New Pilot....HMM??

[jimmychoi]

from Autoblog...the new pilot...wonder what design cues will transfer to the RL?? Also I see they will run with VCM...http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detroit-2008-next-gen-honda-pilot-prototype-appear/


"
"The next-gen Pilot will feature Honda's ACE Advanced Compatibility Engineering safety technology and VCM cylinder deactivation management system that's also available on the Accord V6. The Variable Cylinder Managaement system allows this V6 to run on 6, 4 or 3 cylinders depending on the need."http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/2009pilotproto---33.jpg

[VoicesInMyHead]

Not sure how I feel about that front grill... :rolleyes:
And boy, does Honda ever like the low, better stretch, impossible to see without taking your eyes off the road type of controls. :eek:

[jimmychoi]

[QUOTE=VoicesInMyHead;269658]Not sure how I feel about that front grill... :rolleyes:
And boy, does Honda ever like the low, better stretch, impossible to see without taking your eyes off the road type of controls. :eek:[/Q


I agree...not sure about that grill...

[VT RAIDER]

I am not in love with the replacement vehicle. I was so hoping for something closer to the MDX design lines... I see a little of everything, but nothing that makes me want to pick one up... I hope it will look better live and in person...:confused:

[shovelhd]

I'm stunned. It's not anything like the concept drawing.

[jimmychoi]

I'm stunned. It's not anything like the concept drawing.

According to the article, much of what is there will transfer over to the final production....

[breakfastchef]

Do you ever notice how the front and back ends of many Japanese cars start looking like the animated (cartoon) characters that are so popular in their culture? Sometimes, like with the Nissan Z or the Infinity G, these cars look like beetles or other types of bugs. Other designs look "terminator-like" and robotic. Take a browse through the anime and Manga (sp?) section at the local Borders or Books A Million, and you may get my point.

As to the redesigned Pilot photo in this thread; I do not like it.

[VoicesInMyHead]

Do you ever notice how the front and back ends of many Japanese cars start looking like the animated (cartoon) characters that are so popular in their culture? Sometimes, like with the Nissan Z or the Infinity G, these cars look like beetles or other types of bugs. Other designs look "terminator-like" and robotic. Take a browse through the anime and Manga (sp?) section at the local Borders or Books A Million, and you may get my point.

LOL! A co-worker walked by when I was looking at the car's pics - I said the cars are starting to look like transformers! You can "feel" them looking at you... :eek: :D

[spun07RTX]

hmmmmm, well.......I hope the grill/headlights dont actually look like that on the production model....looks very similar to ford fusion :cool:

...I DO like the round wheel wells :D

wheel is round, opening should be round IMO

[denvrfan]

Sorry, fellow Honda lovers but it appears the new Pilot is continuing Honda's recent trend of unusual (and questionable) design details. Of course, it started with the Ridgeline. I know, I know, I love mine too....:D

The Civic is anything but mainstream with the huge front window and digital odometer. The new CRV followed with it's really weird toothless overbite grin of a front end. The MDX was next with another really unusual grill with "bulletproof armor". Then the new bread and butter Accord with all of the dramatic body creases (this car could use a GOOD ironing) and Saturn butt (not to mention the sea of buttons on the center stack). Now we have the Pilot prototype. While it's obvious they played it safe by carrying over the boxy body, the front end is again, really strange. Hopefully the production vehicle will look more mainstream.

Honda is selling cars based on it's incredible reputation of reliability, not because they are headturners from a styling perspective. Let's hope the reliability remains high or their designers may actually need to work for a living.

[BruceRTL]

The front end looks like some kind of SciFi mechanical bug. Maybe it's the lighting. Very strange! I would hate to meet that in a dark alley.

[jimmychoi]

His another... http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-detroit-honda-pilot-prototype/580333/

and from the back.... http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-detroit-honda-pilot-prototype/580344/

[MikeT]

Wow, really nothing to say except.... Does it come with skid plates :confused: :D ;)

[spun07RTX]

ooo ooooo ooo, I see dual exhausts!!! :D

[Nutbread]

Maybe the prototype is just a one-off they're taking to shows to help clear the 08's off the lots before the real 09 Pilot (which will really look like the sketch) hits the dealers.:D

[hofffam]

A good series of photos below:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-pilot-future.html

I think Honda missed the mark overall. Such a disappointment after the MDX, RDX, and CRV looked so good.

[LutzD79]

Wow, I must really be all by myself. I love the new look!!! It goes to show that everybody has different tastes. I always hear how ugly the RL is, but I just look at mine and I really like the way the RL looks. It would be interesting to see if there is a generational gap in liking or disliking the new Pilot or if I am just all alone on my little island:eek: My wife will be in the market for a new vehicle in the next year or so, I think the Pilot just made the list:D

[kwoodman]

LOL! A co-worker walked by when I was looking at the car's pics - I said the cars are starting to look like transformers! You can "feel" them looking at you... :eek: :D

If you think the Japanese vehicles look like transformers...
Check out what Jeep is up to...

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/detroit-2008-jeep-renegade-concept/

And it get's 110 mpg!

