Honda Malaysia is gearing up for the launch of the new sixth-gen Honda Prelude with a special preview of this two-door hybrid coupe at its media Hari Raya open house earlier today.
Order books for the new Prelude hybrid have already opened earlier this month ahead of its official launch sometime later in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026.
Honda Malaysia’s First Model with S+ Shift
Beneath its sculpted bonnet lies a familiar Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain borrowed from the Honda Civic e:HEV RS, featuring a 2.0-litre 4-cyl naturally-aspirated Atkinson cycle petrol engine rated at 141 PS and 182 Nm.
Said engine is then mated to an electric motor that drives the front wheels (FWD), providing an extra 184 PS and 315 Nm to this hybrid coupe. Combined, the whole i-MMD hybrid system delivers 203 PS and 315 Nm, with the engine only clutching in at higher speeds for better efficiency.
What sets the Prelude’s hybrid powertrain apart from the Civic’s is that the coupe features Honda’s innovative S+ Shift technology that integrates with the Active Sound Control to simulate gear shifts of an 8-speed transmission. This system aims to further improve driving precision while providing an extra layer of enjoyment for drivers in this otherwise straightforward hybrid sportscar.
As for the mechanical bits, the Prelude hybrid shares the same dual-axis strut front suspension and adaptive dampers with the Civic Type R FL5, while stopping power is provided by Brembo brakes with their rotors measuring 13.8 inches at the front and 12 inches at the rear.
Fastback-Style Coupe with 2+2 Seating Configuration
Visually, the new Prelude marks a design departure for Honda, as the new coupe looks rather different than any other Honda model, featuring a very striking fastback coupe bodystyle.
Up front, the coupe does look quite similar to the likes of the new Toyota Prius, where it rocks a clean front face with sharp LED headlights, slim vertical grille inserts, and a wide lower bumper intake.
But the side part is where all the fun is, as from here we can clearly see the Prelude’s unique fastback silhouette with a slightly elongated tail that gives it a very distinct look over any other sport coupes out there.
Things are kept rather simple at the rear, where the coupe rocks full-width LED taillights with the new Honda lettering at the centre, plus the signature Prelude nameplate. This whole fastback coupe rides on 19-inch alloy wheels finished in gloss black with striking blue brake callipers hiding behind them.
