Honda Legend test drive since 2009 sedan
The immodest charm of "Legends"
The large and powerful all -wheel drive sedan must be ripened, as before exquisite wine and Armane: enjoying the bouquet and the intricacies of taste shades primary, intoxication does not matter. In a good life situation, a simple means of transportation inevitably turns into a car, at the wheel of which you find a luxury not to deny yourself anything. You can measure measuredly, fenced off from the noise of the outsider, turning the salon into a decent concert hall. You can revel in the drive by storming the ligaments of the turns or violating speed restrictions there and where and when there is no police. In a word, you can get to the intended point in any rhythm corresponding to the current mood, and at the same time confidently and in safety, the degree of which depends entirely on your skills and rationality. Honda Legend is one of those few cars that give all these joys of a mature attitude to four wheels. Harmony of power
Legend has always been distinguished by an original and expressive appearance. This model will neither be confused in whole, nor in detail with any other. A spectacular beak under a new inclined hood has now acquired a more stylish grille of the radiator. Bumpers, xenon headlights and foglights also found a fresh look. A small spoiler appeared on the trunk lid, which reduced the lifting force on the rear axle, under it now lamps on LEDs and two chrome exhaust systems. Designers quite emphasized the sports elegance of the car, in which the shape and content are in complete harmony. You look at him and understand how he should go. You start, and agree that expectations did not deceive you.
Inside, at first glance, everything is still, except for the presence of a USB-plaque under the armrest lid, and if it does not feel the plastic, it has become softer. But by ear, the changes are felt: in the cabin now even quieter. Perhaps I would even like to hear the sound of the motor at high speeds more clearly. The point is improved sound insulation, and mainly in the emergence of an active noise reduction system (ANC). Two microphones constantly track unwanted noises in the cabin, and a certain head device creates sounds with opposite phases to suppress them. Frankly, I personally do not particularly understand how all this works. But it works! Moreover, it is quite effective, in no case preventing the sound of the Bose audio system.
It is clear that adjustments to both seats and steering columns allow you to get as well and convenient as possible. Before my eyes, the usual devices with blue backlight, on the right, the sandwich of the central console with a strip-display on top (clearly overloaded with numbers), the screen of the navigation system (Russified) and an extensive control panel of climate control and audio system. In the hands of a no less familiar chubby steering wheel with steering liners of gearboxes, if you really want to bother yourself. Everything is ergonomical, and it is comfortable. In the snow and dry
I will start a conversation about the running qualities of the updated Legend by the fact that a new engine is installed under the hood. Its volume is increased to 3.7 liters compared to the previous one. The power has grown to 295 hp, and torque to 371 nm. And this, I hasten to notice, a very tangible increase. Moreover, paired with the engine now works an advanced 5-speed automatic transmission. It is equipped with the Grande Logic system, thanks to which the machine adapts to driving style. The response time to the gas supply has significantly decreased can be said, the box reacts almost instantly. In a sports mode (if not a pity for gasoline), the automatic transmission also holds increased speeds, demonstrating the constant readiness of the car to accelerate and the ability to switch to one two gears down if necessary. In a word, there are no problems with dynamics.
The ability to go not only quickly, but aggressively sharply rebuild, effectively accelerate and slow down, elastic pendants and a very informative steering with the number of stories of the steering wheel to stops 3.04 contribute to the slope. Although, according to honor, the large business class sedan still has a rapid, but measured movement. That's when it is possible to fully assess the smoothness of the legend car maintenance mainly by the rear -wheel drive.
Then I went to one of the main advantages of Honda Legend to a unique SH-AWD drive system. I already had to talk about her on the pages of AI, but this time I managed to test it both on slippery and on a dry coating in the offseason. I must say right away that I was pleased. Let me recall briefly that approximately 70% of the torque is supplied to the rear wheels. And the highlight is that each rear wheel is equipped with an electromagnetic coupling, and under certain conditions, all these 70% can be fed to one of them. Moreover, the couplings are closed or opened very on time. They control electronics, which monitors and analyzes the mass of parameters in the course of movement, is very competently. Suffice it to say that at a critical moment, when the car led the car in a slippery turn, it can unload the rear wheels, simulating the clutch at the right moment (transition to neutral gear). I somehow froze on a free suburban road, and was ready to take off my hat in front of Japanese engineers.
Although it will be useful to recall that any system, including VSC stabilization against the laws of physics, is powerless. Therefore, in wet and slippery areas, you should still not lose your head and listen to the sensations. And in this sense, the legend is also pleasing: the machine quite allows us to feel its possibilities and predict behavior in a particular situation. You can say so: the longer you are driving Legend, the more opportunities it demonstrates, the higher the bar.
Well, on dry coverage, and on summer tires, the car is able to give just a delightful drive. At some point, even the idea of \u200b\u200bhis almost endless possibilities comes. In the sense that the driver is more frightened in the turns, which will let the all -wheel drive or motor will let down. Two words about costs
Needless to say: Honda Legend loves to eat. 11.6 liters per 100 km of run in a combined cycle of movement is a very optimistic assessment of fuel consumption. On the other hand, when moving mainly in Moscow, the consumption rarely exceeded the passport 16.3 liters indicated for the city. There was an average of about fifteen liters per hundred. And this is for a powerful all -wheel drive car, you see, quite acceptable consumption.
Finally, about prices. Now at least until May 31, Legend can be bought at a special price that is a little more than two million rubles. I don’t think that competitors of all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz E-class, BMW 5 series, Audi A6, Volvo S80 and Infiniti M35 will be much cheaper.
Oleg Osipov
Photo Honda
