Nieuwe Legend wint al prijzen

De nieuwe Honda Legend die voorlopig nog niet beschikbaar is voor Europa is al verschillende keren bekroond voor zijn innovatieve techniek.

De Honda Legend is uitgerust met het " Super Handling All-wheel Drive System ". Dit SH-AWD is uitgeroepen tot het beste van wat nieuw ontwikkeld is in 2004 door het magazine " Popular Sience "

De nieuwe Honda Legend is wagen van het jaar in Japan en wint daar de prijs van   " Most advanced Technology award ".

De nieuwje Honda Legend wint de "Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) 2005 Technology of the Year Award."

Powertrain

1. World's first Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive System(TM) (SH-AWD(TM))
2. 3.5 liter VTEC V-6 engine
3. 300 horsepower
4. 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted F1(R)-style paddle shifters
5. LEV2-ULEV emissions system

Body/Chassis

1. 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension
2. 4-wheel disc brakes with 4-piston calipers and slotted rotors
3. 20-inch alloy wheels with 255/35R20 Michelin high performance tires
4. Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), which features low beams that swivel based on steering wheel input for increased illumination
5. Aluminum and high tensile steel construction

Interior

1. AcuraLink(TM) Satellite-Based Communication System
2. Leather - trimmed interior
3. Genuine wood trim
4. Acura/Bose(R) DVD-Audio system
5. HandsFreeLink' wireless telephone interface
6. XM(R) Satellite Radio
7. OnStar(R) service
8. Acura Keyless Access System(TM)

Safety

1. Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure
2. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA(R))
3. Front, side and side curtain air bag systems

Dimensions

1. Length - 193.5 inches, 4915mm
2. Width - 72.6 inches, 1845 mm
3. Height - 57.1 inches, 1450 mm
4. Wheelbase - 110.2 inches, 2800 mm

 

Meer info:

New York 04/07/2004 -- The Acura Prototype RL luxury performance sedan made its world debut today at the New York International Auto Show. With a 300 horsepower VTEC V-6 engine, a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system, dynamic styling and breakthrough technology, including real time traffic information, the RL Prototype is designed to redefine the luxury performance sedan category. The RL Prototype provides a preview of the direction in which Acura is taking the all-new 2005 RL luxury performance sedan, which will be introduced this fall.

"The RL Prototype really makes a statement about Acura's focus on performance," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president, sales. "When you combine the high output engine, the sport tuned chassis and Acura's revolutionary all-wheel-drive system, you get a driving experience that other cars in its class just cannot match."

The Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive System' (SH-AWD') is the first and only all-wheel-drive platform that distributes the optimum amount of torque not only between the front and rear wheels but also between the left and right rear wheels. During straight line cruising and moderate cornering, up to 70 percent of torque is at the front wheels. During full throttle acceleration or spirited driving, up to 70 percent of available torque goes to the rear wheels for increased acceleration and enhanced cornering. In addition to varying the torque front to rear, SH-AWD varies the amount of torque to the left and right rear wheels. When cornering, this ground-breaking technology overdrives the outer rear wheel, sending up to 100 percent of rear torque to that wheel to dramatically enhance the RL's cornering, steering feel, handling and stability. The result is class-leading cornering performance and cornering stability as well as enhanced traction on dry or wet surfaces.

The RL Prototype's 3.5-liter, 24-valve, all-aluminum VTEC engine generates 300 horsepower and meets LEV2-ULEV emissions standards. It is mated to a 5-speed Sequential SportShift automatic transmission that enables gears to be shifted using the shift lever on the center console or with the F1"-type paddle shifters located on the steering wheel.

To further complement the high output engine and all-wheel-drive system, Acura gave the RL Prototype a highly rigid unit body that is lightweight due in large part to aluminum construction of the sub frame, suspension, hood, trunk, and front fenders.

The RL Prototype is the first Acura equipped with the Advanced Compatibility Engineering' (ACE') body structure, designed to enhance passenger safety. ACE uses a new frame structure that helps to disperse collision forces over a larger frontal area than in non ACE-equipped vehicles. The system helps deliver even better protection for vehicle occupants while at the same time reducing aggressivity toward other vehicles in a frontal collision.

The RL Prototype's lightweight chassis and 4-wheel independent suspension components are tuned to complement the SH-AWD system and deliver a linear cornering feel, optimum cornering traction and a smooth ride. The 20-inch alloy wheels are shod with 255/35R20 Michelin high performance tires that fill the wheel wells and add to the RL Prototype's aggressive stance. Large brakes with 4-piston brake calipers and slotted rotors provide optimum stopping power.

