Honda Ridgeline Dually April Fools Joke

I just about fell out of my chair looking at this!!!!
This is interesting. A friend sent me this screen capture of Honda Thailand’s site. Is Honda Thailand officially offering the Ridgeline? If so, will it be offered in Malaysia too? All I know is that site is now taken off. An April’s Loof prank?

Source;
http://www.theophiluschin.com/?p=3961

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport Package Revealed

The 2012 model year brings a new trim level and some visual revisions for Honda's Ridgeline truck. The new trim is optimistically called Sport -- it doesn't entail any sporty performance upgrades, but does bring aesthetic modifications to make the Ridgeline look a little cooler.

The key word for the Ridgeline Sport is black, as the color is applied to the head-, fog-, and taillight bezels; the mirrors; door handles; unique honeycomb grille; and 18-inch wheels. It's a cool look, but we wonder whether the Sport label is truly justified by what's essentially just a collection of blacked-out body parts. From what we can tell, the Sport will sport much of the same equipment as a typical Ridgeline RT model.

New duds aren't limited to this black-on-black model, as Honda will graft a new grille design onto every 2012 Ridgeline. There are no pictures of the non-Sport model, but our money says the Ridgeline will score the same chrome-slat grille design as the 2012 Pilot.

The 2012 Ridgeline is said to boast improved fuel economy; the 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine will probably remain unchanged while the five-speed automatic transmission could be swapped for a six-speed unit, like that used on the Acura MDX, which rides upon a similar platform. The truck is currently EPA-rated at 15/20 mpg (city/highway). The new Ridgeline (and the Sport variant) goes on sale this November.

Source;

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2011/163_news110725_2012_honda_ridgeline/index.html

Next Gen Honda Ridgeline

Well, although there has been alot of speculation as to whether Honda will continue with a Next Generation Ridgeline Truck, I for one think that the current market conditions are ripe for it! Light truck sales have been strong and there have been quite a few inquiries into what Honda has planned for the next Ridgeline.

Try as I may, I haven't seen any concept drawing or anything! Whatever Honda has planned, they are keeping their cards close to their chest!

So, here begins the "What Should Honda do to the Next Ridgeline".... Post your ideas in the comments section, and let's see what comes up, who knows, maybe Honda's listening....

Honda can’t keep up with orders for its light trucks, says vice president

Honda’s inventory for light trucks is low – a sign of revitalized consumer confidence, according to Executive Vice President John Mendel. In an interview at the Moving Ahead sustainable-transportation conference, Mendel said that inventory is very short on the light-truck side, “whether it’s Pilot or Ridgeline or Odyssey or CR-V.”

He said that the demand for light trucks appears to be increasing for the company as well as for the industry. He pointed out that this demand is even higher than the car segment. Honda, including Acura, recorded a 33% gain in US truck sales in April 2010 compared with April 2009.

Last month, total Honda sales rose by 13%. For the first four months, Honda’s US truck sales increased by 13%, compared with a 12% increase for both Honda and Acura. Total US light-truck sales increased by 24% in April and 15% for the first four months. Meanwhile, sales of all US vehicles improved 20% in April and 17% for the first four months.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-cant-keep-up-with-orders-for-its-light-trucks-says-vice-president/

Honda's first truck tops in reliability

Guess which pickup truck has the top reliability rating of any consumer truck sold in the United States. Two hints: It's built by a company that's known for fuel-efficient car, and it's not one of the best-selling trucks in the country.

The answer: The Honda Ridgeline.

Introduced in spring 2005 as Honda's first pickup, the Ridgeline isn't a brawny brute capable of towing 8,500 pounds and climbing over sizable rocks off road.

Rather, the Ridgeline is a four-door, five-passenger, four-wheel drive, mid-size truck that's agile for everyday driving and comfortable for outdoor getaways on less-aggressive off-road terrain. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

And the Ridgeline remains the only truck with some innovative features, such as a lockable trunk in the floor of its pickup bed and a tailgate that can flip down the usual way or swing out, like a car door, for easier access to the bed. The Ridgeline also has car-like unibody construction to help provide a smooth ride.

Unlike many other trucks, there's no bargain-basement version of Ridgeline, which helps to explain the lagging sales.

