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Disclaimer: All of the information contained in my posts are my personal opinion and should not be considered official information from Honda, its employees or suppliers. I will try and keep this post updated with the latest information. For those interested you can Subscribe to this thread without posting a message. Just use the Thread Tools above and Subscribe to this thread.
I started posting information about the next-generation Ridgeline over 2 years ago. This was at a time when many major publications were saying the Ridgeline was a dead product. I clearly said they were wrong and I can say with near high certainty that we'll see the next-generation Ridgeline with a year of this post.
I don't know all the information about the next-generation Ridgeline, but there are some things we can be pretty sure of.
Overall they didn't quite make the 400 lb. weight loss goal... closer to 300 lbs.
EXTERIOR: As most of you know the next-generation Ridgeline will have a more traditional pickup truck appearance. The bed sail is gone. The overall width of the vehicle be an inch or so narrower, but interior room will not be diminished. I'll list some of the items I've heard and my opinion:
UPDATE The best info at this time is that the overall length of the vehicle will increase by up to 4" or so.
05/20/15 the LED headlight information is incorrect.projection headlights, LED DRL's, and taillights. FINAL UPDATE: High end models will get LED headlights.
Bed Length: I expect it to be UPDATE: between 5' 3" and 5' 6" ft. in length. Yes, there is a gap between the cab and bed more like a traditional pickup.FINAL UPDATE: Bed length is 5' 4" long and 5' wide.
In bed trunk: Yes, close to current design and lockable.
Dual action tailgate: Yes, same functionality and will include a new multi-view rear camera. UPDATE: the rumors of a split tailgate are not true. The way the tailgate works is essentially a carry-over. FINAL UPDATE: Tailgate functionality same as first generation, but has a much larger plastic lip on the top, and the internal mechanism has been simplified.
UPDATE 7/22/15 The bed material composition has changed. It will be both lighter and tougher than the first generation. Still composite. FINAL UPDATE: Bed composite material has been altered to remain black when scratched rather than white like the first generation. RTL-E and Black Edition will get a six exciter in-bed audio system.
Wheels: Most recent news says 18" wheels for all models. FINAL UPDATE: 18" confirmed.
Two door long bed version: Possible late introduction. UPDATE 8/4/15 Seems that this model has been tabled... put on hold.
Front wheel drive version: Very probable. FINAL UPDATE: Confirmed.
INTERIOR: My best information is that there will be a wider variety of models available. From a possible low end "work truck" with basic interiors to a top-of-the-line version Lane Watch,Blind Spot, and Cross Traffic monitor. All should get the latest version of the HondaLink infotainment system and is both Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatible. On navigation equipped models will feature better graphics, 3D display of buildings, terrain and freeway signs; live search capability; and more detailed lane guidance.
UPDATE 06/11/2015 The rear seat configuration is essentially unchanged from the first generation. .
POWERTRAIN and SUSPENSION:
3.5L V6 Earth Dreams Direct Injected engine: Premium fuel is not required except for towing.
Push Button Start: Yes.
Remote Start: On higher end models.
Transmission: Improved Honda 6AT. The 5AT is gone.
Bed Capacity: The bed is a bit longer (as mentioned above) slight increase in payload capacity. FINAL UPDATE: Payload is just under 1600 lbs.
Towing Capacity: At least 5000 lbs. (same as current). FINAL UPDATE: 5,000 lbs. on AWD and 3,500 lbs. on FWD models.
Turning Radius: I don't know the numbers but it is improved from the current model. About 39.5'
AWD: The existing electro-mechanical VTM-4 system is gone (will now be called iVTM-4). The new system is a Honda in-house design that improves rear ground clearance, and is a hydraulic clutch system that reacts much faster and has higher torque capabilities than the previous design. Yes, this is an improvement. UPDATE 06/11/2015 All confirmed.
UPDATE 8/4/15 The new iVTM-4 system and does have yaw and torque vectoring. It is very similar to the SH-AWD with different logic.
