| Angus |
| Does anyone know if Acura will produce a high-end pickup truck based on the Honda Ridgeline? I think it would be a great idea and can go toe to toe with the new Lincoln LT and Cadillac pickup truck. |
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| Echo2625 |
quote:
Originally posted by Angus
Does anyone know if Acura will produce a high-end pickup truck based on the Honda Ridgeline? I think it would be a great idea and can go toe to toe with the new Lincoln LT and Cadillac pickup truck.
My guess is no but the Ridgline might be the basis for the future X?? |
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| Angus |
| I am pretty certain it will be the basis for the next X, but how cool would it be for Acura to have a luxury pickup truck? Acura treatment would work wonders to improve the sideview and backend of it. |
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| eurohazard |
My personal opinion is Acura might make an Acura version. Though I doubt it would really compete against the Lincoln or Cadillac though. People who buy those rides wouldn't think of cross shopping to unibody non-V8 having "tucklet". You can't put 26" wheels on the Ridgline! ;)
Also I think you guys are giving the Ridgeline too much credit for being a "new" platform. I think the Honda Ridgeline is based on the current MDX/Pilot platform. Am I wrong on this? |
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| Angus |
| The platform for the Ridgeline is a heavily modified version. As much as 70-90% of it is brand new, so it is essentially a new platform. I do think they would cross-shop for a Acura pickup. Look at the inroads the X, Pilot, TL, etc...have made into markets that were dominated by V8s. And yes, the Ridgeline will accept 20" wheels with no problem. Ckeck out the Tirerack.com. |
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| Jaybeedee |
Honda is "looking" at building a larger truck in the future. They know that the current truck is being purchased by "Honda" owners, not die-hard pick-up truck buyers. The current 'Honda owner' was their targeted market anyway.
But this bigger truck is pretty far into the future, as we consider '07 and '08 as near future, and '07 is the model year for the redesigned X. |
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| MacJag |
| Based on the success and loyality of MDX owners I can't imagine that the Honda Ridgeline will be the basis for a redesigned X, if that's the case I'm glad I bought an '05. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by Jaybeedee
Honda is "looking" at building a larger truck in the future. They know that the current truck is being purchased by "Honda" owners, not die-hard pick-up truck buyers. The current 'Honda owner' was their targeted market anyway.
But this bigger truck is pretty far into the future, as we consider '07 and '08 as near future, and '07 is the model year for the redesigned X.
There almost certainly is a shared chassis then. Otherwise why would they wait to bring a bigger truck to market. I apologize in advance to Honda loyalists but there's just no comparison between the toy Ridgeline and the Tundra. |
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| eurohazard |
quote:
I do think they would cross-shop for a Acura pickup. Look at the inroads the X, Pilot, TL, etc...have made into markets that were dominated by V8s. And yes, the Ridgeline will accept 20" wheels with no problem.
I'm sure there are a few people who would cross shop. My original statement may have been misleading. Rappers, sports stars, and thug-gangter wannabees will make up a large portion of Escalade and Lincoln LT buyers. And a big chunk of those buyers will opt for big rims.....not 20" rims, but 24" to 26" wheels. This is the demographic I had in mind when I made my previous comment. |
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| hondacuraworld |
| It's easy for an automaker to lose their identity among the offerings of new and different types of vehicles. Lincoln's offerings of late leave me guessing who exactly buys them. It may just be the demographic that Eurohazard was talking about, because when it comes down to nuts and bolts, the very idea of a high-end pickup truck is a paradox, simply because somebody who'd want a $60,000 vehicle that can haul plywood are going to either want a tough truck, have a second vehicle to prevent the other one from getting beat up in pickup service, or simply have somebody else to do the work in the first place. |
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| Angus |
| I don't agree. I think a high-30 to low- 40 thousand dollar Acura pickup truck based on the Ridgeline would sell well. How many times have we all have bought a large item, (toolbox, large plasma tv, etc..) that just doesn't quite fit in the back of the X. It would in a Acura pickup truck and it still would be the best riding, handling 'pickup truck' on the market. |
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| Ceenit |
Rich,
If logic were to prevail in all truck purchases, I would agree. But given the success of H2, Escalades, and other high end trucks that are rarely used for utility, there's probably buyers for an Acura pickup.
That said however, I'll be curious of the durability and real off road worthiness of potential Honda/Acura pickup models. Honda/Acura makes great engines, but the durability of their suspensions and transmissions in the heavy duty market is still up for debate.
