Tag Archives: Honda

News

2026 Honda Prelude Marks a New Chapter for the Iconic Coupe

After more than two decades in hibernation, the Honda Prelude is making its long-anticipated return—not as a nostalgic tribute, but as a bold, forward-thinking hybrid coupe engineered for the modern enthusiast. Nearly two years after the sixth-generation Prelude first broke cover as a concept at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon, the production model is finally ready to hit the streets. Its market debut is set for September in Japan, with European and U.S. launches scheduled for 2026.

A New Identity for a Familiar Name

At first glance, the 2026 Prelude shares little in common with its predecessors beyond the badge. This is a clean-sheet design with minimal retro cues, signaling a definitive departure from its 20th-century lineage. Up front, sleek, horizontal LED headlights stretch across a thin light bar, while black side mirrors and a sloping roofline evoke cues from the Porsche 911 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. The rear features a black lip spoiler, LED taillight bar, and a sporty black bumper—visuals that reinforce its GT character.

Inside, Honda has remained tight-lipped about the full cabin reveal, though early peeks show a two-tone front section with a noticeably darker treatment for the rear seats—a subtle hint at cost control. Despite its coupe form, the Prelude brings a measure of practicality, offering split-folding rear seats, underfloor storage, and a liftgate for everyday usability.

Under the Skin: Civic Type R DNA with a Hybrid Twist

While the new Prelude won’t be a track-hardened scalpel like the Civic Type R, it borrows more than a few critical components from Honda’s hot hatch hero. The dual-axis front suspension—originally developed to combat torque steer in high-output front-drivers—makes its first appearance in a non-Type R vehicle, paired with wide front and rear tracks and Brembo front brakes.

Power comes from Honda’s award-winning two-motor hybrid-electric system, shared with the Civic Hybrid. In its current form, the setup delivers 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque from a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine and twin electric motors. However, given the Prelude’s sportier brief, there’s reason to believe the coupe could receive a higher state of tune.

Transmission-wise, don’t expect a traditional manual gearbox. Instead, the Prelude debuts Honda’s new S+ Shift system, a drive mode that enhances the brand’s Linear Shift Control to simulate gear changes through paddle shifters. While it lacks a third pedal, the promise is of an engaging drive that combines hybrid efficiency with dynamic flair—without the artificial feel of a CVT.

A Grand Touring Hybrid for the Global Stage

Honda is positioning the Prelude not as a corner-carving track weapon but as a globally harmonized grand touring coupe—one that’s fun-to-drive, refined, and efficient. As Hans de Jaeger, Senior Vice President of Honda Motor Europe, puts it:

“Not only will it deliver excellent efficiency, but it will also offer the fun-to-drive performance that this model is known for.”

The design also serves a broader purpose. Honda sees the Prelude as a design and engineering preview of future electrified performance models. “It was built to uncover the latent demand for the ideal sports car,” according to development lead Tomoyuki Yamagami. That “ideal” appears to strike a balance between performance and livability—a hybrid sports coupe with practicality baked in.

And while the standard Prelude isn’t aimed at circuit driving, rumors already hint at hotter Type S and Type R variants brewing in the background. If those plans materialize, they will likely arrive much later in the product cycle.

Pricing and Expectations

Pricing is still under wraps, but Honda is expected to position the Prelude above the 2026 Civic Hybrid Hatchback, which starts at $31,645 in the U.S. That could place the Prelude in the mid-$30K to low-$40K range depending on trim and market—a competitive slot for a stylish, tech-forward hybrid coupe with performance aspirations.

The 2026 Honda Prelude may wear a familiar badge, but this is no retro retread. It’s a bold reinvention—a stylish, practical hybrid coupe infused with Type R DNA and engineered for the new age of electrified performance. With global ambitions and a smart blend of design, technology, and driving fun, the Prelude might just redefine what a sporty daily driver can be in a world that’s rapidly transitioning to hybrid and electric power.

Source: Honda

Tuning

Autotique Drops Aggressive Widebody Kit for the Honda NSX

The original Honda NSX—sold under Acura branding in North America—has long been revered as a benchmark of ‘90s performance engineering. Not only did it fuse everyday usability with exotic car dynamics, it did so with input from none other than Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna. Today, its clean lines, mid-engine layout, and analog driving experience have cemented its place as a modern classic.

That reverence hasn’t stopped tuners from reinterpreting the NSX in bold new ways. One of the latest and most eye-catching takes comes from Autotique, a relatively fresh tuning outfit based in Australia. Their vision? A dramatic redesign of the first-gen NSX that stays true to its soul while turning heads in the modern age.

A Tribute to a Legend, Rebuilt for Today

Unveiled at the Session AU show in Sydney, Autotique debuted two distinct aero kits for the NSX: the Widebody and the more subtle OEM Plus. Both were built on the earlier NSX model years (1990–2001), intentionally bypassing the 2002–2006 facelifted version. The Widebody kit was the star of the show, a collaborative effort involving international design talent.

The initial sketches were created by Piston Zero, a freelance automotive designer based in Norway. From there, Thai builder Mozy took charge of transforming the digital concept into a physical prototype. Autotique then stepped in to refine the design for low-volume production.

