honda's High-Performance Prelude GT500 Race Car Revealed

Honda has unveiled the Prelude GT500, a 650-hp Super GT racecar that will replace the Civic Type R-GT for the 2026 season. The production model is front-wheel drive and makes 200 horsepower, while the racecar sends 650 horsepower to the rear wheels. The car features aggressive bodywork with aero devices, exhaust exiting through the right-hand door, and a swan-neck rear wing. Honda aims to regain its winning form after a winless campaign in 2025.

Honda has confirmed the introduction of the Prelude GT500 for the 2026 SUPER GT season, marking the end of the Civic Type R-GT era. The new racecar, derived from the all-new Prelude sports coupe, was unveiled at Sportsland Sugo on Tuesday, where it will be shaken down for the first time on Wednesday. The announcement signifies the retirement of the Civic Type R-GT at the end of the 2025 season.

The Prelude GT500 is a front-wheel drive production model that generates 200 horsepower, but the racecar will send 650 horsepower to the rear wheels. The car features aggressive bodywork with aero devices, an exhaust system exiting through the right-hand door, and a distinctive swan-neck rear wing. Honda aims to regain its winning form after a winless campaign in 2025.

Honda is the only GT500 manufacturer introducing an entirely new base model for 2026, while Toyota and Nissan will stick with the GR Supra and the Z NISMO respectively. Both Toyota and Nissan will benefit from the end of the aero freeze, which will allow them to implement updates to the areas of the bodywork below the 'design line' from next March through 2029.

The Prelude GT500 is set to replace the Civic Type R-GT, which has failed to match the success of the Toyota GR Supra since its introduction. The Civic Type R-GT's first season was a qualified success, with ARTA scoring a victory at Fuji Speedway and finishing runner-up in the standings. However, Honda has yet to score a win this year, with ARTA's best finish being second at Sepang.

Honda's decision to introduce a new GT500 base model reflects a strategic shift towards leveraging the all-new Prelude sports coupe for racing, while also positioning itself for future competitive advantages.