Rebirth Of A Legend As Honda Gets Inspired (new RL = 300hp/awd)

[rubenswm]

The Legend (right) is set for a new lease of life. Honda is secretly developing a new luxury rival to Mercedes' S-Class and BMW's 7-Series. According to our sources, engineers have opted for 4WD and V6 VTEC power - and a 300bhp prototype was testing at Honda's Takasu track in Japan days ago.

When the Legend arrives in 2005, it will join the Inspire. Effectively a 'baby' Legend, this is powered by a 250bhp 3.0 V6 with the latest version of Honda's i-VTEC. It uses all cylinders when accelerating, but only three while cruising, boosting economy. It won't come here, but the technology will be used on future models.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/?http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae_news_story.php?id=38178

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Could that design BE more bland? Boring....

 

[EvilYoda]

huh. looks like a Japanese Buick with some power and AWD. I loved the old Legends too.

 

[Viper GTS]

They seriously need to get a V8, six cylinder power just won't cut it in that market.

Viper GTS

 

[BigSmooth]

A 300 horsepower V6? Yay! I'm sure the execs at Mercedes and BMW are shaking in their boots.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
They seriously need to get a V8, six cylinder power just won't cut it in that market.

Viper GTS

Or a 12

 

[N8Magic]

Unfortunately for Honda, that car will never sell with a V6 powerplant.

The engines in the A8 (4.2L V8), S500 (5.5LV8), Phaeton (W12 or W8), 745 (4.4L V8 or 6.0L V12) waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay outclass that engine. 300hp or not, there simply won't be enough low end torque to swiftly move a car that size.

That and it looks plain and boring.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Bland indeed...

 

[ElFenix]

if they were going to do displacement on demand (toranado anyone?) they should have put a V8 in there but honda has their heads up their asses and would rather put in a less efficient 6.

 

[Haircut]

To everyone saying it looks bland, the pic there is of a 1998 Honda Legend.

 

[bolido2000]

That car looks almost exactly like the current RL. If I recall correctly the whole Acura line is going to look like the TSX and and the upcoming TL (very angular). Also the next RL is supposed to look more like the Dualnote. I doubt that is the next RL the US will be getting. The V6 is correct tho. Acura has no intentions of a V8

 

[Sunner]

Wow, it looks exactly like a....car.
Not ugly, not beautify, not conservative, not daring, just "a car".

Im impressed that they managed to create something that looks so mundane.

 

[gregshin]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
They seriously need to get a V8, six cylinder power just won't cut it in that market.

Viper GTS

agreed

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Haircut
To everyone saying it looks bland, the pic there is of a 1998 Honda Legend.

Or more commonly known as the Acura 3.5RL

 

[Siddhartha]

nevermind

 

[rubenswm]

Yeah, that picture is from a 98.
I guess we'll have to see what they come up with.

 

[Ryan]

I just wish they would revive the legend name in the US The next gen RL is going to be phucking awesome

 

[billandopus]

I love the term "phucking" - creative!

Sorry, carry on.