The Ridgeline will be assembled at the Lincoln, AL plant exclusively.
TIMELINE:I expect Honda to start production of the next-generation Ridgeline in the late 4th quarter of 2015 and should show up at dealers in mid-February of 2016 as a 2017 model year vehicle. UPDATE 7/22/15 Production timeline seems to have changed. Given the latest information I believe the earliest we would see the 2017 Ridgeline at dealers lots would March, 2016, but a more realistic timeline would be mid to late April of 2016. FINAL UPDATE: Production has begun and I expect vehicles to start arriving at dealerships in late May.
UPDATES: The next-generation Ridgeline will be officially unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11, 2016.
UPDATES:
As far as I know the spare tire will remain inside the in-bed trunk with an optional bed mount. There were rumors of a change but I think those were false.
UPDATE 02/21/15
The radiator / transmission cooling line issue has been addressed for the next-generation Ridgeline.
UPDATE 04/24/15
The official Honda name for the AWD system will be called: "Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System and all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management". So it's i-VTM4 from now on. Here's a bit of information on the system from Honda: "This entirely more capable system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels using the new, lightweight rear drive unit. Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-drive, rear-drive or conventional all-wheel-drive systems."
Powertrain - The next-generation Ridgeline will have only one powertrain (unlike the new Pilot). It will be the Earth Dreams 3.5L direct injected V6 mated to the improved Honda 6AT transmission. This means the vehicle will have push button start, and several different modes (Snow, Sand, Mud). The engine will include the new dual mode VCM, but the Ridgeline will not have the engine stop / start feature.
UPDATE 8/4/15 It seems that the Tow / Haul mode has been dropped. The modes will be Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand. The cruise control will only work in Normal mode. The Sand mode will allow lower tire pressures without having to pull a fuse.
Infotainment and navigation system: It will be Android Auto and Apple Carplay based, but not open source. It will have a similar user interface as the latest Honda systems, but will be much faster and more responsive. It will integrate with both Android and Apple iOS devices. Will support USB 2.5 standards (sorry not 3.0) but will have enough power to charge devices at higher rates. 8" touch screen.
Tilt / Telescopic steering wheel.
Capless fuel filler (no fuel cap).
Most models will get the Homelink system.
The DRL's will be LED but not the main headlight system.
IMAGES:
I started posting information about the next-generation Ridgeline over 2 years ago. This was at a time when many major publications were saying the Ridgeline was a dead product. I clearly said they were wrong and I can say with near high certainty that we'll see the next-generation Ridgeline with a year of this post.
I don't know all the information about the next-generation Ridgeline, but there are some things we can be pretty sure of.
Overall they didn't quite make the 400 lb. weight loss goal... closer to 300 lbs.
EXTERIOR: As most of you know the next-generation Ridgeline will have a more traditional pickup truck appearance. The bed sail is gone. The overall width of the vehicle be an inch or so narrower, but interior room will not be diminished. I'll list some of the items I've heard and my opinion:
UPDATE The best info at this time is that the overall length of the vehicle will increase by up to 4" or so.
05/20/15 the LED headlight information is incorrect.
Bed Length: I expect it to be UPDATE: between 5' 3" and 5' 6" ft. in length. Yes, there is a gap between the cab and bed more like a traditional pickup.FINAL UPDATE: Bed length is 5' 4" long and 5' wide.
In bed trunk: Yes, close to current design and lockable.
Dual action tailgate: Yes, same functionality and will include a new multi-view rear camera. UPDATE: the rumors of a split tailgate are not true. The way the tailgate works is essentially a carry-over. FINAL UPDATE: Tailgate functionality same as first generation, but has a much larger plastic lip on the top, and the internal mechanism has been simplified.
UPDATE 7/22/15 The bed material composition has changed. It will be both lighter and tougher than the first generation. Still composite. FINAL UPDATE: Bed composite material has been altered to remain black when scratched rather than white like the first generation. RTL-E and Black Edition will get a six exciter in-bed audio system.
