Honda: Ridgeline News
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01-04-2004, 10:39 PM
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Honda Targets "Cool Dads" with New SUT Concept
By: Michael LevinePosted: 01-04-04 22:00 PT
Page: [1]
Honda is hoping to continue its strategy of delivering popular new vehicles while rounding out its model lineup when it produces an all new sport utility truck for the 2005 model year. The four-door mid-size pickup was previewed today as a lightly disguised concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Honda is aiming its SUT at "cool dads" - young fathers with 9-to-5 jobs and growing families that like to tear it up on the weekends with their ATVs and jet skis.
According to Dave Marek, lead SUT designer, the "front half of the vehicle is responsible and safe. The back half is the hobby, gear hauling part of the vehicle that you can get dirty and not mess up the interior."
Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motors, says this SUT "reflects a growing diversity in the way trucks are being used and viewed by American consumers, many of whom are looking at trucks not as work vehicles but instead as products to support their active lifestyles."
However, Colliver also adds that Honda is, "not really targeting traditional domestic truck buyer with this [vehicle]."
And traditional it's definitely not.
The light trucks Honda has been selling in the US for the past decade use unibody construction, not the well entrenched body-on-frame design most other truck manufacturers use and this truck will continue to do the same. The benefit is an integrated cab and bed that give the SUT additional torsional stiffness and rigidity and a more car-like ride.
The truck also features stereo speakers integrated into the bed and full time all-wheel-drive.
Marek calls the interior a "Mad Max" environment that uses geometric shapes and metal surfaces to convey power and symmetry. A large, rectangular IP houses a huge speedometer and data display screen. The seats are styled like roll bars and Maglite flashlights have been integrated into the front door linings. Climbing rope is used to hold items in the seat back pockets.
The SUT concept is powered by the same six cylinder, high output engine the Honda Pilot uses but Honda claims the production SUT will have more horsepower and torque than the 240hp and 242lb-ft the Pilot is currently rated at.
Colliver says towing is estimated to be 4000-5000 lbs but didn't disclose payload figures for the 5-foot long cargo box.
Speaking of the box, Honda still has some lessons to learn about pickups.
The bed rails angle back from the c-pillar with a rakish slope. While this gives the SUT a nice stance and aggressive appearance - that's actually remarkably similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche's profile - the height of the rails near the cab is close to that of a full-size pickup. Combined with flared wheel wells, this makes it extremely difficult to reach into the back of the bed to get at whatever gear you are hauling. There's a reason why truck bed rails run flat the length of the box.
Colliver says Honda expects produce 40,000-70,000 SUT units annually at its Alliston, Ontario plant.
By: Michael LevinePosted: 01-04-04 22:00 PT
Page: [1]
Honda is hoping to continue its strategy of delivering popular new vehicles while rounding out its model lineup when it produces an all new sport utility truck for the 2005 model year. The four-door mid-size pickup was previewed today as a lightly disguised concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Honda is aiming its SUT at "cool dads" - young fathers with 9-to-5 jobs and growing families that like to tear it up on the weekends with their ATVs and jet skis.
According to Dave Marek, lead SUT designer, the "front half of the vehicle is responsible and safe. The back half is the hobby, gear hauling part of the vehicle that you can get dirty and not mess up the interior."
Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motors, says this SUT "reflects a growing diversity in the way trucks are being used and viewed by American consumers, many of whom are looking at trucks not as work vehicles but instead as products to support their active lifestyles."
However, Colliver also adds that Honda is, "not really targeting traditional domestic truck buyer with this [vehicle]."
And traditional it's definitely not.
The light trucks Honda has been selling in the US for the past decade use unibody construction, not the well entrenched body-on-frame design most other truck manufacturers use and this truck will continue to do the same. The benefit is an integrated cab and bed that give the SUT additional torsional stiffness and rigidity and a more car-like ride.
The truck also features stereo speakers integrated into the bed and full time all-wheel-drive.
Marek calls the interior a "Mad Max" environment that uses geometric shapes and metal surfaces to convey power and symmetry. A large, rectangular IP houses a huge speedometer and data display screen. The seats are styled like roll bars and Maglite flashlights have been integrated into the front door linings. Climbing rope is used to hold items in the seat back pockets.
The SUT concept is powered by the same six cylinder, high output engine the Honda Pilot uses but Honda claims the production SUT will have more horsepower and torque than the 240hp and 242lb-ft the Pilot is currently rated at.
Colliver says towing is estimated to be 4000-5000 lbs but didn't disclose payload figures for the 5-foot long cargo box.
Speaking of the box, Honda still has some lessons to learn about pickups.
The bed rails angle back from the c-pillar with a rakish slope. While this gives the SUT a nice stance and aggressive appearance - that's actually remarkably similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche's profile - the height of the rails near the cab is close to that of a full-size pickup. Combined with flared wheel wells, this makes it extremely difficult to reach into the back of the bed to get at whatever gear you are hauling. There's a reason why truck bed rails run flat the length of the box.
Colliver says Honda expects produce 40,000-70,000 SUT units annually at its Alliston, Ontario plant.
