Hmmm....What would the CRV look like as a Truck you ask.....?????

I stumbled across this photo shop, looks pretty good too, not saying I'd want to see this a reality, just saying Matheus Castro did a bang up job on it.

www.gt-x.blogspot.com.br

Truck Trend: 2014 Honda Ridgeline Last Test

By Edward A. Sanchez of www.trucktrend.com
 
The current Honda Ridgeline is winding down its model cycle, a bold experiment in the midsize truck class on a vehicle that defied easy categorization, and gave a hint at what the future of the segment might look like. But perhaps it was a little too unconventional for mass-market acceptance. Almost nothing about the Ridgeline is remotely like its peers from Nissan, Toyota, or any of the other contenders that have come and gone in the last few years, including the Dodge Dakota.

The fact that General Motors is debuting brand-new midsize trucks sticking with the proven body-on-frame, longitudinal powertrain, rear-leaf formula casts a shadow on the future of Honda's bold unibody, transverse truck experiment. With sales hovering barely over 1000 units per month for most of the past several years, it looked like the Ridgeline would go down as one of those promising concepts that seemed like it worked in theory, but fell short of its potential in the real world. Yet despite the criticism and the calls for Honda to cut its losses on the Ridgeline, it has committed to a second-generation model, but not before a two-year hiatus to regroup, and to focus on higher-volume, higher-profit models in the meantime such as the Acura MDX, Honda Odyssey Minivan, and a next-generation Pilot SUV.

Doing Its Own Thing
For the truck traditionalists, the Ridgeline will always be an oddball, and short of it adopting a body-on-frame, longitudinal, rear/four-wheel-drive layout, may never find the same level of mass-market acceptance as the Toyota Tacoma, or even the upcoming Colorado or Canyon. But for those not asking their midsize trucks to constantly carry a heavy payload or pull a trailer, the Ridgeline's packaging and features make it a compelling choice for weekend warriors.

The transverse powertrain layout pays major dividends in interior room, with the Ridgeline having a low, flat floor, and minimal intrusion from the transmission in the center tunnel. Although the front row has only two seats, the Ridgeline's column-mounted shifter could allow for three-across seating, if the center stack was slightly redesigned to accommodate legs and feet in the middle position. As it is, there's generous space for a handbag, briefcase, laptop case, or whatever you wish to place there, as well as ample center console storage. The rear seat is likewise significantly more spacious than the crew cab variants of either than the Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier, and subjectively, feels far more spacious than the rear seat of the new Chevrolet Colorado.

But in exchange for its relatively short, 206.9-inch length and roomy back seat, the bed is a short 60 inches (5 feet exactly) and does not have a midgate like the recently departed Chevrolet Avalanche to expand the load floor into the cabin. Payload capacity of around 1500 pounds is about on par with the Tacoma and Frontier, and its towing capacity of 5000 pounds splits the difference between the four-cylinder and V-6 models of the Toyota and Nissan.


Fuelish Dreams
You would think with a slightly smaller-displacement engine, and a hypothetically lighter weight design, that the Ridgeline would take the Tacoma and Frontier to school when it comes to fuel economy. Unfortunately, the Ridgeline shows no real advantage in this regard, with exactly the same 15/21 EPA rating as the Nissan Frontier V-6 4x4, with the Tacoma actually getting 1 mpg better in the city at 16 mpg. In terms of weight, the Ridgeline is approximately 300 pounds heavier than a comparably configured Tacoma, and about the same weight as a comparable Frontier.

At least unloaded, the 250-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 has no problem pulling around the Ridgeline's 4529 pounds, although a little more low-end torque would help. The engine makes an enthusiastic growl when pushed, but comes across as a little coarse, especially in comparison with current full-size truck powertrains. In the Ridgeline's defense, neither the Tacoma or Frontier are exactly models of refinement either. Its 0-60 and quarter-mile times of 8.3 and 16.5 seconds are respectable, but not class-leading.

The Ridgeline's four-wheel-independent coil-spring suspension gives it a decidedly smoother, more relaxed ride quality than the Tacoma or Frontier, which can both be a little bouncy with their rear leaf springs, especially unloaded.

