Honda Prelude returns to Australia in 2026 with hybrid power
After vanishing from Australian showrooms more than two decades ago, the Honda Prelude is back.
Honda Australia director of automotive Robert Thorp confirmed yesterday that the beloved Japanese two-door sports coupe will return in hybrid form mid-2026.
'We're thrilled to add this iconic nameplate to the Honda line-up next year,' he said.
'Prelude taps into a rare combination of nostalgia and performance with broad appeal
across generations of Honda customers, old and new.'
Originally launched in 1978, the Prelude earned a reputation as one of the most technologically advanced Japanese cars of its time with features like the world's first four-wheel steering system and electric sunroof.
Honda Prelude concept next to the original. Picture: Supplied
Now reinvented as a 'speciality sports' hybrid, the new Prelude ditches the turbochargers for a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with Honda's latest e: HEV hybrid technology, the same powertrain found in the Civic Hybrid, but retuned for a sportier feel.
Official specifications are still under wraps, but power figures are expected to mirror the Civic's 135kW electric motor, with total power estimated around 149kW, similar to the discontinued 2001 Honda Prelude VTi-R (147kW).
With an estimated 0-100km sprint of approximately 6 seconds, the new Prelude won't rival full-blown performance cars, but it will outpace some competitors.
It represents the return of stylish, reasonably affordable coupes that have disappeared from Australian roads – cars like the Toyota Celica, Holden Calibra, Subaru SVX, Mazda 626 and Ford Probe.
The 2026 Honda Prelude concept debuted last year at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Picture: Supplied
Inside, you can expect the Prelude to have a new 9-inch infotainment system, a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Prelude has been redesigned with the driver's seat and the passenger seat offering different specifications.
The driver's seat will have increased hold suitable for sports driving, while the passenger seat will provide more comfort.
Originally launched in 1978, the Prelude earned a reputation as one of the most technologically advanced Japanese cars of its time. Picture: Automobiles/Honda
Honda has also redesigned the vehicle to be more practical with rear-folding seats, hidden storage compartments, and an accessible luggage area.
Pricing has yet to be revealed, but it is likely to be high given that the Prelude has always been one of Honda's premium products.
With the market for sporty coupes shrinking in Australia and hybrid options being rare, the 2026 Prelude is a smart move by Honda, which could hit a sweet spot.
Full Australian specifications will be revealed close to its arrival in 2026.
Originally published as The cult classic is back: Honda Prelude
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Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth. The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard. However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event. He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey. This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia. McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023. While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. 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While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights. "This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits. "We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks. "The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks. "This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong "The spectators love it as well. "Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways. "This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.
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MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora. Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name. However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025. MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later. Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora. Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name. However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025. MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later. Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora. Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March. "We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles," said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. "The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name. However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025. MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later. Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV. A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom Content originally sourced from:
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MG could release a second small electric hatchback in Australia, giving it yet another rival for the likes of the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora. Images taken by CarExpert reader Lindsay in Canberra show a camouflaged, right-hand drive version of the new MG 4 previewed in China in March. 'We have taken our evaluation of this new model to the next stage in our process. It is under serious consideration to join alongside our award winning MG4 range to best match technology to the evolving needs of Australian drivers and lifestyles,' said an MG Motor Australia spokesperson. 'The much loved current MG4 is not going anywhere. Further testing will be completed before a decision is reached around this new model in Australia.' CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert While this new model has confusingly been revealed as the new MG 4 in China – where the existing MG 4 is no longer available – it's almost certain to wear a different nameplate here. In late June, MG parent SAIC Motor applied to trademark the name MG 4 EV Urban with IP Australia. MG said earlier this month that no decision had been made to use this name. However, of the MG trademarks SAIC Motor has filed over the past five years, all bar one – the QS Plug-in Hybrid – has subsequently appeared on a vehicle in local showrooms. The MG 4 will be officially launched in China on August 5, 2025. Supplied Credit: CarExpert MG previewed the new MG 4 in March as its first global vehicle of 2025, but didn't show off its interior until later. Video clips and images published by MG on Chinese social media have shown off a minimalist interior in a shade of beige, featuring a large and free-standing, landscape-oriented touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. A single row of buttons sits below the touchscreen, while in China at least it'll offer MG's new 'cockpit system', which was developed with smartphone brand Oppo but also supports Huawei and Apple devices, allowing voice-activated commands, gesture-based navigation and smartphone mirroring. There's still much that is not known about the vehicle, though MG Motor Australia confirmed earlier this year that it is based on a different platform to the rear/all-wheel drive Modular Scalable Platform that underpins the existing MG 4 and new MG S5 EV small electric SUV. Supplied Credit: CarExpert A Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, shared by Car News China, revealed the new MG 4 measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide and 1551mm tall on a 2750mm wheelbase. That makes it 108mm longer, 6mm wider and up to 47mm taller than the current MG 4, on a 45mm longer wheelbase. Technical specifications in the filing are reportedly limited, though a single electric powertrain comprising a 120kW electric motor is listed, along with a kerb weight of 1485kg. The new hatch uses a 70kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Despite featuring a front bumper and tail-lights inspired by the flagship Cyberster electric sports car, the new hatch is much more softly styled than the existing MG 4 that's no longer offered in China but remains popular in markets such as Australia and Europe. The softer styling is complemented by new pastel green and purple exterior finishes, though MG has also shown off a bright red MG 4 on Weibo with black stripes. The current MG 4 may not have been a hit in China, but in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fifth best-selling EV. MG delivered 2268 examples, making it more popular than the Dolphin (1337) despite a sales drop of 18.2 per cent from the same period last year. MORE: Explore the MG 4 showroom