The well-equipped Ridgeline has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, with destination charge, of $29,160. This includes a V-6, five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive and compares with $26,840 for a V-6-powered, 2010 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE with four-wheel drive and automatic transmission.

A 2010 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab with four doors, V-6, four-wheel drive and automatic transmission has a starting retail price of $27,550.

The Frontier and Tacoma have body-on-frame construction typical of trucks. They also are offered in lower-priced versions that have less equipment. For example, a 2010 Tacoma with regular cab with only front seats, four-cylinder engine and manual transmission starts at $16,145.

Clearly, Honda officials had something different in mind for the crew cab-only Ridgeline, and it was mostly the owners of Honda cars like the Accord and Civic who also have pickups parked in the driveways.

In 2005, Honda officials estimated about 18 percent of the millions of Honda owners in America were in this category, and they projected annual Ridgeline sales of 50,000. Alas, Ridgeline hasn't caught on, despite the stellar reliability rating of Consumer Reports, where the Ridgeline is a recommended buy and reliability is "better than average."

Even the Tacoma, another recommended buy, doesn't have that reliability rating. Neither do top-selling trucks like the full-size Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado.

The test Ridgeline, a top RTL model with navigation system and voice recognition, leather-trimmed seats, satellite radio, moonroof and alloy wheels, would never be confused with a truck taking guys to a construction site.

The interior was spacious, front and back, and excellent in fit and finish. Controls were large and easy to understand and doors closed solidly.

I marveled at how wide the Ridgeline interior is. My front passenger and I had wide seats and good-sized center console with lots of storage between us. I especially appreciated the deep center storage that could swallow my purse and keep it invisible under a closed cover.

Front-seat headroom of 40.7 inches in Ridgelines with no moonroof is more than the 40.1 inches in a Tacoma Double Cab and the 40 inches in a Frontier Crew Cab. The test Ridgeline with the power-operated moonroof had 38.7 inches of headroom up front, and it was still roomy for me and a 6-foot passenger.

Back-seat headroom in the Ridgeline totals 36.4 inches, which is less than the Tacoma's 38.5 inches and the 38.7 inches in the Frontier.

But shoulder room of 62.6 inches in the Ridgeline back seat is noteworthy. The Frontier only has 58.3 inches of rear-seat shoulder room, while the Tacoma has 59.3 inches.

Yet from the outside, the Ridgeline doesn't appear as big as it is. The Ridgeline is Honda's longest vehicle, more than 17 feet long from bumper to bumper. This is longer than even the Honda Odyssey minivan.

But drivers don't feel that they're wheeling around in a big, wallow-y vehicle. Rather, the Ridgeline moves amid city traffic easily, and there's no need to worry about crowding the next lane or sticking out in the grocery parking lot.

There is a sizable turning circle, however, of 42.6 feet, and the test Ridgeline bounced a bit over choppy pavement. Road noise can be loud on rough road surfaces. I didn't notice much wind noise.

There's one engine for the Ridgeline — a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter, single overhead cam V-6. It's the same V-6 used in the Honda Pilot sport utility vehicle and has strong, confident sounds.

With torque peaking at 247 foot-pounds at 4,700 rpm, this V-6 moves the more than 4,500-pound Ridgeline capably, even if there's not instant get-up-and-go when the accelerator pedal is pressed.

I was impressed with how smoothly the automatic transmission channeled the engine power. Passengers didn't notice shift points.

Too bad, though, that the Ridgeline doesn't come with Honda's notorious fuel-sipping qualities.

Instead, the Ridgeline's federal government fuel mileage ratings of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway are about middle of the range for 2010 pickup trucks. A Tacoma with V-6 and four-wheel drive is rated at 17/21 mpg.

The 5-foot-long Ridgeline bed is made of composite and has no wheel arches intruding.

All safety equipment, including curtain air bags, traction control and electronic stability control, is standard.

Source;
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5itU1WrlwPBj9_UygNZQ1t8N336IQD9EPNIE00

Honda Ridgeline Teeters On The Edge, What Would You Do With It?

