Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Review: 2009 Honda Pilot Touring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-honda-pilot-touring/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-honda-pilot-touring/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-honda-pilot-touring/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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

My family has fallen in love with Bruno. Yes, we named it. Clearly, the Honda Pilot has left an impression. Size is the first thing you notice, solidity the second - there's not a whiff of the gelatin-jiggles that afflict most of this CUV's body-on-frame competitors. The Pilot is also loaded up with thoughtful, family-friendly touches everywhere you look. It's big, accommodating, and solid. What else? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: In The Autoblog Garage - 2009 Honda Pilot Touring


Photos Copyright (C)2009 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 Honda Pilot Touring

Review: 2009 Honda Pilot Touring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Honda Pilot2009 Honda Pilot Touring2009HondaPilot2009HondaPilotTouringfeaturedHondaHonda PilotHondaPilotin the autoblog garageInTheAutoblogGaragePilotreviewreviewsThu, 29 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2010 Honda Ridgeline gets Pilot schnoz]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/spy-shots-2010-honda-ridgeline-gets-pilot-schnoz/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/spy-shots-2010-honda-ridgeline-gets-pilot-schnoz/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/23/spy-shots-2010-honda-ridgeline-gets-pilot-schnoz/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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]

Spy Shots: 2010 Honda Ridgeline gets Pilot schnoz originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 ridgeline2010Ridgelinehonda pilothonda ridgelineHondaPilotHondaRidgelinepilotridgelineridgeline spy shotRidgelineSpyShotMon, 23 Jun 2008 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda shuffles production so it can make more Civics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/honda-shuffles-production-so-it-can-make-more-civics/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/honda-shuffles-production-so-it-can-make-more-civics/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/29/honda-shuffles-production-so-it-can-make-more-civics/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

As domestic automobile manufacturers cut production and lay off workers because they were caught off-guard when consumer buying habits switched to more fuel-efficient vehicles, Honda will effortlessly shuffle its production to meet U.S. demand for small cars. Without cutting any jobs in North America, Honda will move assembly of the Honda Pilot SUV and Honda Ridgeline pickup from Alliston, Ontario, to Lincoln, Alabama. This move will allow the Japanese automaker to increase production of the fuel-efficient Honda Civic in its Canadian plant. Later this year, Honda is expected to add another 2,000 jobs as it begins to build Civics in Indiana, as well. That plant will be Honda's seventh in North America. Honda has sold 34,163 units of the Civic in North America through April of this year, which is 8.2% more Civics sold on average per day than in 2007. For comparison's sake, Toyota has sold 32,435 Corollas, Ford has sold 23,850 Foci and Chevy has sold 18,636 Cobalts so far this year.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Honda shuffles production so it can make more Civics originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 May 2008 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlabamaAllistonCanadaCivicHondaIndianaLincolnOntarioPilotProductionRidgelineThu, 29 May 2008 15:25:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/first-drive-2009-honda-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/first-drive-2009-honda-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/15/first-drive-2009-honda-pilot/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2009 Honda Pilot - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the new 2009 Honda Pilot turned up as a concept at the Detroit Auto Show in January, most observers were decidedly underwhelmed. Unlike many other recent crossovers, notably the GM Lambdas, Honda chose to go with a decidedly more utilitarian look for the second-generation Pilot. As Honda officials explained when we gathered for a preview drive of the 2009 Pilot, they wanted to retain the "Utility" in CUV and a big part of that involved maximizing the useful interior volume within the Pilot's relatively modest exterior dimensions. That means a boxy shape that provides room for up to eight (at least as defined by the seat-belts) inside.

While the Pilot won't be challenging the Buick Enclave or Mazda CX-9 for style points, it isn't too painful on the eyes. It's more a case of being almost invisible. The greenhouse is actually strongly reminiscent of the first generation Jeep Liberty, only longer. In spite of the rather barn like shape, it's actually more aerodynamic than the original Pilot, resulting in substantially less wind noise. In fact, the Pilot has a whole range of improvements that reduce noise, which we'll explore a bit later. There are also some things that might be considered a step backwards. Read on after the jump to learn about our first drive in the new Pilot.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot


Photos Copyright (C) 2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot

First Drive: 2009 Honda Pilot originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 honda pilot2009-honda-pilot2009HondaPilotfeaturedfirstfirst drivefirst-driveFirstDrivehondahonda pilotHondaPilotpilotTue, 15 Apr 2008 02:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: 2009 Honda Pilot]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/spy-shots-2009-honda-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/spy-shots-2009-honda-pilot/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/09/spy-shots-2009-honda-pilot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