I may have missed it, but I pray that Honda used something other that the standard Pilot/MDX transmission. While it may be ok for everyday driving, it is not what I would want to be using if I had too pull lots of heavy loads. |
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| Angus |
| You will be happy to learn that the transmission HAS been upgraded and made heavy duty with a ATF cooler so it can tow 5000 pounds without the transmission failing. I have included a pic of a Rideline that was recently purchased by a fellow member @HondaRidgeline SUT forums. |
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| Angus |
| Here is a front pic: |
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| rvehock |
| Does'nt look like it has that much ground clearance???????????? |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by Angus
You will be happy to learn that the transmission HAS been upgraded and made heavy duty with a ATF cooler so it can tow 5000 pounds without the transmission failing.
The MDX's original transmission, and the current Pilot's transmission, were both "beefed up" versions of the transmissions in older TL's and Odysseys. While that beefing up seems to have helped the 2001-2002 escape the same transmission problem rate of the other vehicles, they've not been unscathed.
Thus while the Ridgeline has an upgraded transmission, I'd still wonder if it has "real pickup" durability. 5,000 pounds towing capability is more than enough for most buyers, but that's not that high for pickups in this size class.
Only time will tell.
I don't think Acura needs to make a version of the Ridgeline. I think the market is fairly limited and Acura wouldn't be able to differentiate their version to justify the extra price tag. Acura is more about performance and value than it is about luxury. So pimping out the Ridgeline wouldn't work. The Ridgeline is already a great value.
I'd rather that Acura sink their limited capital investment dollars into producing a better next-gen MDX, and better sport sedans and the small SUV coming out. |
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| ScoobyT |
quote:
Originally posted by Angus
You will be happy to learn that the transmission HAS been upgraded and made heavy duty with a ATF cooler so it can tow 5000 pounds without the transmission failing. I have included a pic of a Rideline that was recently purchased by a fellow member @HondaRidgeline SUT forums.
Are thoes the taillights from the 04+ X turned upside down? |
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| eurohazard |
quote:
Are those the taillights from the 04+ X turned upside down?
Holy crap...you're right. They look like it huh? That's funny. I knew the 1st gen Dodge Durango used the same taillight assembly as the minivan for cost saving measures......I never thought Honda would do that too. |
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| pisay87 |
quote:
Originally posted by ScoobyT
Are thoes the taillights from the 04+ X turned upside down?
Good observation! I'm also wondering if those running boards are the same as the ones in the MDX/Pilot. Anyways, IMO the exterior design of this truck reminds me of the Chevy Avalanche and the grill is fugly. :) |
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| ScoobyT |
| Wonder if this is the general direction of future X. if yes,count me out. If Iwanted a Chevy id be on a different forum. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by pisay87
and the grill is fugly. :)
Well, that's one thing on my list of fugly design on the Ridgeline. |
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| eurohazard |
| Here's a close-up of the Ridgeline tail light. The shape is very close, if not identical. But clearly it's not just an Acura MDX tail light installed upside down. |
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| eurohazard |
| Here's a 2005 MDX tail light.....sorry for the crappy "blown up" image........but you get the idea! |
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| dj-mdx2 |
| Dunno if anybody's noticed but the Pilot tail lights are kinda the same shape: |
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| nightguy |
| One other thing that's maybe not so ergonomic - I wonder how many people will scrape the fender flares with a fuel nozzle when they take it out. :eek: |
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| Angus |
| Everybody if FORGETTING that when Acura produced its first SUV based on the....Isuzu Tooper of all vehicles, the market said Acura would never sell enough to justify its cost of investment. Here we are on 2005 and the X sells like hotcakes as does the Pilot, CR-V, etc... If Honda wants to break new ground they will with very high success rate. I think an Acura pickup would be great and NO not 'a pimped out one'. Everybody is forgetting that owners of Cadillac and Lincoln pickup trucks are NOT using them the way traditional pickup trucks were used in the past. The size of a Ridgeline is closer to a midsize pickup truck and the 5000 pound tow rating is right on par with its segement and class. Guys use your heads! Go down to a Honda dealership and take a look at one, I did and fell in love with it and want a Acura version to come out. If it does, so long to the X, even though I love it. |
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| nightguy |
quote:
Originally posted by Angus
Everybody if FORGETTING that when Acura produced its first SUV based on the....Isuzu Tooper of all vehicles, the market said Acura would never sell enough to justify its cost of investment. Here we are on 2005 and the X sells like hotcakes as does the Pilot, CR-V, etc... If Honda wants to break new ground they will with very high success rate. I think an Acura pickup would be great and NO not 'a pimped out one'. Everybody is forgetting that owners of Cadillac and Lincoln pickup trucks are NOT using them the way traditional pickup trucks were used in the past. The size of a Ridgeline is closer to a midsize pickup truck and the 5000 pound tow rating is right on par with its segement and class. Guys use your heads! Go down to a Honda dealership and take a look at one, I did and fell in love with it and want a Acura version to come out. If it does, so long to the X, even though I love it.