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Pickups were all the rage and becoming softer and more car-like as more and more people turned to them as daily drivers. Honda tried to get ahead of the game, but it hasn't exactly worked out. As Honda sources continue to seesaw on the unibody truck's future, it's time to ask what should become of the Ridgeline.

In February, we ran a report fresh off of the Chicago show floor declaring that a new Ridgeline would be coming "in 2011, for the 2011 model year" as Honda VP of Product Planning Vicki Poponi told PickupTrucks.com. Official word came quickly from Honda, refuting Poponi and declaring that there would be no new Ridgeline for 2011 and leaving the truck's future open-ended.

Honda's rebuttal left some serious questions unanswered. Is a redesign simply planned for a later model year, or is the truck going to be cancelled? Or has Honda even decided? Honda isn't talking, but we've picked up another report today from PickupTrucks.com indicating the Ridgeline isn't long for this world. Sources say that the truck won't be renewed after its lifecycle ends in 2012, which may make 2011 the last model year.

Honda PR Manager Christina Ra would only confirm that there would be no redesigned Ridgeline in 2011, again leaving the truck's future unknown

What we do know, though, is what we can see in Honda's own sales reports. When the Ridgeline debuted in 2005, we were so impressed by its left-field approach and impressive execution that we awarded it our coveted Truck of the Year award. In a world of sub-par Chevy Colorados, ancient Ford Rangers, and a small-truck segment that was mostly an afterthought for most automakers, Honda appeared to have a revolutionary new idea that would offer the casual truck buyer a nice compromise. Its V-6 engine and fully independent suspension offered car-like refinement while its four full doors, AWD, dual-action tailgate, and decent-sized bed with lockable in-floor box gave it a reasonable degree of capability that would appeal to the weekend warrior on home improvement runs and trips to the lake.

At first, it appeared Honda's unibody gamble paid off. The Japanese automaker had hoped to sell 50,000 trucks per year and it nearly did it out of the gate. Sales in 2005 hit 42,593 units and it would only take another year to hit the magical 50,000 mark with 50,193 units sold in 2006. That would be the Ridgeline's best year, though, as sales slipped back to 2005 levels the very next year. Still, 42,795 sales in 2006 could hardly be called a bad year, given the 50,000-sale target, but it would only get worse from here. Its compact size and relative fuel efficiency didn't help as much as you'd think when gas prices shot up in 2008. Sales continued to drop, with only 33,875 sold in 2008 and the freefall continued in 2009, when Honda only managed to move 16,464 Ridgelines.

That brings us to today, less than two weeks after Honda posted its March 2010 sales. March has traditionally been a good month for the Ridgeline, and sales were up 12.3 percent this year. That being said, 1,416 sales aren't a lot to get excited about when the truck posted its all-time high sales just four years earlier in March 2006 with 5,344 trucks leaving the lots. Through March, Ridgeline sales are about 10 percent below last year, foreshadowing a record low in sales in 2010. The Ford Ranger, meanwhile, faced a down year in 2009 with sales off 15 percent but still sold 55,600 copies. For perspective, Honda has sold 189,056 Ridgelines in the five years it's been on the market. Ford sold more than twice as many F-Series trucks in 2009 alone, and sales were down 20 percent that year.

Is there hope on the horizon? Rumor has it the next Dodge/Ram Dakota could be a unibody truck like the Ridgeline. Ford is rumored to be finally considering a next-generation Ranger that, while not unibody, could offer four doors like the Ridgeline. Was the Ridgeline simply too far ahead of its time? This may be the very question kicking around the halls of Honda's headquarters.


In the end, it will likely come down to cost, as most of these decisions do. It is unknown whether Honda has fully paid off its investment in the Ridgeline, though declining sales numbers make it seem unlikely. Either way, a significant redesign on this aging model would be costly, and Honda's experience so far doesn't encourage much hope for the Ridgeline's niche. Can Honda afford to keep building current-generation Ridgelines until Dodge/Ram and Ford make their moves, or will the wait-and-see approach prove too costly?

What do you think Honda should do?
Cut its losses and let the Ridgeline die, or roll the dice on a major redesign in hopes of rekindling the fire? Or, should the company wait out the competition and risk falling behind if the competitors' trucks do catch on? Give us your product plan in the comments below.