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

The 2009 Honda Pilot has been spied in production guise, and unlike the bulldog that inspired the front grille, it's less than lovable. With styling pulled directly from the Honda Pilot Prototype shown in Detroit, the new unibody 'ute from Honda should arrive later this year with ACE safety features, a V6 lump with cylinder deactivation and seating for eight passengers of varying size. The interior is an evolution of the outgoing model, with a massive center stack that's far more butch that the one it replaces, along with a new multifunction steering wheel similar to that found on the redesigned Accord. Overall, we're not entirely smitten with the slap sides and grotesque nose, but you can check the gallery below to make up your own mind.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2009 Honda Pilot

Spy Shots: 2009 Honda Pilot originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20092009 honda pilot2009 honda pilot spy shots2009HondaPilot2009HondaPilotSpyShotshondapilotspy shotsSpyShotsWed, 09 Apr 2008 19:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda shifts Ridgeline production from Canada to Alabama]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-from-canada-t-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-from-canada-t-alabama/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/03/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-from-canada-t-alabama/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Honda built its state of the art Lincoln, Alabama plant to produce the Odyssey minivan and Pilot SUV, and now it's going to add the Ridgeline unit-body pickup, as well. Cost-wise, it makes a lot of sense to move Ridgeline production from Canada to Alabama, considering all three vehicles share a platform and powertrain. What's tough to understand is how Honda intends to squeeze out an additional 40,000 units from the ultra-efficient plant. The Lincoln plant is already operating 13,000 units beyond peak capacity, with its very strong minivan and SUV selling well around the country.

Lucky for Honda we're not in charge of vehicle production, and we're sure the company's many brilliant engineers know what they're doing. Now, if the Japanese automaker can get some equally talented designers to gussy up the visual train wreck that is the Ridgeline, then they'd definitely need a second manufacturing sight site.

[Source: AL]

Honda shifts Ridgeline production from Canada to Alabama originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Hondahonda ridgelineHondaRidgelinemanufacturingOdysseyPickupPilotRidgelineMon, 03 Mar 2008 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Crash Landing: 2009 Honda Pilot design deemed boring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/29/crash-landing-2009-honda-pilot-design-deemed-boring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/29/crash-landing-2009-honda-pilot-design-deemed-boring/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/29/crash-landing-2009-honda-pilot-design-deemed-boring/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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]

Gallery: 2008 Detroit: Honda Pilot Prototype

Crash Landing: 2009 Honda Pilot design deemed boring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009auto showAutoShowconceptdesigndetroithondahonda pilotHondaPilotnaiaspilotshowTue, 29 Jan 2008 08:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Jet-powered record-breaker seeks petite woman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/jet-powered-record-breaker-seeks-petite-woman/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/jet-powered-record-breaker-seeks-petite-woman/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/17/jet-powered-record-breaker-seeks-petite-woman/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Single-engine jet-powered dragster seeking female companion for thrilling adventure across salt flats. Petite build. Background in motorsports or aviation. With sponsors. Interested parties please contact Eric Ahlstrom (eahlstrom@pyramid.net), program manager, Steve Fossett World Land Speed Racing Team.

It's not exactly the kind of personal add you'd normally find in your local newspaper, but those are the criteria required by a team mounting the latest attempt at the land speed record. The 48-foot-long land-bound jet is powered by a 40,000-hp S&S LM-1500 turbine mounted in a sleek, aerodynamic body that is claimed to have less than a quarter the drag coefficient of the Trust SSC, the - ahem - "vehicle", if you could call it that, which currently holds the record.

Unfortunately, the design of the jetmobile necessitated a tiny cockpit, so they need a tiny driver to operate the thing. The pilot will be involved in each step along the road to the record attempt, including feedback on developmental runs and system tests slated for the next couple of months before they finally make a run at the record. Anyone have Danica Patrick's number? Oh wait, we do!

[Source: Inside Line]

Jet-powered record-breaker seeks petite woman originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driverfemalefossetthiringland speed recordLandSpeedRecordlookingneededpilotseekingstevewantedwomanThu, 17 Jan 2008 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda treading in foreign territory: Incentive spending up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/17/honda-treading-in-foreign-territory-incentive-spending-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/17/honda-treading-in-foreign-territory-incentive-spending-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/17/honda-treading-in-foreign-territory-incentive-spending-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



When you think about an automaker offering up incentives, Honda normally wouldn't spring to mind. With the ongoing success of the Civic and Honda's inability to keep enough Fits on the lot to keep up with demand, it's obvious that the automaker has been doing well with its core models, but it's some of its outlying offerings that aren't selling like hotcakes.

