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'{{Infobox automobile |name=Acura Legend |image=[[Image:Acura Legend 1.jpg|250px|1991-1993 Acura Legend sedan]] |aka=[[Honda Legend]] and [[Daewoo Arcadia]] |manufacturer=[[Honda]] |production=1986–1995 |class=[[Mid-size]] [[luxury car]] |successor=[[Acura RL]] |assembly=[[Saitama, Saitama]], [[Japan]] |body_style=2-door [[coupe]]<br />4-door [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]] |layout=[[FF layout]] }} The '''Acura Legend''', sold as the '''Honda Legend''' outside the [[United States|U.S.]], [[Canada]], and parts of [[People's Republic of China|China]], was a [[luxury vehicle]] sold from 1986 to 1995 as both a [[sedan (car)|sedan]] and [[coupe]]. It was the first flagship sedan sold under the [[Acura]] nameplate, until being renamed in 1996 as the [[Acura RL|Acura 3.5RL]]. The 3.5RL was North American version of the (KA9) series [[Honda Legend]]. In Japan, the Legend was only offered at ''[[Honda#Japan|Honda Clio]]'' dealerships. The opportunity for Japanese manufacturers to export more expensive models had arisen with the 1980s [[Voluntary Export Restraints|voluntary export restraints]], negotiated by the Japanese government and U.S. trade representatives, restricting mainstream car sales.<ref>{{Harvnb|Dawson|2004|pp=xix, 28}}</ref> When the Legend made its appearance into the market, rival companies in Europe, Japan and North America took notice, and quickly introduced or revised current products that could be compared to it. Toyota began development in 1983 with the [[Lexus LS#First generation (UCF10)|F1]] project, the [[code name]] for a secret flagship sedan effort that became the Lexus LS, Nissan updated their premium flagship the [[Nissan President|President]] initially introduced in 1966, and in 1988 [[Lincoln (automobile)|Lincoln]] took a new approach to the venerable [[Lincoln Continental#1988–1994|Continental]] offering for the first time a front wheel drive sedan with a V6 engine. Chrysler reintroduced the [[Chrysler Imperial#1990–1993|Chrysler Imperial]] in 1990 also using a V6 powered front wheel drive sedan and an extended wheelbase, and General Motors introduced the [[GM H platform (FWD)]] and [[GM C platform]] with FWD. Audi took a fresh approach to the [[Audi 100#Audi 100, 200 & 5000 (C3, 1982–1991)|100]] and in 1994 introduced the [[Audi A6#C4 (Typ 4A, 1994–1997)|A6]], and BMW introduced the [[BMW 5 Series (E34)]] in 1988. {{tocleft}} {{clear}} ==First generation (1986–1990)== {{Infobox automobile |name=First generation |image=[[Image:1st-Acura-Legend.jpg|250px|1988 Acura Legend "LS" sedan]] |production=1986&ndash;1990 KA1-6 chassis |engine=2.5 L ''[[Honda C engine#C25A|C25A]]'' [[V6]]<br />2.7 L ''[[Honda C engine#C27A|C27A]]'' [[V6]] |transmission=5-speed [[manual transmission|manual]]<br />4-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]] |wheelbase=Sedan: {{convert|108.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Coupe: {{convert|106.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |length=1986-88 Sedan: {{convert|189.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Coupe: {{convert|188|in|mm|1|abbr=on}}<br />1989-1990 Sedan: {{convert|190.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |width=1989-1990 Sedan: {{convert|68.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1986-88 Sedan: {{convert|68.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Coupe: {{convert|68.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |height=Sedan: {{convert|54.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Coupe: {{convert|53.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |related= [[Rover 800|Rover 800-series]]<br />[[Sterling (car)|Sterling 825/827]] }} Honda introduced the model in [[Japan]] on October 22, 1985 to be their premier luxury model and in [[North America]] in 1986 as the top of the line model for its then-new [[Acura]] lineup. Sedan models came to the market first, powered by a {{Convert|151|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} 2.5&nbsp;L [[Honda C engine#C25A|C25A]] [[V6]], with coupes making their first appearance in 1987, powered by a new {{Convert|161|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} 2.7&nbsp;L [[Honda C engine#C27A|C27A]] engine. Sedans received the new engine for 1988. The Legend was the first production Honda vehicle to offer only a [[SOHC]] [[V6]] engine worldwide. The Legend was a 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. The [[Rover Company]] had a long established reputation as a luxury car in the United Kingdom and Europe, demonstrated with the [[Rover P6]], and Honda wanted to introduce a luxury car for both domestic Japanese and the United States markets. The joint development produced the Legend and the corresponding British version was the [[Rover 800|Rover 800-series]], of which only the top of the range version - the [[Sterling (car)|Sterling]] - was sold in the United States in competition with the Legend. Rover also wanted to return to the American market when they had reportedly sold only 1,500 cars in 1971, and a brief return in 1980, selling 800 Rover SD1s by offering the Sterling.<ref>http://www.aronline.co.uk/index.htm?xxstoryf.htm</ref> The Sterling name was used in France instead of the Rover name. The Legend won Car and Driver's ''Ten Best'' three years in a row and Motor Trend's ''Import Car of the Year'' for 1987. Manual-equipped models could sprint to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in under 8 seconds and reach a top speed of {{convert|135|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. Sedan models had a coefficient of drag of 0.32, while coupes were only 0.30. The combination of relatively light weight, low belt-line, responsive engine, and double-wishbone suspension made the Legend a driver's car that is still enjoyed by enthusiasts decades after the production of the first generation car stopped. [[Image:Acura Legend.jpg|thumb|left|1987 Acura Legend sedan]] When the Legend was introduced, Honda's newly established luxury car division just for the Legend was called Acura, using the advertising slogan "Precision Crafted Performance", and the Legend was offered with one factory installed option, the choice of transmission used, and one trim level. In the 1986 sales brochure, the Legend's full name used was "Legend Touring Sedan". The vehicle was virtually identical in luxury content to the Japanese market V6Zi, but was identical in size and the longer overall length of the top level V6Xi to comply with United States crash standards, using the larger 2.5 V6 engine. The [[Technics (brand)|Technics]] supplied 80W four speaker [[cassette tape]] stereo offered four user programmable equalizer settings, and was equipped with a dual diversity antenna, meaning it had a conventional extendable power antenna and an embedded antenna in the rear window. One of the novelty items was a simple volume control rocker switch and a pre-set radio station channel selector installed on the instrument binnacle within reach of the right hand; the opposite side of the instrument binnacle had a button to open, tilt or close the standard equipped glass [[moonroof]] with sun shade. The North American Legend was not offered some of the items offered in Japan, such as automatic, one touch climate control, and 100% wool cloth interior in brown. Blue interior was shared with Japan and North America, but brown was not offered in North America, and "sand gray" was offered instead. Exterior colors were matched to only one interior color choice and leather was not offered. Due to the success Honda had with the Legend, it served as an inspiration for the [[Subaru Legacy (first generation)|Subaru Legacy]] with which it shares many visual resemblances and dimensions both inside and out. There are also some appearance similarities with the 1988 [[Lincoln Continental#1988–1994|Lincoln Continental]]. [[Image:1st Acura Legend coupe -- 02-17-2010.jpg|thumb|left|Acura Legend coupe]] In 1989, the sedan received some minor tweaks, upgrading to the one-piece front headlamps already in use in Japan since the 1986 introduction, a revised front bumper, trunk lid, tail light cluster, and an upgraded double-wishbone rear suspension, with a new alloy wheel appearance. By that time all Legends came equipped with a driver airbag and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes. Other features such as power driver's seat memory for 3 positions were added. High-end LS models featured a trip computer and electronic vehicle monitoring system in the center console and a [[Bose Corporation|Bose]] sound system. It was also joined by the [[Acura Vigor]] which set the stage for the larger second generation Legend introduced October 1991. For the 1990 