Honda Legend

The Honda Legend, currently marketed as the Acura RL in North America, is a full-size luxury car made by the Japanese automaker Honda. It was originally developed as part of Project XX, a joint venture with the Austin Rover Group of the United Kingdom; the resultant "twin" was the 1986 Rover 800 series.


Background

The Legend was initially a four-door sedan (saloon), with a two-door coupé being added later. The first Honda Legend used a 2.0 liter V6 C20A. This was Honda's first V6. In subsequent models, a larger version of the same engine was used, the 2.5 C25A, then the 2.7 C27A, and then a turbocharged C20AT was introduced that was the most powerful Honda engine ever made at the time, and also was Honda's first turbocharged engine. This motor used a revolutionary wing turbo system. Only recently has Honda turbocharged another gasoline engine. The C-series engines were very capable/reliable and highly regarded engines. All 2nd Generation Legends used a larger version C32A, of this motor. Also, all NSX's used a more powerful C-series engine C30A and C32B, which were essentially based on the original C20/C25/C27 used in the first Honda Legend. The sedan was the model which launched Honda's premium Acura brand in the North America. The North American market did not get the C20A or the C20AT. The first generation Acura Legend did use the same C25A, and later the C27A, although power output varied slightly from the Honda Legend versions. The newest iteration is the 3.5 liter C35A used in the 3rd generation (1996-2004) Honda/Acura Legend.

The first-generation Honda Legend was manufactured from 1985 until 1989, with a second-generation model (also offered as a sedan and coupé) launching in 1990. The Rover 800 was not renewed, continuing on the old XX platform, although it did receive a major update in 1992. The third-generation Legend was released in 1996.

The first and second-generation Honda Legend was known as the Acura Legend in North American markets and in Hong Kong from 1986-95, and in 1996 the third-generation was renamed the Acura RL, while the Legend name continued on in Japan and other markets onto a third and fourth-generation. Although this naming convention change is now regarded by many as a complete blunder, at the time Acura was trying to compete with the similar Mercedes/Lexus/BMW model names. At the same time, the new Acura RL/Honda Legend was considered a step down in performance and style by many. It is believed by some that Honda/Acura suffered these bad decisions and others due to the death of Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda motors, who was known for his active role in the Honda/Acura Legend. Only recently has Acura recovered in lost sales and brand image. These changes applied to other Acura models as well, including the Vigor to the TL, and a few years later, the Integra to the RSX.


Variants

The second-generation Legend was also manufactured by Daewoo in South Korea from 1993-2000 under the name of Daewoo Arcadia, for the domestic market mostly.

The third-generation model was offered as a sedan only. A mid-term facelift came in 1999.

The swoopier fourth-generation Honda Legend was launched on October 7, 2004 and became Japan's Car of the Year for 2004-05, marking the fourth time in five years that Honda had taken the award. The new car has a 300 PS engine and an intelligent night-vision system to detect pedestrians.

The Legend went on sale in Australia for the 2007 model year, based on the third-generation Acura RL.

In 2008, Honda plans on bringing the Acura brand into the Pacific. The Honda Legend will likely be rebranded into the Acura RL.

Honda Fit

Although the Honda Fit is now one of Honda’s global models, it experienced a very slow progression as it made its way around the world. The car first debuted in the June of 2001 in Japan and immediately became a big hit. It was then introduced to Europe (early 2002), Australia (late 2002), South America (early 2003), South Africa and South-East Asia (mid 2003), China (mid 2004), and Mexico (late 2005). A production model for the United States and Canadian markets debuted on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car was released in Canada on April 3, 2006, and in the U.S. on April 20, 2006. Unlike most Honda models, which traditionally have 4 or 5-year model cycles, the current generation Fit will remain for a longer period of time due to its late release in North America.


Type:
Front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-passenger hatchback.

Price: Base, $14,400 (inc. $550 shipping charge)

Engine:
1.5-liter I-4;
109-hp;
105 lb-ft torque.

EPA fuel economy:
33 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

Where built:
Japan

Cool blue backlit gauges. Roomy, versatile cabin with clever reconfigurable rear seat. Peppy engine with adequate power for passing and merging. Lots of Scion-like accessories. Quick, responsive steering makes car easy to maneuver and park. Loads of standard features on the base model, including air conditioning, CD player and power accessories. Traditional three-ring instrument cluster.

Honda Element SC

* Original MSRP range: US $22,695
* Available in Nighthawk Black Pearl, Root Beer Metallic, Galaxy Grey Metallic & Alabaster Silver Metallic

A new "urban cruiser" trim level called the SC will be offered with a custom bumper, lower roofline and 18 in alloy wheels. It will also feature upgrades to the original Element such as projector-beam halogen headlights and a custom tribal print seat fabric.

