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Honda Legend I (HS,KA) 2.7 i 24V (KA4) (169 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Honda Legend:
The Honda Legend is a series of V6-engined executive cars that was produced by Honda between 1985 and 2021, and served as its flagship vehicle. The Legend has also been sold under the Acura Legend, RL and RLX nameplates — the successive flagship vehicles of Honda's luxury Acura division in North America from 1986 until 2020.
The first-generation Legend, introduced to Japan on October 22, 1985, was the first production Honda vehicle to offer only a SOHC V6 engine worldwide. The introduction of the Legend also coincided with the launch of a new dealership sales channel in Japan, called Honda Clio. The Legend was the 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, and was codenamed as HX. The Rover Company had a long-established reputation as a luxury car maker in the United Kingdom and Europe, demonstrated by the Rover P5 and Rover P6, and Honda wanted to introduce a luxury car for the Japanese, European and North American markets. Rover also wanted to return to the American market when previously they had reportedly sold only 1,500 cars in 1971, and a brief return in 1980, selling 800 Rover SD1s by offering the Sterling which was also a result of the ARG-Honda partnership. The development work was carried out at Rover's Canley, Coventry plant and Honda's Tochigi Prefecture development centre. Design work concluded on the Legend in 1982, with a design patent being filed on September 27, 1982, at the Japan Patent Office under application number 1982-043493 and registered on September 19, 1984, under patent number 0640105....(Read more on Wikipedia)
I (HS,KA) Overview:
Honda Legend (I (HS,KA)). With 225 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1405 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 9.4 s). The top speed reaches 207 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
2.7 i 24V (KA4) (169 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Offers smooth and refined power delivery, though the automatic transmission makes it less sprightly than manual variants, focusing on comfort over outright speed.
Fuel Economy
Expect moderate fuel consumption, typical for a larger displacement V6 with an automatic gearbox from this period, prioritizing smoothness.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Smooth and refined V6 engines
- • Comfortable and spacious interior
- • Reputable Honda reliability
- • Advanced DOHC valvetrain for its era
- • Good performance for a luxury sedan of its time
Cons:
- • Fuel economy is poor by modern standards
- • Front-wheel drive might not appeal to all luxury buyers
- • Lacks modern safety features and crash test ratings
- • Parts availability can be challenging for an older model
- • Styling may be considered dated by contemporary standards
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(I (HS,KA): 1987 - 1988).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Honda |
| Model: | Legend |
| Generation: | I (HS,KA) |
| Modification (Engine): | 2.7 i 24V (KA4) (169 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | 1988 |
| End of production: | 1990 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 169 Hp @ 5900 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 63.2 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 225 Nm @ 4500 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 2675 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 4 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | DOHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 87 mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 75 mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - urban: | 14 l/100 km |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban: | 9.1 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 9.4 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 9.4 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 207 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 8.3 kg/Hp, 120.3 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 6.2 kg/Nm, 160.1 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 8.9 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1405 |
| Max. weight: | 1850 |
| Max. roof load: | 70 kg |
| Max load: | 445 |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 1500 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 68 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 500 kg |
| Permitted towbar download: | 70 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4810 mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1735 mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1390 mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2760 mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1490 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1450 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Tires size | Front wheel tires: 205/65 R15 |
| Wheel rims size | Front wheel rims: 6J x 15 |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
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