model year, all Legends came with body-colored side mirrors. Legend coupes had a revised body-colored front grille, new red & clear tail lights, and improved front seats. LS model coupes also received a trunk-mounted lip spoiler. All LS models featured burlwood interior trim. Production of the first generation models ended in 1990 as a second generation version became available for the 1991 model year. From the exterior, there are only superficial similarities between the Legend and its Rover 800/Sterling cousin. Both cars share the 2.5L and 2.7L Honda engine and automatic transmission. The core structure and chassis design is also common to both cars, however the Rover version has its own exterior panelwork, interior and electrical systems. The Rover was also offered with a 2.0L in-line 4-cylinder engines in tune with European tastes, however the Legend was only available with V6 power regardless of market. In Japan only, Honda installed a turbocharger with variable geometry in the Legend with the smaller 2.0 L V6, called the [[Honda Legend#"Wing Turbo" version|"Wing Turbo"]] for model year 1989. ==Second generation (1991–1995)== {{Infobox automobile |name=Second generation |image=[[Image:Acura-Legend-Coupe.jpg|250px|2nd-gen Acura Legend coupe]] |production=1991&ndash;1995 KA7/KA8 - chassis |engine=3.2 L ''[[Honda C engine#C32A|C32A]]'' [[V6]] |transmission=5-speed manual<br />4-speed automatic<br />6-speed manual |wheelbase=Coupe: {{convert|111.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Sedan: {{convert|114.6|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |length=Sedan: {{convert|194.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Coupe: {{convert|192.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |width={{convert|71.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |height=1991-92 Coupe: {{convert|53.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />Sedan: {{convert|55.1|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}<br />1993-95 Coupe: {{convert|53.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} }} [[File:1991-1996 Honda Legend sedan 02.jpg|thumb|left|Honda Legend, Australia]] Second generation units became available October 24, 1990, now using a {{Convert|200|hp|kW|-1|abbr=on}} SOHC ([[Honda C engine#C32A|C32A]]) engine mated to either a standard 5-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]] or an optional 4-speed [[Automatic transmission|automatic]]. The second generation Legend was a larger, more streamlined-looking car (drag coefficients were actually higher at 0.34 for sedans and 0.32 for coupes). The Legend offered a host of features seen on luxury cars of today including speed-sensitive steering, hands-free telephone, automatic climate control, heated leather seats, heated mirrors, 4-wheel [[Anti-lock braking system|ABS]] disc brakes, seat belt pretensioners and soft-close vacuum-operated doors (coupes only). The rear end appearance of the sedan was adopted from the first generation Legend coupe, as the first generation sedans appearance was very similar to the first generation Subaru Legacy, and Honda also wanted to visually align the appearance of both the Legend coupe and sedan to the [[Acura NSX]]. The segment the Legend originally filled was now being served by the [[Acura Vigor]] which allowed the Legend to position itself more towards the rear drive Lexus LS and the Infiniti Q45 sedans. Honda decided not to upgrade the size of the engine to a V8 because it would have upstaged the Acura NSX which has a V6 that introduced Honda's [[VTEC]] technology. For 1991 and 1992 the Legend sedan was available in Base, L, and LS trims; the coupe remained available in L and LS through its entire run. The higher-end LS cars added climate control, a power 4-way passenger seat, burled walnut interior trim, and body colored side moldings. Honda made significant upgrades for 1993, making a {{Convert|230|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} ''Type II'' version of the SOHC C32A engine standard on all coupes, along with a 6-speed manual transmission. 