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Honda Legend IV (KB1) 3.5 V6 VTEC (295 Hp) SH-AWD
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)
IV (KB1) Overview:
Honda Legend (IV (KB1)). With 351 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1860 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. All‑wheel drive provides excellent grip, ideal for off‑road use. Acceleration is good (0–100 km/h in 7.3 s). The top speed reaches 250 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 V6 VTEC (295 Hp) SH-AWD Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 3.5L V6 VTEC engine delivers robust power and smooth acceleration, complemented by the advanced SH-AWD system for exceptional handling and grip, making it surprisingly agile for its size.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy is moderate for a large V6 AWD sedan of its time, with a combined 11.9 l/100 km reflecting its performance-oriented nature rather than outright efficiency.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Advanced SH-AWD system provides exceptional handling and stability.
- • Refined and powerful 3.5L V6 VTEC engine.
- • High-quality, comfortable, and well-appointed interior.
- • Excellent build quality and Honda's renowned reliability.
- • Strong safety features (based on US market tests).
Cons:
- • Fuel economy is not class-leading for a luxury sedan.
- • Conservative styling may not appeal to all buyers.
- • 5-speed automatic transmission is less advanced than some rivals.
- • Limited aftermarket support compared to German competitors.
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(III (KA9): 1996 - 2006).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Honda |
| Model: | Legend |
| Generation: | IV (KB1) |
| Modification (Engine): | 3.5 V6 VTEC (295 Hp) SH-AWD |
| Start of production: | 2004 |
| End of production: | 2008 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 295 Hp @ 6200 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 85 Hp/l [38mm less] |
| Torque: | 351 Nm @ 5000 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | J35A8 More details about the engine J35A8 |
| Engine displacement: | 3471 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Direct injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.3 l |
| Coolant: | 6 l |
| Engine layout: | Front, Transverse |
| Cylinder Bore: | 89 mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 93 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 11:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 17 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 8.9 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 11.9 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 7.3 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 7.3 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 250 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 6.3 kg/Hp, 158.6 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.3 kg/Nm, 188.7 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 6.9 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1860 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 452 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 73 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4957 mm [38mm less] |
| Width: | 1845 mm [25mm more] |
| Height: | 1450 mm [20mm more] |
| Wheelbase: | 2800 mm [110mm less] |
| Front track: | 1575 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1585 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drive wheel | All wheel drive (4x4) |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Tires size | 235/50 R17; 245/45 R18 |
| Wheel rims size | 7J x 17; 8J x 18 |
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