Or GM's new mini Hummer

http://www.automotive.com/future-cars/90/112-0801-hummer-hx-concept/index.html

[VoicesInMyHead]

If you think the Japanese vehicles look like transformers...
Check out what Jeep is up to...

LOL! Jeep made a Dune Buggy! :D

[xridgelinex]

Honda's page for the 2009 pilot... http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-prototype-pilot/

[jimmychoi]

Honda's page for the 2009 pilot... http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-prototype-pilot/

That Step Bus concept has to be the funkiest thing I've ever seen...:eek:

[ChrisM]

This is one of those vehicles that look much better in person than the pictures show.... I hope.

I would think that the new RL would look like the 08' Pilot, not this one which I think is unfortunate. If you don't like the 09' Pilot, you really won't like the 08'.

[BigFoote]

I really like the Jeep. Especially if it can get near 100 mpg. If you think the Japanese vehicles look like transformers...
Check out what Jeep is up to...

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/14/detroit-2008-jeep-renegade-concept/

And it get's 110 mpg!

Or GM's new mini Hummer

http://www.automotive.com/future-cars/90/112-0801-hummer-hx-concept/index.html

[blackRTS]

I don't know about the front grill??? i have been a pilot owner since it came out, i had 03 and i just trade it in to 07, i love it, i dont like the way they redesigned the new one. i like the older style period!

[czpd]

not to sure what to think right now. I wonder if the concept will come to the St. Louis Auto Show. I will save judgment until I see it in person. Although, I don't think my wife will be ready for a new car till the first refresh.

[easternwaridge]

If Honda is unveiling a prototype of the new Pilot at an autoshow, does that mean that they will be doing the same for the '09 Ridgeline sometime soon?

I know there are spyphotos of a '09 floating around. I took a second look and I think the camo covering the front end may be hiding a Pilot-like grill...

[super t]

O.K. those are the worst headlights I have ever seen , downright ugly. is honda sponsoring the next transformers movie or what?

[shovelhd]

Based on the artist's drawing, I thought the design was going to be more like the MDX/CX-9 eggshell shape. This one looks closer to a Jeep or GM Arcadia.

I wouldn't expect the sheetmetal to change at all, however it wouldn't surprise me if the plastic parts of the nose changed before introduction. That piece looks expensive to produce. I would think that they have several designs ready to go and will tool up the final choice after feedback from the show.

I think the deciding factor for many people will be whether the 2nd generation VCM makes it to the AWD platform and what the EPA estimates will be. There are much nicer looking trucks out there that get 16/22. If this VCM system can get the mileage closer to the Hybrid Highlander range (27/25/26), then it may be a winner for that alone.

[jimmychoi]

Interesting passage from autoblog ...."Although still labeled a prototype, it's not hard to see the next-generation Pilot SUV under that prototypified skin. Just like we saw when they showed us the Accord Coupe "Concept" last year, we expect the production Pilot vehicle to look very similar to this.[B]
The next-gen Pilot will feature Honda's ACE Advanced Compatibility Engineering safety technology and VCM cylinder deactivation management system that's also available on the Accord V6. The Variable Cylinder Managaement system allows this V6 to run on 6, 4 or 3 cylinders depending on the need. The new Pilot also sports better interior packaging with seating for up to eight passengers, as well. Overall, we find the exterior design inoffensive and bland, except for those headlights that seem to follow us around the room. Seriously Honda, you're scaring the kids."



Based on the artist's drawing, I thought the design was going to be more like the MDX/CX-9 eggshell shape. This one looks closer to a Jeep or GM Arcadia.

I wouldn't expect the sheetmetal to change at all, however it wouldn't surprise me if the plastic parts of the nose changed before introduction. That piece looks expensive to produce. I would think that they have several designs ready to go and will tool up the final choice after feedback from the show.

I think the deciding factor for many people will be whether the 2nd generation VCM makes it to the AWD platform and what the EPA estimates will be. There are much nicer looking trucks out there that get 16/22. If this VCM system can get the mileage closer to the Hybrid Highlander range (27/25/26), then it may be a winner for that alone.

[shovelhd]

Right, but no mention of AWD and VCM. The first generation VCM is available today, but on 2WD vehicles only.

[PerryLynch]

Well, I can tell you right now: It's nowhere near as appealing to me as the last one. The slab sides remind me of an Isuzu Trooper (not a good thing), and the new dash/console layout tells me that I'll never be comfortable driving it. That dash curves out to fill the space where my knee should go, and the console simple shouldn't be there, as it's a TRUCK - regardless of the SUV label.

Now, drop the Ridgeline Console and steering column into it, so that I can have the knee room, and I'll gladly overlook the slab-sidedness.

[zuhl]

Terrible. What on earth are they thinking? Looks like they hired some layed off Jeep designers and gave them crack. It does not look tough and it does not look chic. It is just boring, with a touch of annoying Asian inspired teenager flair.

[jimmychoi]

It is just boring, with a touch of annoying Asian inspired teenager flair.

Asian inspired teenage flair....Hey...I had a rock band in high school named that...:p