I just returned from London and saw this in the Auto Express magazine - I wonder if this has already been posted - basically, the RL, or Honda Legend, will be re-introduced into Europe next year. The only difference between the RL and the Legend is the front grill - I think that the Legend grill is much better than the RL! Also, the Legend grill is actually more in keeping with the style of the other Acura models, giving it a much better brand image. By the way, Auto Express gave it a very good review too, stating that it will be a great competitor to the 5 series and E class.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/

Click on their preview link and you'll see it there.

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http:/...y.php?id=45917

Honda Legend

It's not every day that Auto Express gets invited to sample the technology of tomorrow, but when Honda offered to let us loose in its latest and most secret new car, it was an opportunity we couldn't afford to miss.

This tape and plastic-covered test mule is an early prototype of the all-new Legend, due on sale in 2005 and revealed at last week's New York Motor Show as the US-only Acura RL. Aimed at the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class, its revolutionary four-wheel-drive system is coupled to a new 300bhp 3.5-litre V6, and is one of the most hyped technology developments since Nissan's cutting-edge Skyline GT-R.

Explaining exactly how the technology works is not simple, but in a nutshell the new system offers delicate control of each individual wheel, whatever the driving situations.

Unlike the Subaru Impreza or Mitsubishi's Evo VIII, the Honda has no limited slip differentials. Instead, it relies on a series of electromagnetic clutches, which can vary the amount of power delivered to each wheel. In effect, the system is capable of putting almost all of its power through one wheel should conditions require it.

Christened Super Handling All Wheel Drive, it's Honda's first fully blown on-road 4WD system, and initial impressions are extremely promising. Even though we were driving in the snow, the SH-AWD ensured the 1,750kg prototype turned in superbly with perfectly weighted steering and followed the driver's chosen line with uncanny accuracy. If you enter a left-hand corner too fast, the system takes power from the front wheels as the car begins to understeer, minimising wheelspin.

It then directs its power to the right rear, pushing the car around the corner. All the while of course, the traction control is working in unison to prevent unexpected slips and slides, ensuring that the car stays on its chosen path. You always feel in complete control as you regulate progress with throttle and steering input.

Although there is still no official confirmation of the arrival of the new Legend in the UK, the superb combination of SH-AWD and the torquey 3.5-litre V6 will be real cause for concern in the hallowed halls of Mercedes and BMW.

No doubt they'll have heard reports from Nür-burgring insiders that a Legend prototype was recently spied circling the track and posting lap times not far behind that of the R-34 Skyline GT-R...

 

Thanks for the archive article! The latest "preview" actually had a glowing write-up, stating that Honda finally has a legitimate executive car to rival the 5 series and the E-class. That is a really great compliment. Anyway, they also had a photo with the front grill - I can post it here if only someone could tell me how to post pics here! Thanks!

 

I didn't see a picture of the RL. The only pictures posted look like the modified Inspire they used to design the RL and the SH-AWD system.

 

or a US style Accord.

Chen, who wants to see the Legend's new grille.

 

If someone would be kind enough to tell me how to post pics, I would do it right away! Thanks!

 

Just do [img] pictureURL [/img]

but without the spaces before and after the URL

 

Thanks! Let me try:

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\chester\My Documents\My Pictures\2006 Honda Legend.jpg[IMIG]

 

I am sorry to be such a pain, but the link at Auto Express does not work since it's a pop-up window with the larger picture. Instead, I have saved the pic on the PC - how do I insert a picture from my hard drive please? Sorry about this....

 

 

its it me or is that picture of an Accord driving in the snow?

 

It's not you.

If the Legend is supposed to be just a re-grilled RL, then where are the side mirror blinkers and the fog lights?

And isn't it supposed to have white HIDs, and not yellow lights? Or is that just something I missed?

 

That is indeed the USDM Accord (aka Honda Inspire). It was used as the test bed for the SH-AWD system.

 

Looks the same to them and me.

 

Stop speculating, guys! This is not the picture that is in the current issue of Auto Express. Since I can't post the picture, you can go to their website, then click on LATEST Preview link to see it for yourself. Or even better, go to your nearest newsagent and pick up the current issue of Auto Express. The Legend front grill is very similar to the TL grill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ah...much better. That does look better. It's a more TL-esque grill.

 

IMA?!?!?!?!?! Wow, what a great job by Honda to incorporate the new hybrid trend into their luxury cars. My money would be on IMA technology to come in a year or 2 for the USDM RL, if indeed it does come.

 

Nice, looks appealing as the domestic"Legends".

 

Not that the grille on the RL isn't bad, but that one from the Legend has a more unifying Acura family look. I also noticed that the turn indicators in the headlight clusters is clear vs. amber for the Acura RL.

 

It seems like everytime the non-NA model has some better feature that the NA model.

Motorweek had the review in its last show and of course they liked it - but didn't have track type numbers.