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Laguna Honda Philanthropy :: Laguna Honda lagunahonda.org |
The Honda Ridgeline is a mid to full size sport utility truck produced by the Japanese automaker Honda. The Ridgeline was released in March 2005 as a 2006 model and is Honda's intended first foray into the North American pickup truck market. Until 2009, the Ridgeline was built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada alongside the Acura MDX, Honda Civic, Honda Civic Si, and Acura CSX. The Ridgeline was awarded Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for 2006. The Ridgeline is the only car-based pickup in the United States and Canada.
[edit] First Generation (2006-present)[edit] Unibody architectureThe Honda Ridgeline uses unibody architecture ladder frame/unibody hybrid chassis. Honda claims this design gives it 2.5 times more bending rigidity and 20 times the torsional rigidity than the standard ladder frame only type of chassis construction, while retaining the load carrying capacity of the traditional ladder frame. [edit] Independent rear suspensionThe truck also boasts four-wheel independent suspension which, coupled with the unibody design, provides a new level of stable and sure handling under load well beyond that which could be achieved with older platforms. [edit] A pickup with a trunkAnother advantage of the independent suspension is that it opened up enough space for Honda to create the first pickup truck to include a storage trunk below the bed, which can be locked to secure contents such as a tool chest. This creates the unfortunate problem of having to remove most of the bed contents (a serious problem when hauling top soil or other granular materials) to change a flat tire, as the spare is located in this trunk though an adapter to fit the spare tire to the sidewall of the truck bed is available. This removes the spare tire from the trunk. The bed also comes standard with a composite liner that resists dents, corrosion, and can easily be hosed clean. The trunk has drainage holes to allow wash water to flow out. [edit] Dual action tailgateIt became clear to designers that a lowered tailgate created too long a reach for a consumer to get into the trunk. However, the relatively short bed was built with a lowered tailgate acting as an extension in mind, so a conventional tailgate action was not dismissible. Engineers met this challenge with the first dual action tailgate in a pickup. It was preceded by the tailgate used in the 1966 Ford Country Squire station wagon, as well as the tailgate used in the 2003 GMC Envoy XUV. To aid access to the trunk, the Ridgeline features a dual hinged tailgate, which in addition to opening conventionally in a downward motion that can handle a load in the horizontal open position, can also be swung to the side like an actual door, allowing a consumer to stand straight up at the rear bumper and reach down into the trunk with ease. The bed is integrated with the body, similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche. It is rated as having a 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) towing capacity and a 1,500 lb (680 kg) bed capacity Honda says that as a result of market research they concluded that a truck with robust yet medium-duty off-road capability was most consistent with the needs of the customer. [edit] Equipment  Anti-lock brakes, heated windshield, four wheel drive locking mode, and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) with off switch (for off- road use), and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment. The Ridgeline also has a large rear seat with the ability to fold-up creating a floor to ceiling cargo space. Four trim levels are available: basic RT, RTX, sport RTS and premium RTL (with optional moonroof or moonroof and GPS Navigation). The RTX, introduced with the 2007 model, adds gray-painted alloy wheels, an alternate grille, body-colored door handles, and factory tow package. The RTS offers different upholstery material and adds a 6-CD changer, subwoofer, body-colored mirrors, silver-painted alloy wheels, and dual zone climate control system. The RTL adds leather trimmed upholstery, and for the 2007 model year, a moonroof and XM radio are standard on the RTL. The Ridgeline has received a facelift for the 2009 model year. [edit] Honda's 4WD traction systemThe Ridgeline is powered by a transversely mounted J35A91, (2006-2008) J35Z5, (2009-????) 3.5 L V6 with a five and six speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive system operates in front-wheel drive mode under normal conditions and automatically transfers power to either rear wheel via a locking differential when it senses a loss of traction in the front. The VTM-4 system can be locked in first, second or reverse gears at speeds under 18 mph (29 km/h). The VTM-4 lock (rear diff lock) works in full rear power mode up until 6 mph (9.7 km/h) then it gradually transitions to power to the front and releases the VTM-4 lock at 18 mph (29 km/h)[1] [2]. The all-wheel drive system has been tested on and has completed the following obstacle course by Honda engineers. The list of test courses includes: 28-degree dirt hill, Sand hill, Water pit, Rock roads, Embedded log course, Step-up, step-down, Sand drag strip, Gully course, Ground contact course, Washboard road, Frame twister, Power hop hill (23-degree slope with rippled surface), Gravel road, Startable grade, The Honda Ridgeline Won the Baja 1000 (November 6) in the Stock Mini Class. All vehicles in the Stock Mini Class compete with a stock engine, transmission and 4WD system.[3] [edit] Awards
[edit] Marketing and salesAlthough the Ridgeline is more aptly classified as a sport utility truck, this recently-introduced category is not well known with consumers, with the only other rival being the Chevrolet Avalanche. Honda decided instead to advertise the Ridgeline as an alternative to traditional 1/2 ton full-size pickups such as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and Toyota Tundra, all of which had standard V8 engines. This likely harmed Ridgeline sales, as some cited its weak V6 engine (Honda has never developed a V8 for passenger vehicles[4]) and lack of ruggedness due to its unibody construction, while its relatively short cargo bed compared to a standard pickup truck made it unsuitable for contractors. Unlike other crew cabs, the Honda Ridgeline lacks the option of 6-passenger seating, as it only offers bucket seats and not bench seating in the front. Sales were initially slow, partly because it was considered over-priced. Consequently, dealers have been discounting the truck (which is unusual for a Honda product), and the average selling price has come down steadily according to J.D. Power[5], as well as sales. [edit] Monthly U.S. sales
[edit] Monthly Canada sales
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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