Relevant to our KC2s...Honda is going to be first to market by selling 100 Level 3 autonomous Legends, in Japan only, for the princely sum of $102k at the current conversion rate from yen. Really cool tech...and I say that even though I have three manual transmission cars in my driveway.

https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/04/...MorUotX_FHAOh4

 

I remember seeing an article on testing this tech on the RLX/Legend last year. I figured that would be a perfect platform to test since everything is "drive-by-wire", "brake-by-wire" and the Traffic Jam assist tech was already included. I would be more cautious about this level of tech on American roads because of the other unpredictable drivers out there. It is probably easier to roll out Level 3 in Japan compared to the North American market with different restrictions in every state, province/territories in 3 different countries. The Acurawatch system is really conservative when engaged and I have to intervene occasionally to keep up with traffic and maintain my intervals. I can't imagine this system being much different and very conservative in its engagement.

 

Interesting that they were able to do Level 3 autonomous driving when they couldn’t even develop Honda Sensing themselves and had to buy an off-the-shelf solution from Bosch.

 

Official Honda video with English subtitles is on this page from the Honda website. We'll eventually see the tech in the USA...but given the price of entry in Japan, it's gonna be a while IMO...

https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-co...e72d443f0fcd68

 

Here is Temple of VTEC article on the same: https://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?...tem_id=1442083

 

Not only is it $102,000, but limited to 100 units built, and lease only.

I just want to know if the non-autonomous version of the 2021 will use the same infotainment with minor software updates that will allow Car Play/Android Auto. I wouldn't mind swapping out the radio for that, assuming the upper display is still the same resolution. =D

 

 

Looks like the 2021 RLX/Legend come in two flavors of sport hybrid and the Level 3 sensing. Couldn't tell; but, it looked like the regular sport hybrid 21 RLX looked the same as the 18-20 version. Looks like they added a lighter plastic wood trim to the ebony interior only. The next RLX/Legend will be +$80,000 if they bring this tech to North America along with an all new vehicle 5-10 years from now. I'll bet you will find that Hyundai will have the same or better tech on their next gen vehicles at the same time down the road.

 

The interesting part of that video is at the very very end there's a rear-end pic that shows the Legend with a trailer hitch. ;-)

 

I've sometimes seen coupes and sedans pulling a diagnostic trailer during testing.