1991 Acura Legend Coupe

The original Legend Sedan was introduced in 1986,the Coupe in 1987.Addition of the Coupe turned the Acura Legend into a series with a clear choice of accents: roomy and luxurious (Sedan), or sporty and elegant (Coupe). This time too, as the second generation Legend succeeds the first, the Coupe's introduction will follow that of the Sedan. The choice between the two will be essentially as before, though with differences in nuance:

The Coupe body shares no exterior panels with that of the Sedan, although their identities are clearly linked. This is particularly true at the front, where the new Legend grille shape and headlight layout are shared by both models. Many details, however, contribute to the Coupe's sportier look The grille is in body color and, because it is less nearly vertical than that of the Sedan, lends a more aggressive frontal aspect. The side body crease is higher, accenting the wheels and tires more strongly; specially designed side mirrors mount to the door sheet metal instead of the side windows' leading corners. The Coupe's rear window is more rakishly angled, and its rear end is abbreviated with a slightly concave tail section.

Inside, the instrument panel design is the same for both models; burled walnut trims the center console and doors of the Coupe IS as it does in the Sedan LS. The Coupe's front seats are sportily contoured, with more prominent side bolsters framing both the cushion and the backrest. A leather-trimmed interior is standard in the Coupe LS, optional in the L; these are the two Coupe equipment levels, in contrast to the Sedan's three (base, L, LS).

As in the Sedan, there is a driver's side airbag Supplemental Restraint System in the coupe. The LS model also incorporates the new Legend front passenger large-volume airbag concept The Coupe's restraint system also features pre-tensioners for the front seatbelts which employ pyrotechnically generated force to tighten them in a frontal impact. The power source is a gas generator, ignited electrically upon a signal from the system's own sensor. In a 30 mph barrier impact, for instance, the sensor begins deployment of the pre-tensioners at 15milliseconds, and the belts are fully locked in their tensioned positions at 21 ms. Since occupants
do not begin to move forward in their seats until 30 ms, this means positive restraint during the critical phase of an impact.

Acting on the three-point seatbelts through the shoulder portion (but independently of the belt reels), the pre tensioners effectively reduce belt stretch by pulling the belts in almost 2 in. (50mm). Once the tensioning has taken place, the belt is clamped with mechanical teeth, held securely in its final position. The system's sensor circuitry includes a diagnostic function to detect any deviation from normal operation.

In most other aspects of its engineering, the Coupe is virtually identical to the Sedan. A notable exception is the Coupe's suspension tunning which incorporates slightly firmer front damping settings and a larger front stabilizer bar. The new Legend Coupe will go on sale in spring 1991.