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Honda should have already considered how the S660 could be kept in the market, conforming to noise regulations with methods such as adding enging-assisting motors and generators—effectively turning it into a mild hybrid—or improving the exhaust system to conform to noise regulations. However, the decision has been to cease production.
The author regularly exchanges views with employees and engineers from the Honda headquarters and Honda R&D. Based on these communications, the author thinks the greatest reason contributing to the discontinuation of S660 is the difficulty of getting engineers to remain committed to its development. Simply put, any further development would be going against their wishes.
The Legend series—the realization of level 3 self-driving cars
In apparent replacement of the S660, Honda has brought a new technology into the field.
Honda has announced that it has installed the Honda SENSING Elite system for safe driving assistance into the Legend series of executive sedans, commencing with the sale of the first 100 limited edition cars within Japan.
Among the features of Honda SENSING Elite, one feature that deserves attention is the Traffic Jam Pilot technology. It is a self-driving feature that can be engaged during a traffic jam on a highway. This feature allowed the the Legend to be recognized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as a 'level 3 self-driving vehicle' where the main bulk of driving is automated. This is the first time in the world a level 3 self-driving model has been certified.
The new Honda Legend that comes with level 3 self-driving technology