Source;
http://wot.motortrend.com/6631468/auto-news/honda-ridgeline-teeters-on-the-edge-what-would-you-do-with-it/index.html

2009 Honda Ridgeline EX-L Navi: Car-like pickup is ready for a road trip

Here's a nice article on the Ridgeline....
Trucks exist that can tow a fifty-foot boat while hauling an ATV, seating five people and leaving enough room behind for a few cases of pop and some fishing gear.

The Honda Ridgeline isn't one of them-- but for the day-to-day tasks many pickup owners face, it offers enormous flexibility, convenience and comfort.

Don't expect it to haul around skids of roofing shingles or crawl down any mountains, and you'll likely find it an ideal tool for both the daily grind and weekend family adventures. For 2009, Honda has updated their pickup with a few visual tweaks and a slight gain in horsepower, too.
It offers towing and payload ratings around 5,000 lbs. and 1,400 lbs. respectively, and there's more than enough interior room for a 4-adult road trip. Cubbies, compartments and cupholders are at reach everywhere, and a massive re-configurable centre console adapts to hold just about anything.

There's even a divided storage area built into the dashboard itself, and no less than 3 power outlets fall within reach of front-seat passengers. Ridgeline's cabin could out shine a top-of-the-line closet organizer any day of the week.

Priced at $43,490, the loaded tester included a sunroof, upgraded stereo, Bluetooth, navigation, a backup camera, and chill-busting heated leather seats.

Topped off with an auxiliary audio input and automatic climate control, no complaints arose from the level of equipment provided for the price.

Honda's engineers have worked to ensure maximum flexibility, comfort and fuel efficiency for Ridgeline drivers, and an extended highway road trip put their efforts to the test.

First, the rear seats flip up and out of the way to reveal a large and almost flat load floor.

Switching between 3 passengers people and, say, 1 passenger and a bookshelf takes just seconds. Plenty of room is available, though one occupant noted that rear seats were a touch too stiff and flat for napping on the go.

In back, Ridgeline's bed has a generous trunk beneath it that will readily swallow a couple of pack-sacks or some luggage. It's lockable, drainable and weather-proof, too.

The tailgate is even hinged at both the bottom and the side, allowing it to open flat or to the left depending on the task at hand. The word 'clever' comes up often here.

A relatively short wheelbase means Ridgeline isn't the smoothest-riding truck on the market, though it rolls without the heavy, jiggly sensation bigger pickups exhibit on rough roads. There's an easygoing and very car-like ride at work here, albeit a sometimes-stiff one.

Wind and road noise levels at speed are within limits, highway mileage cruising at around 115 km/h averaged between 11 and 12L / 100km. City mileage can jump to over 14L / 100km, partially at the hands of an aggressively-tuned five-speed automatic that's reluctant to shift up.

Ridgeline's 3.5 liter V6 delivers a strong intake note, operates with a great deal of smoothness, and delivers adequate thrust in nearly any situation. Listen closely, and you'll even hear the VTEC system engaging at about 4,200 RPM when the engine is pushed.

The V6 is the only engine option available-- so if 250 ponies aren't enough for your driveway, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Honda's Variable Torque Management (VTM) 4x4 system splits engine power between the axles automatically, running as a front-wheel drive until wheelspin kicks the rear axle into play. Traction is plentiful, automatic and seamless in any normal situation, though a 'lock' function can preemptively engage all four wheels when the going gets extra tough.

Getting sucked into some slop? Just feed in some more throttle to get the tires spinning themselves clear. With the snappy engine, intelligent traction and a good set of tires, Ridgeline is happy to play ball off of the beaten path as required.

Of course, it's built off of a unibody platform, like a car. This enables the appreciable comfort levels, but at the expense of a genuinely rugged and beefy 'big truck' feel off the beaten path. The Ridgeline is plenty capable, but it can feel a bit too much like a car when the terrain beneath deteriorates.

It's a matter of priorities after all, and most Ridgeline owners probably aren't looking at much serious off-road duty anyhow.

Ultimately, this isn't a Dodge Ram Hemi when it comes to horsepower or a Ford F150 where towing is concerned. However, if you value efficiency and versatility and you've got a pickup in your sights, the Ridgeline's got you in its sights, too.

