Honda Details Fifth-Generation Legend Sedan

Honda Motor Co. will introduce its all-new Legend flagship sedan in Japan on Jan. 22 with a standard hybrid powertrain that features three electric motors.

The $54,000 Legend (marketed as the Acura RLX in the U.S.) uses a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engine and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to power the front wheels and two 27-kW electric motors to drive the rear wheels. A third starter-generator provides additional boost to the front wheels.

2015 Honda Legend

Honda says the combination, which it calls Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, makes 375 hp and delivers superior acceleration compared with a V-8 engine. The car is rated at nearly 40 mpg on Japan's driving cycle.

The powertrain automatically chooses among front-, rear- or all-wheel drive options to maximize efficiency. All four wheels use regenerative deceleration regardless of driving mode. The two rear motors are independently controlled and can provide positive or negative torque to each rear wheel.

The Legend rides on a chassis fitted with a new lower double-joint double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension. Agile handling and vehicle stability assist systems manage braking on a wheel-by-wheel basis.

Inside, Honda's Sensing system provides active braking, steering and acceleration assist, including the market's first pedestrian collision mitigation steering capability. Millimeter-wave radar and a monocular camera provide system sensing.