Stronger performance from restyled Legend

 It would be easy to dismiss Honda's flagship passenger car as the stuff of, well, Legend. You don't see many of them around and punters could be confused for thinking that they're a figment of the imagination.

That's not to say they're not good cars, and Honda is building on the Legend's reputation for polish and solidity with a facelifted model powered by a larger displacement engine (up from 3.5 to 3.7 litres).

Visually, the upgraded Legend is looking more closely aligned with the V6 Accord and can be identified by a revised front bumper sitting below bi-xenon headlights, the chrome pentagonal grille with three horizontal bars and the newly-adopted aluminium bonnet, which saves weight. The alloy wheels are a new design, measuring 18-inch diameter and fitted with 245/45 R18 tyres. At the rear, the boot lid is new and integrates a spoiler. In addition, the tail lights, rear bumper and exhaust outlets have been restyled.

According to Honda, the larger engine brings with it an increase in power and torque, with the torque delivering more at lower engine speeds -- which is where you want it in a large prestige car.

For the old car, maximum torque was 351Nm at 5000rpm. With the 3.7-litre V6, the new car develops 370Nm, also at 5000rpm. In addition to higher peak torque generally, Honda is also claiming the new engine develops more torque at lower engine speeds.

It's a similar situation in respect of power. The old 3.5-litre V6 developed 217kW at 6200rpm, but the 3.7-litre unit develops 226kW at 6300rpm. An undersquare engine, the 3.5-litre V6's bore and stroke measured 89x93mm and the new engine has been slightly bored and further stroked to yield dimensions of 90x96mm. That can only help low speed torque.

A new VTEC valvetrain for the 3.7-litre powerplant -- along with other changes -- allows the new engine to run leaner, with the fuel consumption in combined-cycle testing dropping from 11.8L/100km for the less powerful 3.5-litre V6 to 11.3L/100km for the 3.7.

Honda has revised the five-speed automatic that transfers the torque from the engine to the road, with paddle shift sequential technology that works in sports and normal modes.

With the new wheel and tyre combination, Honda has also revised the spring and damper settings for what Honda describes as "refined ride quality".

Inside, the Legend is quieter, following the introduction of an 'acoustic windscreen' with a film of butul alcohol in the laminate. Other NVH countermeasures include additional insulation and Honda's Active Noise Cancellation system, which counteracts road noise with transmitted sound.

For the comfort of front-seat occupants, the Legend now comes equipped with 10-way power adjustment for both front seats and the controls for the climate control HVAC system have been revised. The redesigned steering wheel and the gear selector are trimmed in a new, supple leather and the gauges are now finished in brushed metal. As standard, the Legend features a 10-speaker BOSE audio system and satellite navigation system.

Honda has priced the upgraded Legend at $77,500 and the car officially goes on sale from September 1.

And there's no truth to the rumour that it will be joined by an even more prestigious model, the Honda Apocrypha.

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