Source;
http://www.canadaeast.com/wheels/article/666417

Pimped out Honda Ridgeline

Stumbled across this pic and I thought that some of you might get a kick out of it.

Koichi Kondo to Automotive News: Next Ridgeline will focus more on fuel efficiency

In a small blurb in this week's issue (October 13, 2008) of Automotive News, Honda Executive VP Koichi Kondo is quoted as saying that development on the next generation Ridgeline will place a greater emphasis upon fuel economy, saying about the Ridgeline "It's a very nice concept, a very nice car. But the sales aren't so successful."

The Ridgeline has struggled to meet Honda's initial targets of 50000 annual units, and through September of this year, sales are off by 17.9% from 2007's figures. According to the story in Automotive News, Kondo thinks that the Ridgeline is functionally very competitive, but a tangible advantage in terms of fuel economy will help it stand out further from its competition. The current EPA numbers of 15mpg city and 20mpg don't exactly live up to the V6-only, unibody framed Ridgeline's original promise of a fuel economy advantage over other trucks.

The Ridgeline debuted in early 2005 as a 2006 model and received a minor refresh for the 2009 model year.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=794652

2009 Ridgeline Changes

2009 Honda Ridgeline

-revised grille, bumpers, headlight design, taillight design and wheel design.

-3.5-liter VTEC V-6 produces 250 horsepower @ 5700 rpm (+3 hp) and 247 lb-ft. @ 4000 rpm (+2 lb-ft.); broader torque band improves at lower rpms by as much as 10 lb-ft. @ 2500 rpm

-More aggressive camshaft profile and larger intake valves

-Dual-stage magnesium intake manifold

-Higher-flow rate high-mount cold air intake

-Heavy-duty starter motor (benefits faster starting)

-All forward transmission gear ratios are lower (additional engine torque for more responsive acceleration).

-Two additional bed tie downs (for a total of eight)

-Active front seat head restraints

-3D-look speedometer, tachometer and related meters

-Cruise control main switch moved from the instrument panel to the steering wheel

-HVAC controls and meters are more clear with larger icons

-Integrated Class III trailer hitch

-Power lumbar support (EX-L and up? Maybe Value Added Package).

-Mp3 playback capablility

-MP3/auxiliary input jack (Value Added Package? and up).

-18-inch alloy wheel (up from 17-inch) (EX-L and up)

-Carpeted floor mats

-115-volt power outlet (EX-L and up)

-Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition, rearview camera and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink

-Fog Lights (EX-L and up)

Trim Levels

Ridgeline DX

Ridgeline VP (Value Added Pkg)

Ridgeline EX-L (All leather models may come with a Sunroof now)

Ridgeline EX-L SR? (didn't see this in the model matrix)

Ridgeline EX-L Navigation

Source; Honda Canada, vtec.net

Here's a link to an article on the changes;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/08/2009-honda-ridgeline-facelift-gets.html

2009 Honda Ridgeline Spied!

Looks alot like the 2009 Honda Pilot front grill, look-an integrated hitch! More info. to come....

Source; http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-ridgeline-2009.html

Ridgeline Expected to Recieve a Substantial Facelift for 2009

No, it's not going to look quite like the above vehicle, I just happen to love the kit that is on this 2006 Honda Ridgline.

This is an apparent spyshot of the revised Ridgeline, I won't bother posting the rear shot, it's identical to the current version and will probably change as of release time sometime in the next month or so.

Vtec.net reports from an anonymous source that;

"the MMC is in fact taking place during model year 2009, and it will be appearing in showrooms sometime in July. Honda has reportedly informed its dealers that the Ridgeline has gone through a "large scale, minor-model change (MMC)". A "bolder look" is promised, along with "integrated towing features" and several new accessories. Styling improvements are said to have been executed to both the front and the rear of the vehicle. New features coming to the RTL model include 18" wheels and a rear-view camera. Also coming are two additional bed tie downs, daytime running lights (DRL), and a hitch integrated into the rear bumper. Interior enhancements are also coming, and a new soft tonneau cover will be offered."