The Ridgeline certainly gets points for its user-friendliness, easy ingress and egress, thanks to its low floor, and its handy and innovative in-bed trunk and dual-mode tailgate. But in quantitative utility and efficiency, it shows no great advantage over its more conventional peers.

Preparing a Comeback
It's probably fortuitous that the Ridgeline will be temporarily discontinued for the 2015 model year, as the 2015 GM trucks will likely have a significant fuel economy advantage over the Tacoma and Frontier, and by extension, the Ridgeline. Honda as a company has built its name and reputation on class-leading fuel economy. Unfortunately, the current Ridgeline doesn't live up to this promise.

Honda just released a silhouette sketch of the next-generation Ridgeline, and initial indications are for a much more conventional look. However, the transverse powertrain layout and all-wheel drive look like they will probably carry over. Look for the next-generation V-6 to be substantially more fuel-efficient, however, in the magnitude of 20 percent or more.

From a packaging and features standpoint, the Ridgeline remains a compelling option to its more conventional midsize counterparts. However, its lackluster fuel economy, and slight sacrifice in quantitative, traditional truck utility compared with its peers likely tipped the scales in favor of the Tacoma or Frontier for many buyers.

Will the Ridgeline ever be a large-volume play for Honda? Probably not, but it's clear the company still believes in the promise of the concept, and the burden will be on them to prove its viability with the next-generation model.



Source;
http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_1312_2014_honda_ridgeline_first_test/

Honda commits to 2nd-gen Ridgeline

by  Richard Truett of www.autonews.com

Honda says it will launch an all-new second generation of the Ridgeline within two years -- ending speculation that it would give up on the pickup because of slow sales.

The redesigned Ridgeline, which is being developed in the United States, will be new from the wheels up and built at Honda's Lincoln, Ala., plant, home of the current model.

Honda plans to end production of the first-generation Ridgeline in June, leaving a gap in production. Depending on demand for the current model, dealers may run out of Ridgelines before the new one is available. But Honda spokesman Steve Kinkade said if that does happen, dealers will not be out of the truck for an extended period of time.

Honda did not release any technical details of the new Ridgeline or indicate whether it would be the same size as the current model. There's also no word on whether it will continue to be based on the Odyssey minivan platform or get unique underpinnings.

The Ridgeline, facing full-sized truck competitors from Ram, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Toyota and Nissan, is the segment's lowest volume seller. Through November, Honda sold 16,160 Ridgelines, up 29 percent over the same period last year. The company recently introduced a special edition model for 2014.

Honda introduced the Ridgeline in 2005 and has sold 242,049 in the United States since its debut. It won North American Truck of the Year honors in 2006, partly due to its clever layout and innovative cargo stowage system. But its minivan-based underpinnings meant the Ridgeline could not tow and haul heavy loads like a conventional truck, and that may have limited its appeal.

Source;
http://www.autonews.com/article/20131216/OEM04/312169999/honda-commits-to-2nd-gen-ridgeline#

All-new Honda Ridgeline Pickup to Debut Within Two Years

12/10/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif.

• Design sketch reveals styling direction for Next-Gen Honda truck
• Current Ridgeline production will end mid-2014
• Sales of Ridgeline up 29 percent in 2013

An all-new Honda Ridgeline pickup truck will come to market in less than two years and, today, Honda shared a sketch expressing the new truck's styling direction. Honda also confirmed that production of the current Ridgeline (http://automobiles.honda.com/ridgeline/), built exclusively by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, in Lincoln, Alabama, will conclude in mid-2014.

Like the innovative first-generation model that earned 2006 North American Truck of the Year and Motor Trend Truck of the Year honors after its fall 2005 debut, the next-gen Ridgeline is being designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas, Inc. at its Los Angeles and Ohio R&D centers.

