Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot

Honda has got to be happy that it has a hot selling compact car to take some of the pain out of the slowing minivan and SUV markets. Hurt by the sky-high price of gasoline, both the Odyssey and Pilot, both recently redesigned, are sitting on dealers lots longer than Honda would like. In order to match production with consumer demand, Honda will close its plant in Lincoln, Alabama for two days next month and cut second shift production at the plant every Friday in August through October. Displaced workers can choose to take either unpaid time off or use paid vacation leave. Some of that unused capacity will be taken up by the Ridgeline, which will now be assembled at the Lincoln plant instead of in Ontario where it is currently being built.

The Civic, on the other hand, will see its production boosted at the East Liberty, Ohio plant and in Alliston, Ontario, where capacity will be available due to the Ridgeline's departure. Score another point for Honda's modular manufacturing techniques.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Surprise! Honda's controversially styled Ridgeline truck is about to get the Pilot's controversial snout. First released for the '06 model year, the unibody truck has not seen any real changes to this point and it's high time for a mid-cycle model refresh. Considering that the Pilot and Ridgeline share plenty in common, it's no shocker that Honda would share styling cues between the two vehicles. Also included in the refresh are some oddly-placed dual front foglights, new tail lights and redesigned bumpers front and rear. Not much seems updated in its profile, but some new 18-inch rims have a nice, chunky look to them.

So far, nobody at Honda is talking regarding powertrain updates for the Ridgeline. As we've reported in the past, though, a new diesel V6 engine of undertermined displacement seems very possible for both the Ridgeline and Pilot. With gas prices continuing to rise, Honda's Ridgeline may continue to be a popular option for those who use their trucks only for occasional hauling or towing and don't mind being seen in one ugly mutha trucka.

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot

After reading what Honda R&D Americas Inc. Chief Designer Dave Marek has to say regarding the 2009 redesign of the popular Honda Pilot CUV, we sense that he might not think of the boxy model as his team's best work. We've heard our fair share of comments regarding the new Pilot's design, many of which are less than flattering. It seems as if Marek has heard the same detractors, and he explains away some of the more controversial elements, such as the floating front grille. Marek says of the grille, "[it] was a case of taking something that was on something else... and kind of massaging it to fit. On the mockup, [it] looks good. When you actually manufacture it, oops! That's actually what happened. It's hard to foresee." He follows that statement with, "I think when (the '09) is out on the road, people will appreciate it." Reading between the lines, it sounds like this may be a design of which he's not particularly proud. Thanks for the tip, Robert!


[Source: Wards Auto]

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot

After getting a short stint behind the wheel of the newly redesigned 2009 Honda Pilot, we declared it a pretty thorough improvement over its predecessor. Regardless of how you think it looks, the newest crossover from Honda is a pretty darn good vehicle. So, we're rather happy to report that Honda saw fit to hold the line on pricing compared to its previous-generation 2008 Pilot. Starting at $27,595, plus destination and handling, the base model Pilot for '09 starts off at exactly the same point of entry as the 2008 edition. Next up is the Pilot EX at $30,395, while the leather-equipped Pilot EX-L will run you $33,595. At the top, the new Pilot Touring edition, which includes standard navigation, starts at $36,795. Four-wheel-drive adds $1,600 to the price of any trim and takes a small bite out of EPA fuel economy with the Pilot coming in at 17/23 (19 combined) miles per gallon on two-wheel-drive models and 16/22 (18 combined) miles per gallon on four-wheel-drive models.


[Source: Honda]

click above to view more high-res pics of the Honda Pilot Prototype

We were there when Honda trotted out its Pilot Prototype in Detroit, and our snoozy first impression is apparently what the public at large is feeling, too. Sales of the current Pilot have dropped off by nearly 25 percent, so Honda's feeling the pressure with this redesign. It doesn't bode well, then, that the Pilot's new duds leave the buying public unmoved. CNW Research polled several hundred drivers from LA, Chicago and Detroit, and many respondents found the 2009 Pilot a yawn to behold. Nothing about the newly-squared off exterior struck a chord, which is unusual for a new design. Usually, something distinctive garners attention, but the exterior design only earned a 7.5 point score on CNW's 12-point scale, off at least a point and a half from what most new vehicles do. We found the Pilot's freshening a little boring, but mainly the headlights leave us very unnerved, like trying to stare down a bird of prey.

[Source: Inside Line]

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]

Click rendering to enlarge

Honda's big debut at the Detroit Auto Show will be the prototype version of the next-generation Pilot SUV. As was the case with the Accord Coupe Concept shown a year ago, expect to see a very thinly disguised version of the production vehicle. From the rendering above, it looks like Honda's embracing a more Jeep-y, rugged look for its sport ute, which gets new interior packaging and capacity for eight passengers as well. Joining the Pilot proto will be the automaker's L.A. show darlings, the FCX Clarity and CR-Z hybrid concept.

[Source: Honda]

Edmund's Inside Line has posted a clear photo of a disguised 2009 Honda Pilot. We haven't heard much about this new Honda CUV, besides rumors that it might carry the company's new 3.5-liter V6 diesel. That won't stop us from speculating, however.

Just like with the new Acura MDX, the Pilot will likely grow in size and get a new look. Expect more towing and cargo-hauling capability, especially if that diesel V6 is offered. The photo doesn't give us a lot of information to work with, although we can definitely see a new grille hiding behind some cover. Click over and check out the full size pic for yourselves.

[Source: Edmund's Straightline]