The SUV and minivan segment has been stagnant as of late, and coupled with an increase in production at Honda's plants, the imbalance is affecting the number of Pilots and Odysseys that are hanging around dealer lots. To combat the lethargic sales, Honda is increasing dealer incentives and lease subsidies on the aforementioned people movers, the Ridgeline and the long-in-the-tooth Accord.

Regardless of the move, Honda isn't throwing money on the hood like other automakers, which makes both corporate bigwigs and Honda owners happy, as residual values won't be hampered by a flood of inexpensive models hitting the market.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Honda treading in foreign territory: Incentive spending up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accordhondaodysseypilotridgelineTue, 17 Jul 2007 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda to bring diesel V6 to U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/11/honda-to-bring-diesel-v6-to-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/11/honda-to-bring-diesel-v6-to-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/11/honda-to-bring-diesel-v6-to-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When diesels first hit the American market after the gas shocks of the 70's, they were unreliable, smelly, loud, and rough. They did get better gas mileage than comparably-sized gasoline engines, but in the eyes of the American public, the negatives of diesel tech far outweighed its positives. Diesel engines have gotten far better in the past 25 years, with Europeans buying more oil-burners than petrol engines. $3.00 per gallon gas (or worse) is helping to usher in a second renaissance for the diesel, and Honda is going all-in with a 3.5L dieselV6 for the US market.

Honda's forthcoming engine, which should be arriving around 2010, should achieve 30% better fuel economy (or more) than a comparably-sized gas engine, which should alleviate some of our pain at the pump. Honda plans on installing this V6 diesel delight on larger vehicles like the Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline, and the Pilot. We think the new V6 will go along nicely with the planned four-banger in the Accord, and it will certainly help the folks from Tokyo compete with the many diesels the competition has planned for the near future.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Honda to bring diesel V6 to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AccordDieselHondaPilotRidgelineV6Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Alonso's the fastest driver in F1]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/28/alonsos-the-fastest-driver-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/28/alonsos-the-fastest-driver-in-f1/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/28/alonsos-the-fastest-driver-in-f1/#commentsFiled under:

"We all know the great drivers - they're the ones who win the world titles - but what about the truly quick ones?" That's the question F1 Racing magazine asked, and answered with a study published in the January issue. They surveyed the insiders - from team leaders to former world champions - and compared driver's stats to the performance of their team-mates to arrive at a list of the Top 50 quickest drivers of all time.

The late, great Ayrton Senna took the top honors, followed by the recently retired Michael Schumacher in second place. Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso took eighth place, but more importantly was the top-ranked driver currently racing, coming ahead of Kimi Raikkonen (13th) and well ahead of Jarno Truli (42nd), Mark Webber (43rd) and Jenson Button (49th). Shockingly, Alonso also finished ahead of some of history's greatest like Gilles Villeneuve (11th), Alain Prost (14th) and Niki Lauda (18th).

Will Alonso continue to live up to the rank F1 Racing attributed to him? We'll enjoy finding out.

[Source: F1 Racing via F1i.com]

Alonso's the fastest driver in F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>50driverf1fastestfiftymagazinepilotquickestracingtopThu, 28 Dec 2006 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda may outfit Ridgeline and others with V6 diesel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/honda-may-outfit-ridgeline-and-others-with-v6-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/honda-may-outfit-ridgeline-and-others-with-v6-diesel/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/04/honda-may-outfit-ridgeline-and-others-with-v6-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

In an interview with Automotive News, Honda's CEO, Takeo Fukui said that the automaker's newly developed diesel technology will find its way into their light truck offerings of the future.

The vehicles identified by Fukui as being the likely recipients of a V6 diesel are the Ridgeline pickup, Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan, with Acura's MDX also being a candidate for oil-burning power.

The V6 engine is currently under development and will likely debut sometime after Honda introduces their 2.2-liter diesel in 2009.

Another interesting tidbit from Fukui's interview with AN was his comment about the possibility of future Honda vehicles receiving turbocharged mills. He indicated that the introduction of the turbo'd Acura RDX did not mean that only the high-end automaker would benefit from the glories of forced induction. We'd like to see a factory-blown version of the Honda Remix come out by the end of the decade, but we're not going to start saving up yet.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Honda may outfit Ridgeline and others with V6 diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acuradieselhondamdxodysseypilotrdxremixridgelinetakeo fukuiTakeoFukuiturboturbochargedv6Mon, 04 Dec 2006 08:55:00 EST