Honda's AWD Sedan Breaks Cover

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Going up against the best in the business is no easy feat, but Honda reckons its new Legend will be more than a match for the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 Series.

Launched at the 2004 New York Auto Show, the Honda Legend (which is badged an Acura and was launched as the Acura Prototype RL in the States) aims to be a technology leader in the premium large sedan market, with items such as a new six-cylinder VTEC engine and traffic reporting systems making for a good start.

Though Honda is calling the RL a prototype, the Japanese car and motorcycle manufacturer has already stated that the production model Acura RL/Honda Legend will be on sale by the third quarter of 2004 as a 2005 model.

In addition to the car's many gadgets and gizmos, which we'll get to later, Honda has given the next generation Legend an entirely new look, creating what is a very appealing prestige sedan.

Firstly, there's that controversial derriere that caused BMW so much grief when its 7 Series hit the scene.

In response to questions about the raised edges of the RL's boot, Acura representatives said the same thing Chris Bangle said, that it was designed simply for increased boot space. Call it function over form, if you like.

The front end of the Acura RL prototype has more in common with the Integra (Acura RSX) than the old Honda Legend it will replace, bringing a greater level of sportiness to proceedings. It's also shorter but wider than the current RL, offering more space for passengers.

Honda's design team styled the grille and headlights in such a way that it lends the new Acura RL a more athletic demeanour when compared to the somewhat boxy 2004 model RL, while also bringing it more inline with the marque's global design values.

Massive 20-inch five spoke alloy wheels catch the eye, and are shod with 255/35 R20 Michelin high performance tyres that fill the wheel arches and give the luxury car a more aggressive stance, while brakes only described as 'large' with 4-piston brake calipers and slotted rotors provide deceleration.

To kick off the Acura RL's list of features, let's start with the quad xenon headlights that, like Mercs and Beemers, swivel to better illuminate around corners at night.

The Adaptive Front Lighting System, or AFS in Honda speak, can swivel the headlamps up to 20 degrees in either direction in response to vehicle speed and input from the steering wheel.

Providing the music is a premium 10-speaker Bose DVD-Audio system, tuned to deliver surround sound to all seating positions, and the Acura RL will also get a keyless access system, allowing owners to lock and unlock doors, open the boot, and start the car without using a key.

Perhaps the two biggest drawcards for the bold new Acura, however, will be the all wheel drive "SH-AWD" system and the real-time traffic information system.

The latter feature is an ambitious idea that integrates with the car's GPS-based sat nav system and the XM NavTraffic service beamed from XM's satellites to display a variety of up-to-the-minute traffic information.

This includes flow (traffic speed), accidents, and construction/delays on freeways in 20 major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

Flow and accident information are updated continuously, allowing drivers to take the least congested route to their destination.

At the time of writing, the real-time traffic feature has neither been confirmed nor denied for the Australian launch of the Acura RL, to be called the Honda Legend.

The other major feature of the new Acura RL is an AWD system that sounds quite remarkable, but until we test it, it could end up being just an other cleverly marketed gimmick, or another way of describing a symmetrical 4WD system with active front, rear and central differentials.

From all accounts though, it sounds like the real deal, and beyond being able to divert torque between the front and rear axles, the SH-AWD (SH stands for Super-Handling) system can also transfer torque to between the rear left and right wheels.

Here's the official line on the new SH-AWD system: "During straight line cruising and moderate cornering, up to 70 percent of torque is at the front wheels. During full throttle acceleration or spirited driving, up to 70 percent of available torque goes to the rear wheels for increased acceleration and enhanced cornering.

"In addition to varying the torque front to rear, SH-AWD varies the amount of torque to the left and right rear wheels. When cornering, this groundbreaking technology overdrives the outer rear wheel, sending up to 100 percent of rear torque to that wheel to dramatically enhance the RL's cornering, steering feel, handling and stability. The result is class-leading cornering performance and cornering stability as well as enhanced traction on dry or wet surfaces."

The idea of transferring more torque to the rear wheels sounds intriguing, and it could end handling similar to an R34 Skyline GTR.

The front-wheel drive feeling of understeer would be replaced with a tendency to oversteer, which is a good thing, but diverting 100% torque to just one rear wheel doesn't sound like the safest option - particularly when you've got 225kW of power @ the crank.

But Honda's obviously tested it, and wouldn't release the vehicle if it is a risk to its customers, and Dick Colliver, the executive vice president of sales for Acura, seemed pretty confident: "The RL Prototype really makes a statement about Acura's focus on performance.

"When you combine the high output engine, the sport tuned chassis and Acura's revolutionary all-wheel-drive system, you get a driving experience that other cars in its class just cannot match."

When the 4915mm long Acura RL arrives in dealerships, it will be the most powerful road going Honda ever built, knocking the NSX's 208kW off the throne with its 225kW 3.5-litre V6 engine. The VTEC-enhanced 24-valve powerplant combines with a 5-speed sequential sport shift automatic transmission, which comes with a traditional shifter on the centre console and F1-inspired paddle shifters for the Jensen Button wannabes.

To keep weight down and improve response, Honda fabricated a highly rigid body for the Acura RL that also happens to be lightweight due in large part to copious amounts of aluminium. The suspension, bonnet, boot, front fenders and sub frame all are aluminium.

While Honda is officially calling the Acura RL it displayed in New York a 'Prototype', the production model that arrives in the States in Q3 2004 won't be changed dramatically. What you see is very close to what you'll get.

Combining a host of technological breakthroughs in the form of the SH-AWD system and real-time traffic reporting, Honda has high hopes for its alluring new Acura RL (Honda Legend).

Taking on the Germans at the game they know best, however, will not be easy, and pricing the vehicle too high or too low could also be a problem - will customers want to pay 5-Series prices for something without BMW's badge cachet?