Acura Legend
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Acura Legend | |
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| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Also called | Honda Legend |
| Production | 1986–1995 |
| Assembly | Saitama, Saitama, Japan |
| Successor | Acura 3.5RL |
| Class | Mid-size luxury car |
| Body style | 2-door coupe 4-door sedan |
| Related | Rover 800 Honda Accord |
| Similar | Audi 100 Lincoln Continental Volvo 740 |
| First generation | |
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| Production | 1986–1990 |
| Engine | 2.5 L C25A V6 2.7 L C27A V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 108.70 in. (sedan) 106.50 in. (coupe) |
| Length | 190.60 in. (sedan) 188.00 in. (coupe) |
| Width | 68.90 in. (sedan) 68.70 in. (coupe) |
| Height | 54.70 in. (sedan) 53.90 in. (coupe) |
| Second generation | |
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| Production | 1991–1995 |
| Engine | 3.2 L C32A V6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic 6-speed manual |
| Wheelbase | 111.40 in. (coupe) 114.60 in. (sedan) |
| Length | 194.90 in. (sedan) 192.50 in. (coupe) |
| Width | 71.30 in. |
| Height | 53.50 in. (coupe) 55.10 in. (sedan) |
The Acura Legend, sold as the Honda Legend outside the U.S., Canada, and parts of China, was a sporty luxury vehicle sold from 1986 to 1995 as both a sedan and a coupe. It was one of the first vehicles sold under the Acura nameplate, and was the top-spec sedan under the Acura nameplate until being replaced in 1996 by the Acura 3.5RL. The 3.5RL was a rebadged version of the third generation Honda Legend.
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[edit] First generation
Honda introduced the model in 1985 in Japan to be their premier luxury model and in 1986 in North America as the range-topping model in the then-new Acura lineup. The first generation Legend is notable for many technical innovations. The coupe was the first to be engineered using CAD (computer aided design). Sedan models came to market first, powered by a 151 hp 2.5 L C25A V6 with coupes appearing for 1987 powered by a new 161 hp 2.7 L C27A engine. Sedans received the new engine for 1988. Production of the first generation models ended in 1990 as a second generation version became available.
The Legend was indeed an impressive car receiving accolades from all sides ( winner of JD power four years in a row from 87 - 90) The Coupe model was on Car and Drivers ten best lists three years in a row. The Legend Coupe was Motor Trend's "import car of the year" for 1987. Legends were regarded for their impeccable fit and finish as well as their incredible reliability. They were also excellent performers. Manually equipped models could sprint to 60 mph in under 8 seconds and reach a top speed of 135 mph. Sedan models had a coefficient of drag of .32, while coupes were only .30.
Technical highlight were numerous, features such as a multivalve V6 engine, variable length intake manifold, a double wishbone suspension, 4wheel disc brakes, abs brakes, air bag and an information system. (that could monitor maintenance intervals, fluid levels, and provide the driver with fuel economy information)
In 1989, the sedan received some minor tweaks with new, one piece front headlamps, a new front bumper, a revised trunk lid and new tail lights. New alloy wheels also replaced the old ones and some pieces of exterior molding also changed. Inside, a revised dash and seat cloth patterns is also noticable. The high end LS now featured a trip computer in the center stack.
In 1990, the Legend coupe LS was revamped with a woodgrain interior, clear/red taillights, and a new, body colored grill. The sedans also received the woodgrain interior for the LS model.
[edit] Second generation
Second generation units became available for the 1991 model year, now using a 200 hp SOHC (C32A) engine. The second generation Legend was a larger, more streamlined looking automobile (drag coefficients were actually higher at .34 for sedans and .32 for coupes). The early models could be had with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission. By this time, the Integra was using a DOHC, VTEC equipped I4 engine. Honda's choice for an engine came as a disappointment to some fans who were hoping that the NSX's 270 hp 3.0 L (C30A) engine would be used as-is in the Legend. As a luxury car, the Legend offered a host of features seen on luxury cars of today including speed sensitive steering, hands-free telephone, automatic climate control, heated leather seats, heated mirrors, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, seat belt pre-tensioners and soft close vacuum operated doors (2-door models only).
For 1991 and 1992 the Legend was available in three trim lines (Base, L, LS) for the sedan and two trim lines for the coupe (L, LS). The higher end LS cars added climate control, sportier Michelin tires, a power 4-way passenger seat, burled walnut interior trim, and body colored side moldings. Honda made significant upgrades to the model for 1993, and a 230 hp "Type II" version of the SOHC C32A engine became available in the higher end cars, appeasing some of those who had hoped for the NSX's powerplant. 1993 also saw the delete of the black molding on the entry level cars so that all models now had painted body-coloured side moldings. A new alloy wheel design with fewer spokes replaced the old one on the sedans.
More changes were made for 1994: both coupe and sedan versions received new front bumpers, a new front grill, and revised trunk lids. The word "Legend" was now spelled out in individual letters on the back of both sedan and coupe. A new GS sedan took over as the top of the line variant, sporting the "Type II" engine, upgraded brakes and a sports-suspension along with a unique grill and wheels while the standard Base Legend was dropped and the "L" now became the entry level model. Also added was a limited production SE or "Special Edition" sedan which was available in both 1994 and 1995. This sedan was essentially a Legend L with a two tone paint scheme and unique wheels and floor mats. Minor changes were made again for 1995 before the model was discontinued. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on 1993 and newer LS coupes and an option on 1994-1995 GS sedans.
[edit] Trivia
- The Legend shared its engine (in the highest trim), transmission, chassis and some other parts with the Rover 800-series models, sold in the United States under the Sterling brand. Both generations of Legend were co-developed with Rover group and sold under the Rover name in the UK and France. The US only received the first generation of this collaboration, equipped with the Honda 2.5 L V6.
- The Japan Domestic Market version of the 1990 Legend was the first vehicle offered with a navigation system, although it was not satellite-based and instead relied on accelerometers.
- The "replacement" for the Legend sedan is sold as the Acura RL in North America, although Honda continues to sell it as the Legend in most other areas of the world.
- The tooling and intellectual property rights of the second generation Legend were licensed to Daewoo Motors of South Korea, where a clone of the Legend sedan, called the Daewoo Arcadia, was produced from 1993 to 2000. During this period, Honda also held a small stake in Daewoo Motors.
[edit] Awards
The Legend coupe was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1987. The coupe also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1988 through 1990.
[edit] External links
- The Acura Legend/RL community A site dedicated to the Legend
- Honda Legend specs
[edit] See also
| Acura, a division of Honda — road car timeline, 1986-present - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |||
| Compact | 1.6EL | 1.7EL | CSX | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport compact | Coupé | Integra G1 | Integra G2 | Integra G3 | RSX | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sedan | TSX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size | Coupé | CL | CL | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sedan | Vigor | TL | TL | TL | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size | Legend | Legend | RL | RL | RL | RL | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | RDX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MDX | MDX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SUV | SLX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sports | NSX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
