Honda Malaysia has announced that bookings for the all-new 2026 Honda Prelude are now open in Malaysia. Set to be launched in Q2 2026, it marks the highly anticipated arrival of the brand’s first hybrid sports car locally, as well as the debut of its S+ Shift technology in Malaysia.
The 2026 Honda Prelude, as many might have already known, is a revival of a fan-favourite nameplate from the Japanese carmaker. This time, however, the car is interestingly powered by Honda’s intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) series-parallel hybrid powertrain taken from the Honda Civic e:HEV.
This means the car pairs a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with an electric drive unit that combines both the generator and traction motors, producing 184 hp and 315 Nm to the front wheels. At higher speeds, the engine can also directly drive the wheels when it is more efficient to do so, boosting its combined output to 203 hp. This enables a 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds, with a top speed of up to 180 km/h.
While its powertrain is mostly carried over from the Honda Civic e:HEV, the 2026 Honda Prelude does borrow parts of its chassis from the FL5 Honda Civic Type R — including the dual-axis front suspension, adaptive dampers, steering system, and larger Brembo brakes.
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The biggest talking point about the new Honda Prelude is its S+ Shift technology, activated via a large button on the centre console. The system allows the e:HEV powertrain to mimic the feel of an eight-speed gearbox – despite not having one – by making the engine rev in sync with simulated shifts, even though it isn’t directly connected to the wheels.
Paired with pumped-in audio, it creates a more engaging, sporty driving experience, somewhat similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but with an actual engine revving under the bonnet.
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Additionally, the Honda Prelude also features four unique drive modes: Sport, GT, Comfort, and Individual. The Individual mode enables the driver to customise six individual settings to their personal tastes, including: the powertrain, steering, suspension, meter display, engine sound, and adaptive cruise control system.
While Malaysian pricing has yet to be announced, the Honda Prelude in Japan is priced from JPY6.2 million (approx. RM157k) — higher than the FL5 Civic Type R, which starts from JPY4.9 million (approx. RM127k). The question is: would you pay more for a two-door Civic e:HEV-based “sports car”, or rather one of the most well-respected front-wheel-drive (FWD) performance hatchbacks of all time?
READ MORE: The all-new Honda Prelude is finally here – but just how much would you pay for style?
