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Honda Legend III (KA9) 3.5 i 24V (205 Hp)
Overall Rating
Honda Legend:
The Honda Legend is a series of V6-engined executive cars that was produced by Honda between 1985 and 2021, and served as its flagship vehicle. The Legend has also been sold under the Acura Legend, RL and RLX nameplates — the successive flagship vehicles of Honda's luxury Acura division in North America from 1986 until 2020.
The first-generation Legend, introduced to Japan on October 22, 1985, was the first production Honda vehicle to offer only a SOHC V6 engine worldwide. The introduction of the Legend also coincided with the launch of a new dealership sales channel in Japan, called Honda Clio. The Legend was the result of a joint venture with Britain's Austin Rover Group called Project XX that started in November 1981 with the Austin Rover-Honda XX letter of intent signed by the two companies to replace the Rover SD1 and to provide a luxury vehicle for Honda, and was codenamed as HX. The Rover Company had a long-established reputation as a luxury car maker in the United Kingdom and Europe, demonstrated by the Rover P5 and Rover P6, and Honda wanted to introduce a luxury car for the Japanese, European and North American markets. Rover also wanted to return to the American market when previously they had reportedly sold only 1,500 cars in 1971, and a brief return in 1980, selling 800 Rover SD1s by offering the Sterling which was also a result of the ARG-Honda partnership. The development work was carried out at Rover's Canley, Coventry plant and Honda's Tochigi Prefecture development centre. Design work concluded on the Legend in 1982, with a design patent being filed on September 27, 1982, at the Japan Patent Office under application number 1982-043493 and registered on September 19, 1984, under patent number 0640105....(Read more on Wikipedia)
III (KA9) Overview:
Honda Legend (III (KA9)). With 297 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1750 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 9.1 s). The top speed reaches 215 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
3.5 i 24V (205 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 3.5L C35A2 V6 engine provides smooth and ample power for comfortable cruising, though its 9.1-second 0-100 km/h acceleration is more relaxed than sporty. It's well-suited for a luxury sedan of its class.
Fuel Economy
With a combined fuel consumption of 11 l/100 km, the 3.5L V6 is typical for a large, naturally aspirated engine of its generation. Urban consumption of 17 l/100 km can be high, but extra-urban is reasonable at 9.4 l/100 km.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Exceptional ride comfort and refinement
- • Smooth and reliable 3.5L V6 engine
- • Spacious and well-appointed interior
- • Honda's renowned build quality and reliability
- • Good value on the used market
Cons:
- • Fuel economy can be high, especially in urban driving
- • Performance is more relaxed than sporty
- • Dated infotainment and technology compared to modern cars
- • Parts availability for older luxury models can sometimes be a challenge
- • Front-wheel drive might not appeal to all luxury sedan buyers
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(II Coupe (KA8): 1991 - 1996).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Honda |
| Model: | Legend |
| Generation: | III (KA9) |
| Modification (Engine): | 3.5 i 24V (205 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1996 |
| End of production: | 2006 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 205 Hp @ 5200 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 59 Hp/l [110mm more] |
| Torque: | 297 Nm @ 2800 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | C35A2 More details about the engine C35A2 |
| Engine displacement: | 3474 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.6 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 90 mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 91 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.6:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 17 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 9.4 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 11 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 9.1 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 9.1 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 215 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 8.5 kg/Hp, 117.1 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.9 kg/Nm, 169.7 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 8.6 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1750 |
| Max. weight: | 2180 |
| Max load: | 430 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 450 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 68 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4995 mm [110mm more] |
| Width: | 1820 mm [10mm more] |
| Height: | 1430 mm [60mm more] |
| Wheelbase: | 2910 mm [80mm more] |
| Front track: | 1550 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1540 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 215/60 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | 15 |
| Front suspension | Coil spring |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
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