Recently revealed, Honda clearly had a vision for the new Prelude—and that vision involved motorsports from the very beginning. The first prototype of the Honda Prelude GT500 race car has been unveiled and has already begun testing ahead of the upcoming motorsports season.

Set to compete in the 2026 Super GT season, the Prelude GT500 will go head-to-head with Toyota’s Supra GT500 and Nissan’s Z Nismo GT500. In true Super GT fashion, Honda Racing Corporation’s (HRC) creation features extensive aerodynamic bodywork designed to maximize downforce and efficiency. The wide body conceals an aggressively planted stance, while the massive rear wing looks ready to keep the car firmly on the tarmac. For those still unconvinced, the front canards and additional aero elements along the side skirts further ensure that this beast stays glued to the track.

The Honda Prelude GT500 will replace the short-lived Civic Type R-GT, which has only competed for two years since taking over from the NSX-GT. Typically, Super GT manufacturers run the same platform for multiple seasons, but Honda felt that the Civic’s four-door layout limited its performance potential.

HRC believes that the newly developed Prelude GT500 has far greater potential than the Civic Type R-GT, benefiting from the experience and data gathered over the past two years. Expect to see this new contender make its debut when the 2026 Super GT season kicks off.