1993 also saw the addition of dual airbags as standard equipment all trims, the deletion of the black molding on the entry level cars, and a new wheel design with fewer spokes on the sedans (16-spoke vs. 20-spoke). [[File:2nd Acura Legend sedan -- 12-06-2011.jpg|thumb|left|Acura Legend sedan]] In 1994, all Legends received new front bumpers, a new front grille (L & LS Sedans only), revised trunk lids, and a power tilt-telescoping steering column; the word "Legend" was now spelled out in individual letters on the back. The base sedan, 4DR STD transmission, was dropped, while a new GS sedan became the new top-line variant, sporting the {{Convert|230|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} ''Type II'' engine, upgraded brakes from the coupe, sport suspension from the coupe, a body colored version of the 1991 to 1993 grille, the same standard 6-speed manual found on the coupes as well as the special 16" 5-spoke LS Coupe wheels (better known as ''GS Wheels''). Also in 1994, the LS version of the sedan lost the standard manual transmission. It was only available with an automatic transmission. Added for 1995 was a limited-production SE sedan. Essentially a Legend L with a two-tone paint scheme, pre-1993 15" 7-spoke LS Coupe wheels, "Special Edition" floor mats, and automatic transmission. The [[Japan Domestic Market]] version of the 1990 Legend (second generation) was the first vehicle offered with a {{Convert|260|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} engine and [[automotive navigation system|navigation system]], although it was not satellite-based and instead relied on a gas gyroscope. The tooling and intellectual property rights of the second generation Legend were licensed to [[Daewoo Motors]] of [[South Korea]], where a clone of the Legend sedan, called the [[Daewoo Arcadia]], was produced from 1993 to 2000. During this period, Honda also held a small stake in Daewoo Motors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/1992/10/29/hond_1.php |title=Honda-Daewoo Partnership Partnership Details |publisher=International Herald Tribune |date=October 29, 1992 |accessdate=2007-05-22 }} {{Dead link|date=November 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The ''replacement'' for the Legend sedan is sold as the [[Acura RL]] in [[North America]], although Honda continues to sell it as the Legend in most other areas of the world. ==In popular culture== *On an episode of MTV's reality show ''[[MTV Cribs|Cribs]]'', hip-hop artist [[Ludacris]] owns a 1993 Acura Legend sedan, which he calls his favorite car.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulletin/f9/ludacriss-champagne-93-sedan-pics-video-74003/ |title=Ludacris's champagne 93 sedan pics/video - The Acura Legend & Acura RL Forum |publisher=Acura-legend.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-28| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090428132936/http://www.acura-legend.com/vbulletin/f9/ludacriss-champagne-93-sedan-pics-video-74003/| archivedate= 28 April 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> *On the [[Parks and Recreation]] episode, "[[Woman of the Year (Parks and Recreation)|Woman of the Year]]" (set in 2010, 14 years after the Legend was discontinued) a character brags about his "pre-owned Acura Legend". ==See also== *[[Honda Legend]] ==References== Information added to the first generation Legend was compiled from a 1986 Japanese language Honda Legend brochure, a Japanese market Honda Legend Press Information brochure dated October 22, 1985, and a North American Acura Legend sales brochure dated 1986 by American Honda Motor Company. {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category|Acura Legend}} *[http://www.acuralegend.org The Acura Legend/RL community] A site dedicated to the Legend enthusiast without corporate interference. *[http://www.acuralegendwiki.org AcuraLegendWiki] A Wiki devoted to the Acura Legend and RL. Contains online service manuals, FAQs, DIYs, etc. *[http://www.arnach.net/service Acura Legend G1/G2 Service Manual] Online service manuals for the Legend G1 (1986–1990) and the G2 (1991–1995). {{Honda}} {{Acura}} [[Category:Acura vehicles|Legend]] [[Category:1980s automobiles]] [[Category:1990s automobiles]] [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1986]] [[Category:Coupes]] [[Category:Flagship vehicles]] [[Category:Executive cars]] [[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:Mid-size cars]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[fa:آکیورا لجند]] [[fr:Acura Legend]] [[ru:Acura Legend]] * [http://www.vipercar.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=555_556&product_id=3363 Service Oil Reset Acura Legend]'