Wheels: Most recent news says 18" wheels for all models. FINAL UPDATE: 18" confirmed.
Two door long bed version: Possible late introduction. UPDATE 8/4/15 Seems that this model has been tabled... put on hold.
Front wheel drive version: Very probable. FINAL UPDATE: Confirmed.
INTERIOR: My best information is that there will be a wider variety of models available. From a possible low end "work truck" with basic interiors to a top-of-the-line version Lane Watch,
UPDATE 06/11/2015 The rear seat configuration is essentially unchanged from the first generation. .
POWERTRAIN and SUSPENSION:
3.5L V6 Earth Dreams Direct Injected engine: Premium fuel is not required except for towing.
Push Button Start: Yes.
Remote Start: On higher end models.
Transmission: Improved Honda 6AT. The 5AT is gone.
Bed Capacity: The bed is a bit longer (as mentioned above) slight increase in payload capacity. FINAL UPDATE: Payload is just under 1600 lbs.
Towing Capacity: At least 5000 lbs. (same as current). FINAL UPDATE: 5,000 lbs. on AWD and 3,500 lbs. on FWD models.
Turning Radius: I don't know the numbers but it is improved from the current model. About 39.5'
AWD: The existing electro-mechanical VTM-4 system is gone (will now be called iVTM-4). The new system is a Honda in-house design that improves rear ground clearance, and is a hydraulic clutch system that reacts much faster and has higher torque capabilities than the previous design. Yes, this is an improvement. UPDATE 06/11/2015 All confirmed.
UPDATE 8/4/15 The new iVTM-4 system and does have yaw and torque vectoring. It is very similar to the SH-AWD with different logic.
The Ridgeline will be assembled at the Lincoln, AL plant exclusively.
TIMELINE:
UPDATES: The next-generation Ridgeline will be officially unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11, 2016.
UPDATES:
As far as I know the spare tire will remain inside the in-bed trunk with an optional bed mount. There were rumors of a change but I think those were false.
UPDATE 02/21/15
The radiator / transmission cooling line issue has been addressed for the next-generation Ridgeline.
UPDATE 04/24/15
The official Honda name for the AWD system will be called: "Intelligent Variable Torque Management™ (i-VTM4™) AWD System and all-new selectable Intelligent Traction Management". So it's i-VTM4 from now on. Here's a bit of information on the system from Honda: "This entirely more capable system progressively distributes optimum torque between the front and rear axles and, for the first time ever in a Honda vehicle, dynamically distributes engine torque between the left and right rear wheels using the new, lightweight rear drive unit. Benefits include superior all-weather handling and neutral, accurate steering under power that is unmatched by front-drive, rear-drive or conventional all-wheel-drive systems."
Powertrain - The next-generation Ridgeline will have only one powertrain (unlike the new Pilot). It will be the Earth Dreams 3.5L direct injected V6 mated to the improved Honda 6AT transmission. This means the vehicle will have push button start, and several different modes (Snow, Sand, Mud). The engine will include the new dual mode VCM, but the Ridgeline will not have the engine stop / start feature.
UPDATE 8/4/15 It seems that the Tow / Haul mode has been dropped. The modes will be Normal, Snow, Mud, Sand. The cruise control will only work in Normal mode. The Sand mode will allow lower tire pressures without having to pull a fuse.
Infotainment and navigation system: It will be Android Auto and Apple Carplay based, but not open source. It will have a similar user interface as the latest Honda systems, but will be much faster and more responsive. It will integrate with both Android and Apple iOS devices. Will support USB 2.5 standards (sorry not 3.0) but will have enough power to charge devices at higher rates. 8" touch screen.
Tilt / Telescopic steering wheel.
Capless fuel filler (no fuel cap).
Most models will get the Homelink system.
The DRL's will be LED but not the main headlight system.
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