MONTREAL (January 13, 2005) - The Honda Ridgeline truck made its Canadian debut today at the 2005 Montreal International Auto Show. It is scheduled to go on sale in Canada in April as a 2006 model.
Developed to appeal to a new generation of truck buyers, the Ridgeline takes advantage of an innovative new body construction and boasts the pickup truck segment's first four-wheel, fully independent suspension system to deliver superior ride, handling and packaging efficiency along with half-ton payload capacity and a number of innovative new features, including the industry's first In-Bed Trunk.
Highlights of the new Ridgeline truck include:
.New fully-integrated truck frame with unitized body construction
.Integrated cab and bed
.Half-ton bed with "In-Bed Trunk" and "Dual Action" tailgate
.First pickup with fully independent rear suspension
.Full-size interior in mid-size platform
.Standard "Safety for Everyone" features (VSA, ABS, side curtain airbags)
.First 50-state and Canada ULEV pickup truck
For hauling, the Ridgeline features a steel reinforced, five-foot, composite truck bed (6.5 feet with the tailgate down) designed to carry up to a half-ton of cargo. Designed as the hub for Honda motorcycle, marine and power equipment product activity, the Ridgeline can haul a full-size ATV or two of Honda's largest off-road motorcycles. Due to its wide bed and minimal wheel arch intrusion, the Ridgeline can also carry 4-foot wide sheets of building material flat on the floor, something no other compact or mid-size truck can do.
Incorporated into the floor of the bed is the Ridgeline's innovative In-Bed Trunk. Accessed by lifting up the hinged rear portion of the bed floor, the In-Bed Trunk features 241-litres of secure, lockable and waterproof storage space - large enough to hold a 69-litre stadium cooler, three sets of golf clubs or a wide variety of other cargo. Making access to the trunk and bed even easier is the Ridgeline's Dual Action Tailgate that is hinged at the bottom and side for both drop-down and swing-out operation.
With a total payload capacity of 1550-pounds (703 kg), the Ridgeline exceeds the hauling capabilities of some full-size trucks. In addition, the Ridgeline was designed to handle the kinds of towing and off-road duties most common to recreational truck users. This includes the ability to tow 5,000-pound (2,268 kg) loads along with two passengers and 175-pounds (79 kg) of cargo without the need for any extra-cost towing add-ons.
Inside, the Ridgeline boasts a spacious, five-passenger cabin with interior space similar to that of a full-size truck, including the most generous rear seat legroom for a four-door pickup. The versatile second-row bench has space enough under the seat for storing a set of golf clubs and features a 60/40-split folding seat bottom allowing for storage of even bulkier items like a full-size mountain bike.
Due to its packaging efficiency, the Ridgeline delivers all this space and utility in a more maneuverable and garage-friendly mid-size truck package. Other interior highlights include large and easy to manipulate audio and climate controls, a steering-column mounted shift lever and an available bilingual voice-activated navigation system.
Combining next generation truck performance and environmental responsibility, the Ridgeline will be powered by a 255-horsepower, 3.5-litre, high-output V-6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission with a fully automatic Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4WD) for excellent all-weather handling, stability and off-road ability. Special features, including a unique fresh air intake system, are applied to handle the greater hauling and towing needs of truck buyers.
In keeping with Honda's industry-leading "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all Ridgeline models will come equipped with a long list of standard safety features including 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control. The Ridgeline is also the first pickup to meet stringent Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) standards in all 50 States and Canada.
Total design and development of the Ridgeline was done by Honda R&D Americas' Ohio and Los Angeles Centres. The Ridgeline is Honda R&D Americas' fourth light truck development following the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot and Honda Element. Production of the Ridgeline will begin later this month at Honda of Canada Manufacturing. This is the fourth exclusive new light truck model launch by Honda's Alliston, Ontario, plant beginning with the previous generation Odyssey and followed by the MDX and Pilot.
The Ridgeline will be available in three well-equipped trim levels, the LX, EX-L and EX-L Navi. Standard features on all models will include VTM-4WD; Vehicle Stability Assist with rollover sensor; side curtain airbags; ABS; power windows, mirrors and locks; air conditioning; cruise control; In-Bed Trunk; and towing package.
Pricing will range from the mid-$30,000's for the base model to the mid-$40,000's with an available moonroof and satellite navigation. The 2006 model year volume is expected to exceed 3,000 units.
