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One of Honda’s Most Iconic Tuners Makes the Spicy Prelude That the Carmaker Won’t

Mugen gives Honda’s latest sports coupe the treatment of every JDM enthusiast’s dreams.

Front view of a white Honda car with Mugen license plate, black grille, blue brake calipers, and silver alloy wheels.Mugen
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By Chris Chin

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Mugen, one Japan’s most iconic tuning firms most closely associated with doing up Hondas, just revealed its latest treatment for the Prelude. With Tokyo Auto Salon in full swing, the company seized the moment to introduce an extremely limited-production model, complete with an extensive list of modifications.

But in case you’re unable to grab one of those limited Prelude, Mugen also debuted a completely new line of aftermarket accessories. It perpetuates a long-standing relationship between the two firms, which has led to some of the most desirable aftermarket upgrades among Honda and Japanese Domestic Market auto enthusiasts.

The hotter Prelude that Honda says they aren’t making

White Honda sports coupe with carbon fiber side mirrors and blue brake calipers on gray background.
Mugen built just 16 complete “Spec.III” Preludes, which will instantly become collectors for the most ardent Honda fans.
Mugen

While Mugen is known for making lots of upgradable parts and accessories exclusively for Honda models, it’s also known for producing complete cars and packages. And that’s one of the biggest highlights of their exhibition.

To epitomize its latest offerings for the Prelude, Mugen unveiled its new “Spec.III” Package, which the company applied in full to just 16 units in total.

White Mugen Prelude Spec III sports coupe with black side mirrors and multi-spoke alloy wheels.
The Spec.III package pays tribute and takes inspiration from the Spec.II Package offered on the 1988 Prelude.
Mugen

The package includes Mugen exterior carbon fiber upgrades, wheels, interior trim bits and even some retro vinyl graphics. But they’re not just any new upgrades.

Rather, the package and upgrades take inspiration and pay tribute to its predecessor, the “Spec.II” kit. The last time Mugen originally offered that Spec.II package was on the third-generation Prelude in 1988.

Red Mugen Prelude Spec II car shown from front, side, and rear views with images of body kits, emblems, shock absorbers, exhaust, muffler, and wheels below.
Back in 1988, Mugen offered a similar line of accessories for the third-gen Prelude.
Mugen

Because the Spec.III package is limited to just 16 units, Mugen is running a lottery system for prospective buyers. And obviously, you have to be living in Japan to even attempt claiming one, if they all haven’t been claimed already.

Front view of a red Honda Prelude Mugen Spec II with pop-up headlights and fog lights.
Mugen-tuned Hondas are some of the most desirable and collectible models.
Mugen

If you do happen to live in Japan, but can’t spring for the 16 limited-production Mugen Prelude Spec.IIIs, you can still make your own. The company still offers all the parts separately for purchase.

More than just all show

White Honda Prelude coupe with black rear diffuser, carbon fiber spoiler, and blue brake calipers on gray background.
If you’re looking for a spicier Prelude, the Mugen Spec.III is the closest thing, for now.
Mugen

While the Spec.III just seems like an appearance package, customers can also opt for performance upgrades on top. Such includes sport-tuned Yamaha shocks, a high-performance brake pad kit, and a custom stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system.

Glossy black car rear diffuser with carbon fiber accents and a large Mugen-branded exhaust tip.
Custom exhaust systems are one of the most popular Mugen upgrades for Hondas.
Mugen

Mugen also offers other upgrades, including branded brake and clutch reservoir caps, an engine oil-filler cap, floor mats, Mugen wheel lug nuts and center caps, and and key fob cases, all for the most diehard of fans.

Carbon fiber rear spoiler mounted on the trunk of a white Honda Prelude car.
Mugen nudges the Prelude closer to a more hardcore sports coupe with its latest carbon fiber upgrades.
Mugen

But being Mugen parts, they do command a premium. And that’s because Mugen parts are highly regarded in the JDM enthusiast world as the cream-of-the-crop for quality aftermarket Honda upgrades.

Silver two-door sports coupe with black alloy wheels parked in a concrete space with angular shadows.
The Mugen Prelude definitely looks more like a sports coupe with all the upgrades applied.
Mugen

For instance, the Spec.III Package, if bought separately from the 16 limited-production complete cars, costs the equivalent of around $10,000.

Those Mugen BBS-sourced wheels? Just under $4,500. And those Yama-tuned dampers? Around $910.

Polished stainless steel car exhaust muffler with a black Mugen-branded tip on a gray surface.
The stainless-steel Mugen exhaust kit starts at an eyewatering $2,170.
Mugen

Check every single options box on the catalogue and you’re looking at around $17,300 worth of Mugen accessories. That’s even before one calculates the labor to equip it all, on top of $43,000 for the Prelude itself.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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