First look: Honda concept a future Legend

HONDA will unveil its next generation Legend in concept form at this week’s New York motor show.

Tagged with its US luxury Acura RL title, the new four-door sedan will virtually mirror the production version scheduled to begin manufacture in Japan from September.

Honda Australia will release the new Legend in the second half of next year, probably at the October 2005 Sydney motor show.

Now in its fourth generation, the luxury Honda should retain its predecessor’s front-wheel drive and V6 engine configurations, although speculation of a V8 is still rife.

However more expensive versions will feature Honda’s new 4WD system called Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD).

SH-AWD enhances handling, cornering and stability abilities by monitoring driver input and driving conditions and then combining front-rear torque distribution with rear-directed left-right torque distribution via a rear differential.

Torque distribution oscillates between 30:70 and 70:30 front and rear thanks to direct electro-magnetic clutches located (in a world first) inside the differential. They are also responsible for the 100:0 and 0:100 rear left-right wheel drive.

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The new Legend is only the fourth iteration of a series first released in Australia in May 1986

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Another first is the differential’s trick built-in acceleration device, which alters the gearing to speed up the outside rear wheels to match the front wheels, for greater efficiency and improved manoeuvrability.

Honda claims SH-AWD provides the "optimum amount of torque to all four wheels in accordance with driving conditions", as well as better steering feel for keen drivers.

No other details about the new Legend are available, although rumours persist that Honda may eventually offer a Legend installed with an Insight/Civic Hybrid-like IMA electric motor for lower emissions and higher fuel economy.

The new Legend is only the fourth iteration of a series first released in Australia in May 1986.

The original was a co-development with the Austin Rover Group, which sired the SD1-usurping Rover 800/Sterling series. Its more radical Mk2 replacement followed from April 1991.

The current model is just shy of its eighth birthday in Australia, released locally in May 1996 with only a minor facelift in early 1999.

It is powered by 147kW 3.5-litre V6 engine married to a four-speed automatic transmission, and retails for $86,550.