07-12-2004, 10:54 PM
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2006 Honda SUT - - By Paul Lienert - - Source: The Detroit News Auto Insider
Honda says its upcoming sport utility truck is aimed at "cool dads."
Recently unveiled at the Detroit auto show and scheduled to go on sale in spring 2005 as a 2006 model, the new four-door SUT is quite unlike any other pickup on the market.
Based on the Pilot/MDX platform, the SUT has a short pickup bed and a full five-passenger interior. Although it will be Honda's first pickup in North America, it won't compete directly with more conventional body-on-framepickups from U.S. manufacturers and other Japanese brands.
Because of its underpinnings, the SUT will have a more carlike ride than conventional trucks, providing an alternative to consumers who like the utility of a sport-utility vehicle and the look of a pickup.
The actual production model won't look dramatically different from the concept vehicle. It will sport a horizontal-bar grille and large round headlamps. Power is expected to come from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to afive-speed automatic.
Honda says its upcoming sport utility truck is aimed at "cool dads."
Recently unveiled at the Detroit auto show and scheduled to go on sale in spring 2005 as a 2006 model, the new four-door SUT is quite unlike any other pickup on the market.
Based on the Pilot/MDX platform, the SUT has a short pickup bed and a full five-passenger interior. Although it will be Honda's first pickup in North America, it won't compete directly with more conventional body-on-framepickups from U.S. manufacturers and other Japanese brands.
Because of its underpinnings, the SUT will have a more carlike ride than conventional trucks, providing an alternative to consumers who like the utility of a sport-utility vehicle and the look of a pickup.
The actual production model won't look dramatically different from the concept vehicle. It will sport a horizontal-bar grille and large round headlamps. Power is expected to come from a 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to afive-speed automatic.
07-12-2004, 10:58 PM
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Honda SUT - - Source: hondapreview.com
Yes Honda will have a pickup in 2005! This next generation truck will feature a fully integrated cab and 5 foot long bed, a reinforced unibody frame, and seating for five. Design details also include a four-panel skylight, cargo bed with lights and speakers, roll bar appearance seats, climbing robe storage bins, and front door liners made with integrated Mag-Lite, flashlights. Honda has stated that the SUT will set a new standard for fuel economy, low emissions, and safety along with superior ergonomics, innovative packaging, and fun-to-drive character. 6 color choices will be available in LX, EX, EX-L, and NAVI trim levels.
Key Features and Specifications:
High output VTEC V-6
Advanced electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system
Reinforced unibody chassis design
Billeted aluminum exterior and interior design theme
Spacious five-passenger cabin
5-foot cargo bed with integrated lighting and bed tie downs
High-power audio system with exterior bed speakers
Next generation Honda Navigation System
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Dual Stage, dual threshold front airbags
Front side airbags with OPDS (Occupant Position Detection System)
Side curtain airbag system with rollover sensors
Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS)
Front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
Genuine Honda Accessories (some of which include):
Roof Rack with a wide assortment of attachments
DVD Entertainment System
XM Radio
Hard Tonneau Cover
Bed Extender
Bed Rail System
Fender Flares
Motorcycle Wheel Guide & Loading Ramp
Yes Honda will have a pickup in 2005! This next generation truck will feature a fully integrated cab and 5 foot long bed, a reinforced unibody frame, and seating for five. Design details also include a four-panel skylight, cargo bed with lights and speakers, roll bar appearance seats, climbing robe storage bins, and front door liners made with integrated Mag-Lite, flashlights. Honda has stated that the SUT will set a new standard for fuel economy, low emissions, and safety along with superior ergonomics, innovative packaging, and fun-to-drive character. 6 color choices will be available in LX, EX, EX-L, and NAVI trim levels.
Key Features and Specifications:
High output VTEC V-6
Advanced electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system
Reinforced unibody chassis design
Billeted aluminum exterior and interior design theme
Spacious five-passenger cabin
5-foot cargo bed with integrated lighting and bed tie downs
High-power audio system with exterior bed speakers
Next generation Honda Navigation System
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
Dual Stage, dual threshold front airbags
Front side airbags with OPDS (Occupant Position Detection System)
Side curtain airbag system with rollover sensors
Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS)
Front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters
Genuine Honda Accessories (some of which include):
Roof Rack with a wide assortment of attachments
DVD Entertainment System
XM Radio
Hard Tonneau Cover
Bed Extender
Bed Rail System
Fender Flares
Motorcycle Wheel Guide & Loading Ramp
some style but nothing bloated like the current nissan/dodge lineup .
07-13-2004, 02:28 PM
#20
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Originally Posted by Ashburner
hmmm... 4,000-5,000 lbs towing doesn't sound too good for a truck.
It's for the wannabe SUV/SUT soccer moms and dads.
It'll sell like hotcakes.
07-13-2004, 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Rod
This should take some sales from the Explorer that has the small bed too, whatever it's called.
I think the SUT will do better than the Sport Trac...but I have a feeling once the "newness" of the idea wears off, this thing will have a hard time selling. No one is going to compare it to a real truck so it won't get the exposure...but we'll see. People were saying no one would buy a cube on wheels either...but the Element is doing quite well.
07-15-2004, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by heyitsme
...I don't like the concept very much, too blocky and unfinished like the element.
