TORRANCE, CA – Honda’s new contender for the luxury high performance market is equipped with a 295 horsepower engine, the world's first Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, and innovative weight reduction measures to provide an outstanding drive performance that borders on that of a super car.

Guy Edmunds, general manager, Trading Enterprises – Honda, told the media and guests at the VIP launch: “In the design of the new Legend, we took all the traditional Honda brand characteristics of style, innovation and value and extended our focus to achieve an exhilarating driving performance and superior maneuverability reminiscent of a luxury sports car.” He added: “Based on these concepts, this fourth generation Legend offers motorists a new driving experience, providing greater luxury, comfort and safety in all driving conditions. In essence, the Legend is a luxury performance car that epitomizes the power of dreams.”

The Legend benefits from advanced and intelligent technologies originally tested on the F1 race track. Integral to the development of the car is the introduction of the revolutionary SH-AWD system. The first of its kind in the world, the system provides extraordinary cornering prowess when encountering a sharp turn or twisted road. The in-built intelligence reads the road and distributes torque across all four wheels accordingly. For instance, when the Legend is taking a corner under speed, the system diverts 70% of the torque to the outside rear wheel to dramatically increase grip.

The result is outstandingly enhanced control and stability for matchless maneuverability. At the same time, SH-AWD works with Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) to dynamically adjust brake pressure and engine power, correcting for over and under steer.

Additionally, the race track has influenced the inclusion of paddle shifters to allow the driver to enjoy a fuller sporty, manual transmission feel, by changing gears without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

To maximize the performance enhancements realized by the high-output V6 3.5L VTEC engine and SH-AWD, Honda's engineers have made the vehicle as light as possible. High tensile steel is used in approximately 50% of the body frame, while aluminum, magnesium, CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) and other lightweight materials are used in the body, chassis and other parts to achieve a significant weight reduction. This gives the Legend an incredible power to weight ratio.

With any vehicle, Honda considers safety as a crucial element of development. The high performance of the Legend demanded the development of innovative new features to avoid and anticipate hazards which were developed in Honda's indoor omni-directional Crash Test Safety Facility. Adaptive Front Lighting (AFS) allows each headlight to swivel up to 20 degrees as the Legend turns, as well as Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE); the latest technology for collision shielding, are key components of the Legend. Within the cabin, dual-SRS airbags for both front seats, front side airbags and side curtain airbags provide optimum shielding for all passengers.

Encased in a sleek athletic exterior design with heightened sports car aerodynamics, the power within the Legend is clearly expressed in the bold exterior body color, while the elegant interior imparts a sense of luxurious comfort through the supple glove leather seating and lustrous wood trim.

Noise reduction technology guarantees a quiet ride through the Active Noise Control, which sends an opposite phase signal through the car's audio system to cancel out engine noise. All these elements work seamlessly to offer its occupants more comfort than ever before.

Edmunds stated: “With the launch of the Legend, Honda has proved its celebrated technical capability can produce luxury high performance vehicles as well as those for the mass market.”