Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that the world’s first Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system in its new Legend has won the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC) 2005 Technology of the Year Award.

The SH-AWD system, combines front-rear torque distribution control with independently regulated torque distribution to the left and right rear wheels to freely distribute the optimum torque to all four wheels in accordance with driving conditions. Front-rear torque distribution varies between ratios of 30:70 and 70:30, and lateral torque distribution in the rear wheels varies between ratios of 100:0 and 0:100. Torque is used not only for propulsion, but for cornering as well, resulting in a significant enhancement in vehicle maneuverability. The system’s torque control logic operates primarily on active feed-forward control based on driver output. This is combined with feedback control based on vehicle behavior to achieve highly precise control that respects the driver’s intent.

The new Legend also recently received the Japan Car of the Year Award 2004-2005 and Most Advanced Technology Award conferred by the Japan Car of the Year Executive Committee.