It's no myth - the Legend lives on. Exclusive pictures in the current issue of Auto Express magazine reveal the all-new Honda that will take on the likes of BMW's 5-Series and Mercedes' E-Class. Caught on camera at the Nürburgring in Germany, the Legend was being put though its paces by UK engineers brought in to ensure the car will appeal to European tastes.

Wider and longer than an Accord, the new model will get the 3.5-litre V6 engine first seen in the Dual Note supercar concept shown at the 2001 Tokyo Motor Show. With 300bhp, 320Nm of torque and four-wheel drive, it will have the muscle to take on the most powerful of rivals. A five-speed auto gearbox will be standard, with sequential changes available via steering wheel-mounted buttons. To improve fuel economy, the engine will get Variable Cylinder Management, which shuts down three of the six cylinders when cruising.

The car will be launched in Japan in October next year, and will arrive in Britain in 2005. A hybrid version will be introduced at a later stage, using technology showcased in the Civic IMA. Chris Thorp

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/ae...y.php?id=38933