The Honda Ridgeline broke new ground in the American pickup market with its unique design featuring a spacious five-passenger cabin, smooth ride and handling, and half-ton truck capability. The first truck of its kind to be built on a closed-box unibody platform, the Ridgeline introduced innovative new features to the pickup segment, such as its large In-Bed Trunk® and dual-action tailgate.

"The next generation Ridgeline will build on Honda's role in creating new value with a new take on advancing form and function in the truck segment," said Michael Accavitti, senior vice president of automobile operations for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "With a clear path forward, Ridgeline will play an even more important role in our future product portfolio and strengthen an already class-leading lineup of light trucks."

Sales of Ridgeline have enjoyed strong momentum in 2013, strengthened recently by the introduction of a new top-of-the-line Special Edition model for 2014, with sales totaling 16,160 units through the first 11 months of the year, an increase of 29 percent. 

Source;
http://www.hondanews.com/channels/corporate-headlines/releases/all-new-honda-ridgeline-pickup-to-debut-within-two-years

Remembering the 2005 Honda Ridgeline Street Sport Concept

Well, it's been official for awhile, Honda is going to be redesigning the Honda Ridgeline, it will be expected to come out as a 2016/17 model, and will be expected to be an early introduction for 2015/16.  Honda has also been talking about retiring the vehicle for 2015 while they ready the Next Gen.  I for one would wish that Honda would just come out with a Ultra-Limited Edition that would look closer to the 05 Ridgeline Street Sport Edition.  Wishful thinking.

Pictures Source;
http://www.netcarshow.com/honda/2005-ridgeline_street_sport_concept/

Ward's Auto: Honda Ridgeline to Take Nearly 2-Year Hiatus

Not too sure what to think about this one, I've personally heard that Honda would continue with the truck until the next one comes out, it would just be called something like the Ridgeline Classic....

The current-generation compact pickup is expected to end production in September 2014, with a new model not launching until 2016.

by Christie Schweinsberg | WardsAuto

Honda will pull the plug on its current-generation Ridgeline compact pickup earlier than expected, according to the most recent WardsAuto/Automotive Compass forecast.

Industry sources say the Ridgeline now is set to end production in September 2014, with a new model not launching until second-quarter 2016.

This is a change from a prior forecast that had the current-generation truck ending its run in spring 2016 and the next-generation model beginning production the following week.

The Ridgeline is built at Honda’s Lincoln, AL, plant alongside other Honda and Acura light trucks, including the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX cross/utility vehicles.

Honda introduced the Ridgeline to the U.S. as an ’06 model in spring 2005.

Ridgeline deliveries mostly have been on a downward trajectory since record volume of 50,193 was achieved in 2006.

Sales of the pickup did grow last year to 14,068 units, a 44.2% rise from 2011 that Honda officials credit to a new Sport grade that debuted for ’12.

With demand for the truck falling sharply from its 2006 high, rumors and reports of the Ridgeline’s imminent departure have been rampant. However, Honda has vigorously denied the vehicle will disappear completely from its U.S. lineup.

The auto maker’s Detroit-based spokesman Steve Kinkade says, “(While) we don't comment on future product decisions, Ridgeline continues to be an important part of our lineup and we're pleased with Ridgeline sales, up 24% year-on-year and 32% in June.”

When the Ridgeline debuted, Honda billed the truck as an “SUT,” or sport/utility truck, partially due to its then-innovative in-bed storage box.

While manufacturers of competing body-on-frame pickups initially decried the Ridgeline because it shared some lineage with the unibody Pilot, MDX and Odyssey minivan, elements of the Ridgeline design later were co-opted by other auto makers, including Chrysler, which has a similar storage box in its Ram fullsize pickup truck.

Additionally, competitors have discussed or shown concepts of unibody small trucks, believing such models could be a way to reignite the drastically declining segment.

WardsAutodata shows small-pickup sales fell from a record 1,462,543 units in 1986 to 278,265 last year.

Pricing that approaches or is on par with that of fullsize pickups has been blamed for the decline in compact-truck volume. Many manufacturers already have abandoned the segment in the U.S., including Dodge (Dakota) and Ford (Ranger). General Motors also has been absent in recent years but will roll out new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon models in early 2014.