Developed to appeal to a new generation of truck buyers, the Ridgeline takes advantage of an innovative new body construction and boasts the pickup truck segment's first four-wheel, fully independent suspension system to deliver superior ride, handling and packaging efficiency along with half-ton payload capacity and a number of innovative new features, including the industry's first In-Bed Trunk.
Highlights of the new Ridgeline truck include:
.New fully-integrated truck frame with unitized body construction
.Integrated cab and bed
.Half-ton bed with "In-Bed Trunk" and "Dual Action" tailgate
.First pickup with fully independent rear suspension
.Full-size interior in mid-size platform
.Standard "Safety for Everyone" features (VSA, ABS, side curtain airbags)
.First 50-state and Canada ULEV pickup truck
For hauling, the Ridgeline features a steel reinforced, five-foot, composite truck bed (6.5 feet with the tailgate down) designed to carry up to a half-ton of cargo. Designed as the hub for Honda motorcycle, marine and power equipment product activity, the Ridgeline can haul a full-size ATV or two of Honda's largest off-road motorcycles. Due to its wide bed and minimal wheel arch intrusion, the Ridgeline can also carry 4-foot wide sheets of building material flat on the floor, something no other compact or mid-size truck can do.
Incorporated into the floor of the bed is the Ridgeline's innovative In-Bed Trunk. Accessed by lifting up the hinged rear portion of the bed floor, the In-Bed Trunk features 241-litres of secure, lockable and waterproof storage space - large enough to hold a 69-litre stadium cooler, three sets of golf clubs or a wide variety of other cargo. Making access to the trunk and bed even easier is the Ridgeline's Dual Action Tailgate that is hinged at the bottom and side for both drop-down and swing-out operation.
With a total payload capacity of 1550-pounds (703 kg), the Ridgeline exceeds the hauling capabilities of some full-size trucks. In addition, the Ridgeline was designed to handle the kinds of towing and off-road duties most common to recreational truck users. This includes the ability to tow 5,000-pound (2,268 kg) loads along with two passengers and 175-pounds (79 kg) of cargo without the need for any extra-cost towing add-ons.
Inside, the Ridgeline boasts a spacious, five-passenger cabin with interior space similar to that of a full-size truck, including the most generous rear seat legroom for a four-door pickup. The versatile second-row bench has space enough under the seat for storing a set of golf clubs and features a 60/40-split folding seat bottom allowing for storage of even bulkier items like a full-size mountain bike.
Due to its packaging efficiency, the Ridgeline delivers all this space and utility in a more maneuverable and garage-friendly mid-size truck package. Other interior highlights include large and easy to manipulate audio and climate controls, a steering-column mounted shift lever and an available bilingual voice-activated navigation system.
Combining next generation truck performance and environmental responsibility, the Ridgeline will be powered by a 255-horsepower, 3.5-litre, high-output V-6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission with a fully automatic Variable Torque Management 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4WD) for excellent all-weather handling, stability and off-road ability. Special features, including a unique fresh air intake system, are applied to handle the greater hauling and towing needs of truck buyers.
In keeping with Honda's industry-leading "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all Ridgeline models will come equipped with a long list of standard safety features including 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, side curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control. The Ridgeline is also the first pickup to meet stringent Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) standards in all 50 States and Canada.
Total design and development of the Ridgeline was done by Honda R&D Americas' Ohio and Los Angeles Centres. The Ridgeline is Honda R&D Americas' fourth light truck development following the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot and Honda Element. Production of the Ridgeline will begin later this month at Honda of Canada Manufacturing. This is the fourth exclusive new light truck model launch by Honda's Alliston, Ontario, plant beginning with the previous generation Odyssey and followed by the MDX and Pilot.
The Ridgeline will be available in three well-equipped trim levels, the LX, EX-L and EX-L Navi. Standard features on all models will include VTM-4WD; Vehicle Stability Assist with rollover sensor; side curtain airbags; ABS; power windows, mirrors and locks; air conditioning; cruise control; In-Bed Trunk; and towing package.
Pricing will range from the mid-$30,000's for the base model to the mid-$40,000's with an available moonroof and satellite navigation. The 2006 model year volume is expected to exceed 3,000 units.