Detroit 2008: Next-gen Honda Pilot Prototype appears
by Frank Filipponio on Jan 13th 2008 at 4:39PM 
click above image to view more high-res images of the Honda Pilot Prototype
Honda's big debut today was its next-gen Honda Pilot. While we've already shown you the concept sketch, we saw the real thing today. Although still labeled a prototype, it's not hard to see the next-generation Pilot SUV under that prototypified skin. Just like we saw when they showed us the Accord Coupe "Concept" last year, we expect the production Pilot vehicle to look very similar to this.
The next-gen Pilot will feature Honda's ACE Advanced Compatibility Engineering safety technology and VCM cylinder deactivation management system that's also available on the Accord V6. The Variable Cylinder Managaement system allows this V6 to run on 6, 4 or 3 cylinders depending on the need. The new Pilot also sports better interior packaging with seating for up to eight passengers, as well. Overall, we find the exterior design inoffensive and bland, except for those headlights that seem to follow us around the room. Seriously Honda, you're scaring the kids.
[Source: Honda]
Gallery: 2008 Detroit: Honda Pilot Prototype
PRESS RELEASE:
Next-Generation Honda Pilot Balances Ideal Combination of SUV Strengths and On-road Refinement
Bolder styling and more accommodating interior highlight changes to 2009 Pilot
A prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot is being unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The prototype conveys design features of the more boldly-styled 2009 Pilot, set to debut in spring 2008, which emphasizes authentic SUV styling, clever and more accommodating interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience.
"The Pilot's pioneering formula improves for 2009 by enhancing its combination of refinement and efficiency with even more traditional SUV strengths," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "A powerful exterior design communicates strength and allows for more space inside."
Functional eight-passenger seating, a hallmark of the Pilot, becomes even easier to access in the third row as key dimensions for legroom, cargo and occupant space increase in all seating positions. A redesigned platform allows even more refined handling and ride comfort to exist seamlessly with all-weather and medium-duty off-road capabilities.
To further enhance safety, the Pilot will feature the Honda-exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE®) body structure and the most extensive use of high-strength steel in any Honda product to date.
The ACE body structure enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. A pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle is designed to help absorb energy in the event of a collision.
A crossover SUV platform underpins the Pilot to provide the best of the car and truck worlds by integrating the refined traits and packaging advantages of a unit body car design with the utility and capability of an SUV design. A V-6 engine introduces the latest generation of Honda fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM®) technology that operates in 6-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3-cylinder modes for efficiency, an improvement compared to the existing Pilot's available VCM system that works exclusively in 6- and 3-cylinder modes.
Three rows of seats provide a high degree of adaptability for people and large cargo loads. The first row provides a commanding view of the road from two captains' chairs. A wide center stack and center console form the styling anchor for the interior with a design that emphasizes spaciousness and power, while allowing for convenient access to navigation, entertainment and climate-control systems.
The 60/40 split second row, now more spacious, slides further forward for increased ease of access to the third row. The 60/40 split third row, now supplies enough knee room for an above-average-sized adult male to fit comfortably, making the Pilot's third row among the most practical in the industry. Each side of the second and third row independently folds down for cargo. A flat floor is created when the second and third rows are folded down.
The Pilot originally debuted as a 2003 model in July of 2002. Design and development of the 2003 Pilot and the 2009 Pilot were carried out at Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio, and Torrance, California. The Pilot is assembled* at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln.
Among its numerous accolades, the Honda Pilot has earned Car and Driver Magazine's prestigious "5Best Truck" award on six consecutive occasions (2002-2007). The current-generation 2008 Pilot is also among an elite group of vehicles to receive both a "Top Safety Pick 2008" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a 5-star crash safety rating for frontal and side collisions from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)**.
* Honda products are produced using domestic and globally-sourced parts.
** Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov. Model tested with standard side-impact airbags.)
Additional consumer information is available at 2009-prototype-Pilot.honda.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
pp 12:27PM (2/08/2008)
We love our Pilot. The shifter on the console means more places for cell phones and stuff.