The RL's sleek exterior styling reflects the power under the hood. It is shorter, and wider than the current RL with a wide, muscular stance, yet offers more passenger volume than the current model. In front, a dramatically sloping hood leads down to an aggressive front fascia with angular headlight treatments, a signature Acura five-sided grill and distinctive lower air intake openings. A sleek cockpit, a forward sloping beltline and a short deck lid accent the RL Prototype's pronounced wedge shape, making it look fast from any angle.

The RL Prototype features the Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) for increased illumination and visibility. The low beams swivel up to 20 degrees in either direction in response to vehicle speed and input from the steering wheel. During straight-line driving the headlights perform like conventional systems by illuminating the road directly in front of the vehicle. When entering a curve, they swivel according to steering input and vehicle speed sensors to illuminate a larger area of road surface throughout the corner, thus minimizing blind spots.

Inside, the RL Prototype is as luxurious as it is sporty. The interior features rich leather, genuine wood trim, an assortment of leading-edge technology and, for the first time in a North American vehicle, standard real time traffic information integrated into a new in-car satellite-based navigation system featuring AcuraLink'. Utilizing the XM NavTraffic service beamed from XM's satellites, the RL Prototype's 8-inch navigation screen can display a variety of up-to-the-minute traffic information where available including flow (traffic speed), accidents, and construction on freeways in 20 major metro areas including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. Flow and accident information are updated continuously, allowing drivers to take the least congested route to their destination.

In addition to enabling the real time traffic feature, the AcuraLink Satellite-Based Communication System allows for communication between Acura and the vehicle, providing customers with the latest diagnostic information specific to their vehicle as well as vehicle-related messages. Because it is linked to the car's HandsFreeLink' wireless telephone interface, drivers can respond to messages or one-touch-dial Acura dealers and Acura Roadside Assistance (TLC) using their Bluetooth phone.

The RL Prototype also features a premium 10-speaker Acura/Bose(R) DVD-Audio system, tuned to deliver surround sound to all seating positions.

The RL Prototype is the first vehicle equipped with the Acura Keyless Access System', which allows owners to lock and unlock doors, open the trunk, and start the car without using a key.

The RL Prototype incorporates an assortment of the latest safety systems and devices including a full complement of front, side and side curtain air bags, as well as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA').

Crash Compatibility Body Designed For Greater Safety in Collisions Between Vehicles of Differing Size, Weight and Structural Design

New York 04/07/2004 -- The Acura RL Prototype, which debuted today at the New York International Auto Show features the innovative Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) Body Structure. This unique new design enhances protection of occupants during a frontal collision, while reducing aggressivity to other vehicles. The ACE structure will make its Acura debut on the 2005 RL luxury performance sedan, which will be introduced this fall.

The ACE body structure takes vehicle front frame construction beyond conventional safety protocols -- such as the NHTSA NCAP 30 mph frontal barrier test or the IIHS 40 mph off-set frontal crash -- to deliver significantly enhanced occupant protection in a variety of real-world crash conditions, especially those involving a frontal collision between vehicles of differing heights, weights and frame construction.

The ACE structure uses the engine compartment to efficiently absorb and disperse collision energy during a vehicle-to-vehicle collision. It features a new frame structure composed of a highly efficient energy-absorbing main frame, a bulkhead (upper frame) which absorbs the upper part of the collision energy, and a lower member that helps prevent misalignment of the frames of the vehicles involved. This design disperses collision forces over a larger frontal area, which enhances energy absorption of the engine compartment, reduces the chance of deformation of the passenger compartment and results in enhanced occupant protection. At the same time, by reducing the chance of vertical or lateral misalignment between the RL and other vehicle's safety structures, ACE reduces the RL's aggressivity toward other vehicles during a frontal collision.

During a frontal collision, a conventional body structure generally concentrates the loads from the impact through two pathways running longitudinally through the lower portion of the frame. The ACE structure's front-mounted polygonal main frame is designed to prevent cabin deformation by distributing forces through multiple major load bearing pathways - and away from the passenger compartment.

The ACE body structure is a crucial new component of Acura's ongoing commitment to the concept of Safety For Everyone, which seeks to provide high levels of occupant protection for all Acura vehicles as well as reduced aggressivity toward other vehicles and increased safety for pedestrians.

In addition to the application of the ACE body structure, Acura will implement the following safety technology:

All Acura vehicles will feature Front Side Airbags and Side Curtain Airbags as standard equipment before the end of calendar year 2006. Acura will further expand the use of technologies to reduce injuries to pedestrians including specially designed hood structures, front frame construction and breakaway wiper pivots.


 

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