A bit of name and badge switching here. Don’t be surprised if this is the first time for young US car enthusiasts to might have heard of the “Honda Legend.” Well, for those stateside, it’s just the Acura RL. Yup, the RL has been the Legend elsewhere, particularly in Europe.

Power figures are just the same since it sports the same 3.7L v6 that dishes out 300 horses and 271 lb-ft of torque mated to a 5-speed transmission complete with the new SH-AWD system found in the Acura RL and the TL. Performance figures: 0 to 62 mph in 7.1 seconds.

So what’s different aside from the badge? Well, amazingly the Legend has taken off the Acura grille and now has a straightforward three-line grille slapped on. And I might have to agree with other takes that this looks better than what the Acura has.

In addition, one of the features Honda is just so proud of in their press release is the Active Noise Cancellation system that promises that the Legend will be a quiet ride and makes it play well with the other comforts include a Bose Audio system, Bluetooth and USB connectivity for audiophiles.

Source: Honda

So far, the only pictures we’ve been seeing of the new upcoming Acura/Honda NSX are those camouflaged ones with the zebra streaks running around the Nurburgring. Thanks to some generous people and the Internet, we can now see at some renderings of how the NSX would look like sans the camo.

Sad to say, the NSX, while not ugly, isn’t look too hot at all. At a supposed $160,000 price tag, it doesn’t even become a better choice for those who are simply looking for a great looking supercar. For that kind of money, you can get a more handsome Aston Martin Vanquish or a Maserati GranTurismo.

Well, you have to blame engineering for the design, though, since the whole rear is designed to act like one huge rear wing to create massive downforce to keep the car on the ground. With a large 5.5L V10 generating 600 horses, the downforce really better be massive.

For the price tag, it better pack a lot of wallop. Buck per bang, the Nissan GT-R still seems to be the best value for money. Not even the Lexus LF-A seems to miles better too.

Source: Inside Line

Fellow Japanese automakers really have Nissan’s number now. While the Lexus LF-A is still back at the drawing boards under Toyota engineers’ review, Honda is intent on re-grabbing the title of the “proper” Japanese supercar title from the GT-R with the comeback of the Acura/NSX.

Latest development – it’s getting more horses. 50 more than the previously reported 500 hp. Power will come from 5.5L V10 engine equipped with Honda’s cylinder deactivation system dubbed as Variable Cylinder Management. For you geeks out there, the system allows the engine to run on one bank of cylinders during low-load conditions. Too technical? Well the bottom line is that it bumps the power rating up.

With weight also considered, the NSX’ 3,300 lb frame would give it a better power-to-weight ratio. That, combined with Honda’s AWD system and aerodynamics, might be enough to beat the GT-R fair and square.

While this hellbent campaign of beating the GT-R surely forces Honda to pack much more meat and brains on the NSX, all they’re doing is pushing the price up. Sure may undoubtedly outperform the GT-R and be the better pound-for-pound Japanese supercar. But there’s that pricing appeal of the GT-R that’s surely hard to beat. The NSX is pegged to be sold at around $150,000.

Source and Photo Credit: Leftlane

It’s a civil war in Japan with this race of developing a Nissan GT-R killer. No doubt about it that the Nissan GT-R is the second coming of the great Japanese supercar. Toyota, being the world’s king of cars, would definitely want the Lexus LF-A to be that supercar and Honda, would want to preserve that title since it was the Honda/Acura NSX that established the bar for Japanese supercars.

While Toyota has went back to the drawing boards to ensure that the LF-A will not fall short of what the GT-R has to offer, Honda has also made it a mission to beat the GT-R in performance with the new 2010 NSX starting with the 7:29 laptime posted by the GT-R around the Nurburgring.

And with this heavily covered NSX, they’re getting there, posting a lap time of 7:37.

2010 Honda NSX replacement at the Nürburgring Nordschleife from MrBTG on Vimeo.

Chicago is buzzing with all the cars featured in the Chicago Motor Show. Even with a few unveilings, it’s quite interesting to take a look at what new things these people have to offer. Like Honda for example, unveiling the new 2009 Acura RL.

While you might say that the RL is just a redesigned MDX, this car gets a sleek-aggressive exterior. And oh, you also get some shades of the 2008 Accord with the fascia which does hurt its sportiness factor. But that doesn’t mean that the Acura has sedan-ish performance.

It gets a 3.7L V6 under the hood that propels the car with 300hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The engine’s mated to a new Sequential SportShift 5-speed auto tranny. These, combined with an upgraded Super Handling All-wheel Drive makes the RL a better performing car. Honda also three in some flappy-paddle shifters to give it a more sporty feel.

If you want one, you will have to wait until the snow clears as the 2009 Acura RL will hit dealerships this spring.