The result is a dramatic overhaul of the NSX’s appearance. Most exterior panels have been replaced with bespoke parts. The stock pop-up headlights, doors, hood, and greenhouse are among the few remaining factory components, preserving just enough of the NSX’s original DNA.

Bold, Purposeful, and Distinctly Modern

The front fascia now features a deep front bumper with enlarged intakes, thin LED DRLs, and a race-inspired splitter. Widened fenders and redesigned side skirts give the car an aggressive, planted stance, further accentuated by low-profile tires wrapped around aftermarket alloys. The ride height is substantially lower than stock, enhancing the car’s presence.

Around the rear, Autotique ditches the NSX’s iconic full-width taillight in favor of bespoke LED units with a dark tint and modern graphic signature. The bumper has been reshaped to accommodate the widebody proportions and integrates a large diffuser and dual exhaust outlets. A fixed rear wing extension—now body-colored—adds downforce and visual drama.

Not every detail from the original render made it to the prototype. Notably absent are the Honda badging, vented hood, and aggressive front canards, suggesting future refinements are still possible.

OEM Plus: Subtle, But Sharpened

For purists or collectors who prefer a lighter touch, the NSX OEM Plus kit offers a more restrained makeover. The front bumper gets modestly revised intakes, while the hood is slightly raised for a subtle performance look. Extended side skirts and a revised rear bumper round out the enhancements. It’s a kit that modernizes the NSX without shouting about it.

Performance Left Untouched—For Now

Interestingly, Autotique’s kits are strictly cosmetic. Under the skin, the NSX remains stock, including its legendary 3.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 with VTEC, delivering 270 hp (201 kW / 274 PS) and 210 lb-ft (285 Nm) of torque to the rear wheels. That decision may disappoint those hoping for chassis or powertrain upgrades, but it also ensures the car’s original mechanical balance remains intact.

Treading the Line Between Custom and Collectible

Autotique hasn’t yet revealed pricing or availability for the kits but plans to open orders soon. The big question, though, is whether NSX owners—many of whom now treat the car as an appreciating asset—will be willing to commit to such an extensive transformation. With clean examples of the original NSX climbing in value, modifying one is a bold move.

Still, for those who want to celebrate the NSX’s legacy while adding a modern edge, Autotique’s work offers a compelling new chapter in the story of Japan’s most iconic supercar.

Source: Autotique; Photo: Mozy and Autotique via Facebook

News

Acura Donates 75 Electric ZDX SUVs to The Nature Conservancy

In a bold move reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship, Acura is donating 75 units of its all-electric ZDX performance SUV—currently one of America’s best-selling premium EVs—to The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The donation represents the largest vehicle contribution in the brand’s history and is aimed at helping the nonprofit transition to a cleaner, lower-emission fleet as it continues its vital conservation efforts across the U.S.

This initiative builds on more than three decades of collaboration between Honda—Acura’s parent company—and The Nature Conservancy, a partnership rooted in shared values around sustainability and ecosystem protection.

But the donation doesn’t stop at the vehicles. The Honda family of companies in the U.S., which includes Acura, is also contributing $1 million to support the deployment of EV charging infrastructure and operational costs associated with the new ZDX fleet. The vehicles will be delivered via Acura dealerships nationwide, enabling local TNC teams to travel efficiently to fieldwork locations, connect with communities, and access remote conservation sites—all while minimizing environmental impact.

“We’re proud to partner with The Nature Conservancy and Acura dealers across America to help advance sustainability by contributing to a lower-emissions future,” said Mike Langel, assistant vice president of Acura National Sales. “The Acura ZDX fleet will support The Nature Conservancy’s important fieldwork, enabling more efficient travel to conservation sites while reducing the environmental impact of transportation.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Acura for this donation,” added Daniel Salzer, Director of Sustainability for The Nature Conservancy. “The donation of these vehicles has significantly accelerated our efforts to electrify our fleet, reducing our carbon footprint, and setting a powerful example of climate leadership.”

A Legacy of Conservation

The roots of the Honda–TNC partnership trace back to Ohio over 30 years ago, when Honda first collaborated with TNC to protect the Big Darby Creek watershed—one of the Midwest’s most biologically diverse aquatic systems. Over the years, Honda has contributed more than $1 million to safeguard the headwaters of this vital tributary to the Scioto River, which supplies drinking water to tens of thousands of Ohioans.

In 2020, Honda donated 90 acres of land to TNC in Ohio, further reinforcing its commitment to conservation. More recently, in 2023, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation donated $625,000 to TNC programs across 10 states, including support for local chapters in Alabama, California, and Indiana.

Electrifying the Future

The all-new Acura ZDX, launched earlier this year, marks a turning point in Acura’s electrification strategy. As a performance SUV designed with both luxury and sustainability in mind, the ZDX embodies Acura’s vision for a zero-emissions future without compromising on driving dynamics or design.

This strategic donation to TNC not only underscores Acura’s leadership in the premium EV space, but also signals a new era of cross-sector collaboration between automakers and environmental organizations working toward shared climate goals.

With this high-impact initiative, Acura is doing more than just delivering EVs—it’s delivering on a promise to drive change, protect natural ecosystems, and electrify the road ahead.

Source: Honda