2006 Honda Ridgeline - Honda Forum / Acura Forum

divinewisdom · 11-02-2004, 02:21 PM

Torrance, Calif. 11/02/2004 --

Honda's all-new 4-door, 4WD truck will be named the "Ridgeline" when it goes on-sale at Honda dealerships nationwide in Spring 2005 as a 2006 model. The Honda Ridgeline is a next-generation truck that takes the utility and versatility of an open bed truck and adds a new dimension of dynamic performance, integrated styling and packaging efficiency previously unattainable in traditional body-on-frame trucks. The Ridgeline name was chosen to emphasize the vehicle's adventurous spirit and truck capabilities.

American Honda announced the Ridgeline name at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, where it displayed an updated concept version of the truck with a new paint scheme, revised suspension and new wheel and tire package. The production Ridgeline will make its world debut at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January.

"The growing market for aftermarket truck parts and accessories makes SEMA the perfect place to announce the Ridgeline name," said Dan Bonawitz, vice president in charge of corporate planning for American Honda. "The Ridgeline will make a great platform for customization and we think that people are going to be truly surprised by the capabilities of this new Honda truck."

The Ridgeline takes advantage of the industry's first fully integrated, closed-box frame with unibody construction to deliver superior ride, handling and packaging efficiency along with half-ton payload capacity and significantly stronger body rigidity versus traditional body-on-frame trucks. For hauling, the Ridgeline features a five-foot bed with minimal wheel arch intrusion and is designed to carry a wide variety of cargo including two of Honda's largest off-road motorcycles, the CRF450. Inside, the Ridgeline will feature a spacious, full-size, five-passenger interior in a more maneuverable and garageable mid-size truck package. Utilizing a four-wheel independent suspension mounted to a highly rigid body, the Ridgeline will deliver superior handling and ride comfort versus other trucks in its class.

Combining next generation truck performance and environmental responsibility, Ridgeline will be powered by 3.5-liter, high-output, V-6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with a fully automatic 4-wheel drive system and a long list of standard safety features including 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control. Complete details on the Ridgeline's innovative new approach to the truck market will be available at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in January.

Additional media information and media photography is available at www.hondanews.com. Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.

honda

HanSOLio · 11-02-2004, 04:48 PM

eww the front of that thing is hideous i know hondas lately take some getting used too but i dont think ill ever get used to that.

Samurai_X · 11-02-2004, 05:24 PM

interesting name choice

Midi_Amp · 11-02-2004, 07:34 PM

Is the design done by Honda Japan or Honda America? Still too weird, but that picture looks so much like the concept shown at various motor show... The spied production pics features less lines and simpler headlights.

Honda... Accord, Civic, CR-V, Insight, S2000, Element... Ridgeline... Strange.. It's not catchy enough for me. I prefer SU-T (Sport Utility Truck) than the Ridgeline.

mikey1516 · 11-03-2004, 11:20 AM

its ok.. looks to box'y

h22accordvtec · 11-03-2004, 03:28 PM

I just got back from the SEMA Show and I saw the ridgeline upclose. they had a plexiglass border around it so that you cant climb into it but you can open the doors a little to get a better look inside.

The overall exterior look isn't that bad. The bed is alittle short but has great features like the integrated lights and tiedown hooks. And since there is really no wheel arch I'm sure runs to Home Depot to pick up plywood wont be difficult.

The interior looks really nice. There is good seating room front and back. The only thing I see wrong with the seating arangements is they could have made the front middle section a jump seat so the Ridgeline could be a six seater but instead they put this metal consol which is flush with the seats anyways, and regular non-storage armrests that can be lifted up.

There were alot of accessories that can be purchased for the Ridgeline which would make a capable truck even more capable. So Overall I think the Ridgeline will be a great addition to the Honda Lineup. Honda has needed a truck in its lineup and hopefully this statisfies the need.