2016 Honda Ridgeline

Spied: 2016 Honda Ridgeline



"It's been several months since we've seen sketches from Honda about what the new 2016 Ridgeline will look like, but the midsize pickup truck looks to be in the final stages of tow testing. Our spies have been hot on the trail of the elusive, more conventional-looking next-generation Ridgeline, and they were able to catch the fully camouflaged Honda next to one of its main competitors, the Chevrolet Colorado. Here's their report:"

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"We've just gotten our first close-up look at Honda's next Ridgeline pickup, caught testing on rural public roads.

"Until today, all of our encounters with Ridgeline prototypes have been through a very long lens, giving us only a marginal look at the test trucks. Now we've gotten a proper set of spy shots giving us a good feel for the grille, headlights and overall front-end design. The profile and rear views are consistent with earlier teaser shots promising a more traditional truck shape compared to the off-beat look of the original Ridgeline.

"Today's run-in with this prototype also included a new Ford F-150 and a silver Chevrolet Colorado pickup pulling a boat.

"In one of our earlier long-range Ridgeline shots, the 2016 prototype was running nose-to-tail with the first-generation model, allowing an excellent opportunity to gauge the general size of the long-awaited second-generation model. From what we can tell, the footprint of the new Ridgeline will be very similar to the original model. The evidence generated by these first shots seems to suggest that the new Ridgeline will continue to use some of the unibody platform of the 2016 Honda Pilot, instead of a smaller, CR-V-based pickup.

"Our sources tell us to expect powertrains using Honda's Earth Dreams efficiency technologies. There was some speculation that a continuously variable transmission could be in play, but given the apparent Pilot-based architecture and tow testing of the new truck, that seems unlikely. We are told to look out for the possible inclusion of Honda's new Super Handling-All Wheel Drive hybrid system developed for larger vehicles, which would give the smaller pickup significant traction and driving dynamics. That could be added to give some technological uniqueness in a crowded and competitive landscape."

PickupTrucks.com

To bad it's crew cab .

Honda will most likely only be offering a crew cab, though it should be a much better looking and conventionally styled truck than the current generation (hopefully).

Spied: 2016 Honda Ridgeline

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Our stealthy photographers have caught the most revealing spy shots to date of the all-new Honda Ridgeline that show the cleanest design details so far. Looking much like a creative extended-cab pickup truck, the Ridgeline will likely be based off a modified version of the all-new Honda Pilot, sharing many of the latter's powertrain and safety features. Here's what our photogs had to say.

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"The next-gen Honda Ridgeline has dropped its heavy camouflage and has hit the road in nothing more than a body-hugging graphic wrap, giving us our most-revealing look by far at the revamped midsize pickup.

"The less-camouflaged prototypes caught testing close-up on public roads reveal numerous new design details that have been applied to the second-generation Ridgeline pickup. While the Ridgeline adopts a much more conventional pickup profile, these new prototypes reveal what appears to be at least a nod to the first generation's unique C-pillar design. While the new production-spec prototypes don't have anything close to the 'flying buttress' treatment found on the original Ridgeline, the second-gen models are seen to have a unique 'hooded' treatment to the C-pillar and backlight, something not found on any U.S. market truck design today.

"Additionally, we managed to get an elevated look at the Ridgeline prototype, revealing elements of its bed design, which can be seen to include lighting set within the bedliner.

"Honda's Baja concept shown at the recent 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show was inspired by elements of the Ridgeline; unfortunately, it told us very little regarding the upcoming production model beyond solid hints at the headlight and grille treatment. Clearly, these production-spec prototypes now running on public roads are much more informative.

"The reimagined Ridgeline caught here represents Honda's second attempt at the U.S. truck market, and it's now clearly aimed more at the mainstream than Honda's original effort. The midsize truck market is in the midst of being reinvigorated with an influx of new and updated offerings from many nameplates. The Ridgeline looks to be aimed squarely at GM's Colorado/Canyon twins and the Toyota Tacoma, aiming at the lighter-duty end of that spectrum."

PickupTrucks.com