The new design looks fine -- I'm more concerned that they don't seem to be going for a hybrid. This will push us to the highlander I think....
Why isn't honda doing a pilot hybrid?
pp
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Seth 4:41PM (1/13/2008)
I've never seen such an ugly concept.
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VP 4:45PM (1/13/2008)
I would agree with you under any other circumstances, but the BMW X6 in the previous post takes the top position concept or not. This is a close second.
cowboy bob 4:47PM (1/13/2008)
makes a 300 pounder look better even befor midnight.
SOhp101 6:06PM (1/13/2008)
Wow that front is ugly. The X6 looks way better.
Carlos 11:41PM (1/13/2008)
I know its scary for some people but this is a concept - they are suppose to be trying new things. IMO I think this is great - its pushing headlight design to the next level.
Remember its just a concept - appreciate the imagination that went into it
Luis 2:06PM (1/14/2008)
I agree. I don't care how many improvements you introduce, if it's not a handsome package, the improvements get over-shadowed.
Austin 4:53PM (1/13/2008)
it looks like the current one from the side
Explorer America>Pilot
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HAWC1506 4:58PM (1/13/2008)
Joint effort by Ford and Honda to recreate the Jeep Patriot.
Conor 4:58PM (1/13/2008)
It's almost the same design. And that front is absolutely TERRIBLE. I've honestly never seen a worse schnoz for a car. It's just really ugly. I know several people who own pilots and love them, but this one will definitely make Honda lose sales.
Conor 4:59PM (1/13/2008)
And why's the V12 R8 video in this post?
Ramsy 4:58PM (1/13/2008)
i HATE the gear shrfter on the dash! It makes it look like a mini-van. Just put it in the in the middle by the console. The rear looks to jeepish. I hope they keep the blinkers on the mirrors though.
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RT 6:21PM (1/13/2008)
Isn't this basically a minivan?
dpb! 5:00PM (1/13/2008)
My gosh. Are you you people just refreshing autoblog and doesn't matter what the next car is you have to bring up stuff you hate about it? Jeez!
PS: Not to be hypocritial can critisizing but Frank looks like you attached the video for the R8 on this post!
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M 5:09PM (1/13/2008)
I agree! The place is infested with whiners. Even if they were shown a pile of $100 bills they'd still find something about it where they would complain.
Automakers are starting to walk away from bland more and more again. I love it. This new Honda Pilot is a good example of this. But a lot of people here can't let go of their beloved vanilla styled cars.
Egon 5:19PM (1/13/2008)
There's a huge difference between "Hey, look at that!" and "Ewww, look at that!". If you can't make that distinction, then you just might be the sort of customer that Honda is looking for with the new Pilot.
BTW, whiners aside, vanilla's still the best-seller...by far.
M 8:44PM (1/13/2008)
But...!! It would be nice if vanilla was very hard to find. If there were 331 choices of quirkily styled vehicles for everyone to choose, it would be plenty for satisfy the wants from everybody. I would like to see our roads flooded with unique styling, rather than being flooded with "generic A-B same thing as usual" vehicles.
Egon 11:51PM (1/13/2008)
Fair enough...and well stated. Unique design is fine and there are many well executed examples that have made it to market. But this Pilot is unique mainly by way of face that not even its mother could love. Yes, yes, I know; that's totally subjective. But when my first thought is "No sale. Not in my garage!", there's no amount of content that's going to overcome that initial impression.
Aetius 5:00PM (1/13/2008)
LOL. Is this a joke? It's the same thing with a blingy grille and overdone and tasteless headlights. Nice job, Honda!
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Michael 5:11PM (1/13/2008)
I thought a big part of subaru was purchased by toyota not honda? Look at the front it looks like a forester. And the back end looks like a pathfinder. I hope they come out with this, I sell Toyotas :P.
I agree the shifter gives the interior a minivan feel. I also reminds me of the elements interior.
This will make the Highlander too easy to sell now.
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