Honda Civic

Honda completely redesigned the Civic giving it a more athletic, curvier look. All models (including the base model) come standard with ABS and side and curtain airbags. Additionally, the 2006 models acquired a ULEV-2 (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) rating and boast a more powerful 1.8 liter engine than the 2005 counterparts, but still retain almost equal fuel economy. In the North American market, the sedan, coupé, coupé Si, and Hybrid models are available. A Sedan Si has been announced for the 2007 model year (this is the first ever Civic Si sedan). The Sedan and Coupe all come in 3 available trims (DX, LX, EX) while the Civic Si and Hybrid are sold "as is" with relatively few options (such as a navigation system, automatic day/night compass mirrors, and wheel locks).


Trims and Models

The DX model is the base model that comes equipped with LATCH, immobilizer theft-deterrent system, power windows, daytime running lights (DRL), 15" wheels with covers, driver's seat height adjustment, and other features (All Canadian sold Civics have the 160 watt stereo system) as well as the DX-G model in Canada adds air conditioning, auxiliary input jack for portable audio players, power door locks, remote keyless entry and storage console armrest.

The LX model adds a 160 watt 6-speaker stereo system, air conditioning, 16" wheels with covers (Alloy wheels in Canadian LX models), cruise control, MP3/audio jack, passenger side walk in with memory (Coupe only), floor mats, security system with remote entry and Canadian sold models (except for DX) include heated exterior mirrors.

The EX model adds a moonroof, 4 wheel disc brakes, 16" alloy wheels, an additional 12-volt accessory outlet (for a total of 2), a 350 watt stereo system with 7 speakers (Coupe only, the Sedan EX comes with a 160 watt stereo system), exterior temperature indicator, a foldable rear arm rest with integrated cupholders (Sedan only), and an optional voice-activated navigation system.

The Coupes come standard with a rear lip-spoiler and on the EX models (only) have round chrome finish on the exhaust pipe. They are typically a bit sportier than their Sedan counterparts and cost US$200 less in the US and CDN$200 more in Canada at base MSRP. It should be noted that the EX model of both the Coupe and Sedan are actually a bit smaller, in terms of interior room (because of the moon-roof, which takes up head-room), than their DX and LX counterparts. MSRP is US$14,810 (18.881) for the DX Manual Coupe to approximately $21K for the Si models.

Only a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is offered for the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, which gains more power and a mileage boost to an EPA estimated 49/51 mpg (city/highway). It achieves an AT-PZEV emission rating.

Production
2006-present

Body style
2-door coupe (FG1/2)
3-door hatchback
4-door sedan (FA1)
5-door hatchback

Engine
1.3 L LDA-MF5 I4, IMA engine (Hybrid)
1.8 L R18A1 I4
2.0 L K20Z3 I4
2.0 L K20Z2 I4 (Japanese market only)

Transmission
5-speed manual
6-speed manual
5-speed automatic

Wheelbase
104.3 in (264 cm) (coupe)
106.3 in (269 cm) (sedan)

Length
174.8 in (441 cm) (coupe)
176.7 in (447 cm) (sedan)

Width
68.9 in (172 cm) (coupe)
69.0 in (175 cm) (sedan)

Height
53.5 in (134 cm) (coupe)
56.5 in (142 cm) (sedan)

Fuel capacity
13.2 US gal

Honda CR-V

A redesigned CR-V was launched for the 2007 model year. The redesigned CR-V made its auto show debut at the 2006 Paris Auto Show.

The third generation CR-V is powered by the latest version of Honda's standard K-series 2.4 L 4-cylinder engine, similar variants of which can also be found in the current-generation Honda Accord and Honda Element. A 2.4 L engine upgraded to 166 hp is used in the North American market. A 2.2 L i-CTDI diesel is offered in the European and Asian markets. The European market Honda CR-V offers a new R20A 2.0 L engine, based on the Honda R-series i-VTEC SOHC engine found in the Honda Civic, as opposed to the previous CR-V offering the K20A.

Previously, all CR-Vs produced for the North American market are imported from Honda's plants in Japan and the UK, where production will continue for those respective regions.

The 2007 CR-V features a real liftgate, unlike previous models. There is no longer a spare wheel attached to the back door. The new CR-V is lower, wider and shorter than the previous models; the length decrease stems mostly from the fact that the spare wheel no longer adds length to the back of the vehicle. A lowering of the center of gravity is another benefit of the spare wheel being located underneath the vehicle.

An iPod adapter is optional equipment on US models.

Mugen Motorsports, the well-known Honda tuning company, announced that they will have a full catalogue of performance and cosmetic upgrade parts available for the third-generation CR-V, the first time the company has made parts for the CR-V line.

Engine
2.0 L I4
2.2 L turbodiesel I4
2.4 L I4

Transmission
5-speed manual
5-speed automatic

Wheelbase
2620 mm (103.1 in.)

Length
4520 mm (177.9 in.)

Width
1820 mm (71.6 in.)

Height
1680 mm (66.1 in.)

Related
Honda Civic
Honda Element