If they build an Acura I hope they can put a few more bucks into it. The whole thing felt really cheap. The seat was uncomfortable and the steering wheel seems like it doesn't really come to the driver from the cheap dash. Poor visibility at best out the sides because of the . At least you'll be able to see with the rearview mirror because nobody will want to sit on the barely cushioned rear seats. What is the goofy huge metallic thing by the door handle ? I really felt like I was in a Geo Tracker. The towing capacity is probably for a boat. The spec. of 4500 max. for the MDX is for a boat.
I looked up the Ridgeline's specs and noticed some similarities between it and the vehicle we all love so much. A lot of the differences can probably be attributed to the difference in style.
Ridgeline/MDX
Dimensions
Exterior
Length: 206.8 in. /188.7
Width: 76.3 in./ 77
Height: 70.3 in. / 71.3
Ground Clearance: 8.2 in./ 8
Wheel Base: 122in. / 106.3
Curb Weight: 4498 lbs./ 4504
Gross Weight: 6050 lbs. / 5798
Interior
Front Head Room: 40.7 in./ 38.4
Front Hip Room: 57.6 in./ 56.9
Rear Head Room: 39.1 in./ 39
Rear Shoulder Room: 62.6 in./ 61.1
Rear Hip Room: 57.2 in. / 56.3
Front Leg Room: 40.8 in. / 41.5
Rear Leg Room: 36.4 in. 37.8
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 9 cu. ft. / 82
Maximum Seating: 5 / 7
Performance Data
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 / 6
Base Engine Size: 3.5 liters / 3.5
Base Engine Type: V6 / V6
Horsepower: 255 hp / 265
Max Horsepower: 5750 rpm / 5800 rpm
Torque: 252 ft-lbs. / 253
Max Torque: 4500 rpm / 3500
Maximum Payload: 1554 lbs. / 1288
Maximum Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs. / 4500
Drive Type: AWD/ AWD
Turning Circle: 42.6 ft. / 38
Fuel Data
Fuel Tank Capacity: 22 gal. / 20.4
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Automatic: : 16 mpg / 21 mpg / 17/23
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 352 mi. / 462 mi. / 346.8/ 469.2 |
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| wmquan |
quote:
Originally posted by Angus
Everybody if FORGETTING that when Acura produced its first SUV based on the....Isuzu Tooper of all vehicles, the market said Acura would never sell enough to justify its cost of investment. Here we are on 2005 and the X sells like hotcakes as does the Pilot, CR-V, etc...
I'll respectfully disagree. I don't think we're forgetting. The Isuzu Trooper rebadge didn't sell well at all and was a me-too product.
Acura's SUV sales didn't take off until they developed their own SUV, the MDX. By the time Acura released the MDX, there was already a hot, established, luxury nameplate, SUV market. Lexus had one (actually, more than one). Mercedes-Benz had created the category, and had one. BMW had one. Infiniti was struggling with one. Acura "came late to the SUV party," but did very well because of great design and value.
Now, as far as a luxury pickup. Let's forget about mass-market losers like Lincoln and Cadillac. Where's the Lexus pickup? Where's the Mercedes-Benz pickup? Where's the BMW pickup? Where's the Infiniti pickup? Where's the market?
Honda is a very conservative company and doesn't seem to mind entering a market late, since they've proven that they can overtake the established competitors by offering a great product. The market for a luxury pickup is apparently very limited, so much so that a maker like Toyota hasn't yet introduced a luxury pickup under the Lexus nameplate. Perhaps one is forthcoming. But I'm sure there'll have to be significant market growth for Honda to enter this limited arena. |
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