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http://vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=732256
The vehicle shown at the Detroit Auto Show looks like the [non-permissible content removed] child of a Subaru Forrester and a Ford Explorer.
Some of the things I'm noticing from the press photos*:
- no keyless start (I can see the key/remote in the steering column)
- turn signal repeaters in the mirrors (missing on the Highlander and Murano)
- the rear hatch does not have a power-assist (usually you can see the arm that pulls the door down), but maybe it's just missing on the concept
- center position seatbelt still hangs from the ceiling (like the Murano, but unlike the Highlander)
- body side moldings to protect the side (unlike Highlander and Murano)
- the side view mirrors look small, but that may also be specific to the concept
- interior door panels seem very bland, but that may be because of the color scheme
- inverse gauge faces (i.e. white background) -- this seems like a step backwards from the existing gauges (hopefully it's only on the concept).
The exterior reminds me of the side windows of a Chevy HHR, the rear of a Dodge Caravan and Nitro mixed with a Chevy Tahoe and Uplander. There's also some Nissan Pathfinder in there.
* I know it's a "concept" version, but Honda's concepts tend to be pretty close to the production version (with the exception of the wheels or other details).
2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Honda Pilot
And more photos here.
More pictures here:
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/1074/search/photos?q=PilotProto&s=honda
Yikes is an understatement
It looks like a brick.
I was waiting to see the Pilot before deciding between a Highlander or Pilot.
The new Pilot makes the Highlander a winner hands down.
Even if the Pilot was nicer, I could not get it as Honda has chosen to continue to use RED turn signals on the rear (which is a known safety flaw base on worldwide research)
Honda Engineers must be smoking something.
Car manufacturers should be held to account for using the unsafe RED turn signal design. I am so disappointed in the Pilot, after gettting my wife a CR-V (which has amber turn signals). Honda should be held criminally liable for the continued insane use of RED rear turn signals
Please could you reconsider your decision to use RED rear turn signals on some of your vehicles (such as the Pilot)
I don't know how a company such as Honda, would fall into the laziness of American Auto manufacturers, who first started this unsafe and irresponsible design.
A competent instrumentation Engineer knows from experience, that using different illumination colors to indicate different signal functions, allows the human brain to react more quickly.
Lets assume for sake of argument, the colored signals on traffic lights. If we were to make stop and go the same color (Red) and make the stop signal flash, and the go signal a steady red light.
When approaching a traffic light, if you encountered a flashing red light, you wouldn't know it was a stop signal until the first time the light flashed. Every time the light came, on, there would be the 1 second anticipation of whether the light would stay on, or turn off. Then when the "GO" signal activates, it would be about 2 seconds to realize it wasn't going to flash off.
Not only is this confusing, it is dangerous and would get very annoying.
The same applies to vehicles with red turn signals. Especially ones with a single bulb for both functions. Only slightly less dangerous are vehicles with separate bulbs for brake and turn. The contrast between a fully lit red brake light, and a flashing red turn signal is nearly impossible to resolve, especially at night.
Obviously, the Engineering team on the CR-V (which was designed for an international market) used amber rear turn signals. Maybe this was due to the international regulation of using amber rear turn signals, got the design right for the US market.
So please, for the sake of the occupants in your vehicles, and to stay at the top of the field in automobile design with safety in mind, please use Amber rear turn signals on all Honda's.
You have the chance to get it right on the new Pilot.
The side profile is acceptable with the clean Tahoe look. GM set the trend for windows with the Tahoe and I guess Honda saw something they liked. I am surprised that Honda restricted the visibility with the heavier looking B and C pillars. The bumper and taillights look unfinished. I would smooth out the angles. The mirrors look cheap. The mix of angles and smooth edges just does not blend for me. The front end is just awful.
Hopefully Honda has brought something new to the driveline besides engine management. But hey, the Ridgeline was odd looking and I guess the Pilot is going that direction. The Element is growing on me. The CRV is elegant and fresh. Ford must feel the Honda fumbled the ball away inside their 10 year line. I am so disappointed
I don't think dimensions have been posted yet, but I doubt this new Pilot will be as long as the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9 (both around 200 inches long, while the outgoing Pilot is 188 in long--don't think they'll add 12 inches). So if you really need room for a family and gear, the Acadia and CX-9 are likely better choices (which might be the reason why the Acadia is selling so well)
No such luck, judging by the photos. The lever does look short, maybe fixes your problem.
Steering Column
The current Ridgeline and Pilot (and old CR-V) had it on the column which was not a winner for me.
http://www.autospies.com/images/users/Agent001/SP32-20060801-180545.jpg
Thanks!
PS- I agree with most of those in the foregoing about the poor design elements of the front end and Honda designers copying some of the Nissan X-terra shape/style, which are not very pleasing at all.
I don't know, I was saying I will be waiting for the '09 but I am very underwhelmed. Will have to see it in person, but there is nothing to really make me run out and buy one as soon as it hits the lots, as I was prepared to do if the design was impressive enough.
I was hoping the SH-AWD fom the MDX (or a varition thereof) would make it to the 2009 Pilot.
Also, would you or any of the other folks here know if the split center arm rest that is pictured in the prototype make it to production? It looks like it would be very uncomfortable! I hope they keep the current large non-split center arm rest which is also on the new MDX.
The so-called prototype isn't exactly ugly but it has no cutting edge design aspects. Take off the badges and it could be any current model two box SUV. The front end grill looks like it was yanked off a Ridgeline and stuck on the night before the unveiling. Doesn't really flow at all. It makes the boring Highlander design look elegant in comparison. This is a big disappointment following the Civic and Accord revamps. Unfortunately I doubt if this will change much thru production, check out the Accord so-called prototype photos. I guess we'll have to wait for the 2010 model for the mid-mark tweeks to improve the looks. Interior looks nice, but I expect some of that will be detuned for the production model.
It looks to me like Honda are scared of threatening sales of the successful MDX and are playing it safe. Too safe in my opinion. Other makers are taking leaps forward in SUV design. This thing could start looking old fast.
Joe
Here is the original prototype:
Pilot Prototype
http://www.collegehillshonda.com/artman2/publish/Pilot_21/Next-Generation_Honda_- Pilot_Balances_Ideal_Combination_of_SUV_Strengths_and_On-road_Refinement.shtml
You would hope that they release these so-called prototypes to garner some feedback before finalizing design details. Unfortunately if the car is hitting showrooms in the Spring they may already be well into production, or least have tooled up the factory.
It may be significant that I think the Pilot is only sold in the North American market and may have suffered from a sub-standard US design team. You may not like the latest CR-V but at least the lines flow on the car.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/autoshows/detroit/2008/index.html