While the Detroit Three used to rule the compact-truck segment much as they do fullsize pickups, Toyota’s Tacoma has led Ward’s Small Pickup group since 2005.

Tacoma deliveries in 2012 tallied 141,365, a 27.7% increase from 2011 and nearly 90,000 units ahead of Nissan’s Frontier, the No.2-selling compact pickup last year.

Source;
http://wardsauto.com/auto-makers/honda-ridgeline-take-nearly-2-year-hiatus

2014 Acura MDX Foreshadows Next Honda Ridgeline

by Mark Williams

If ever there was a truck in desperate need of performance and styling updating it's the Honda Ridgeline. Essentially using the same chassis and powertrain strategy since its 2005 introduction (as a 2006 model), the Ridgeline is built off a modified version of the Acura MDX and Honda Odyssey platforms.

So far Honda has been tight-lipped about what types of changes could be coming for a next-generation Ridgeline — that is if Honda decides to stick with the vehicle at all. Some reports we've heard have the Ridgeline taking a year or two off from production to give Honda engineers time to make the pickup trucklet a better midsize competitor and/or a better player against full-size competitors.

We recently had the chance to catch up some key Honda engineers during the introduction of the all-new 2014 Acura MDX. Although they never directly made comments about the next-gen Ridgeline, we were able to read between the lines. Sure, the MDX and Ridgeline are two very different vehicles with very different capabilities and customer profiles, but there are likely to be several clues in the new MDX that could impact a future Ridgeline — mostly because they will continue to be produced at the same Lincoln, Ala., plant where the Ridgline's siblings — the Pilot, Odyssey and MDX — will continue production. Just as the last-gen MDX structure had similarities to the current Ridgeline, the new MDX could be a preview of a new Ridgeline strategy.

Jim Keller is the large project leader for the new MDX, which means he manages the engineers (engine, body, electrical, etc.), many of whom are also working on other platforms in Alabama. Based on the last-generation MDX, Pilot and Ridgeline, we can expect a new, lighter and stronger substructure (now with plenty of high-strength steel) will make it into all similar vehicles, with each of the rear suspensions getting a unique design and tune.

The MDX has departed from its previous trailering arm/link strategy in favor of a new stiffer and less complicated three-link setup. With that said, the current Ridgeline did not exactly use the previous-gen MDX's rear suspension; instead it used a highly modified and reinforced setup over the rear axle for handling heavier loads and towing.

To be competitive, a new Ridgeline will have to get lighter, stronger, offer better fuel economy (possibly another powertrain choice), be more versatile and deliver additional, unique (we like the bed trunk) storage solutions. If Honda wants to increase the appeal of the Ridgeline, it's going to have to make it attractive to traditional pickup buyers who understand what trucks are designed for and can do.

From what we've heard from those who considered purchasing a Ridgeline (and we know how passionate Ridgeline owners are), the vehicle needs to get a little more traditional to capture the attention of prospective buyers. We'd also suggest stuffing more clever storage compartments inside and outside the truck. Of course, a little fuel-saving technology couldn't hurt either.

Source;
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/06/2014-acura-mdx-foreshadows-next-honda-ridgeline.html

Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Truck Update

Well, no specifics yet, Honda is keeping their cards close to their chest on this one, no spyshots, renderings, official release date, concepts, .... nothing.  The original idea is that this truck would be redesigned for 2014, late in the year, from what rumours I am hearing is that this truck may not be released until mid/late 2014 as a 2015 model. 

Again, I have no idea if they are going to put a diesel (doubt it) engine into this truck.  I cannot see them going up to the 3.7L, seeing as Honda said that they will put a heavy emphasis on fuel economy this go around, so expect to see VCM cylinder deactivation, and Earth Dreams.  I would have to say I would expect a 6 Speed Automatic VS a CVT.

I expect the size to be about the same, I don't see Honda throwing their hat into the full size segment just yet (if ever).

I do expect something innovative that no one saw coming (like the in bed trunk) to compliment all of the other upgrades.

Stay tuned for any other updates.