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So far, Mazda CX-9 is my best candidate.
I am willing to give Honda Pilot a chance. So, I did research and I am willing to
wait for it to come out then decide between CX-9 and '09 Pilot.
Here is what I have found to share with you guys who are curious.
Keep in mind that Honda has always been doing a great jobs in keeping
secrets. Traditionally, it has been very hard to preview a new model until Honda
decided to show it to you in autoshow.
- Honda very likely will show the '09 Pilot in Detriot Autoshow (Jan 19-27, 2008)
- The likely release/on-sale date is May, 2008. (vehicles made after March can
qualify as the next year model by Fed's rules)
- The Honda Alabama factory is now closed for "special projects". Very likely, in
preparation for retooling of the new Pilot. (Alabama factory made the current Pilot and Odyssey)
- For spy-shots,
p://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=703232
- engine: 3.7L/3.8L variant of current SOHC (regular unlead) with 260-270hp.
3.0L Diesel will come in 2010/2011 (rumor to be 30~35mpg)
- length: close to 200in (like CX-9 and GM trios) (current Pilot is 190in as is new Highlander) A future Accord-derived new Crossover will slot in size between the CR-V and Pilot.
All those are rumors and speculations. Please take them as what they are worth.
Probably going to be the Accord Tourer Wagon (the one from "The Cog" commercial) from over in Europe to compete against the Freestyle (Taurus X).
I have heard the new '09 Pilot will be getting the Accord / Ody grille design for the front end.
Odie
Odie's Carspace
Acura want SH-AWD to be exclusively for Acura, not sharing with Honda.
Honda vehicles will have to live with VTM-4 (or its improved version).
I don't know of any CUV has low-range or great off-road capability (and skid-plates, etc.). It is unlikely that the new Pilot will have those. It is AWD, not 4WD.
To me, that would be a deciding factor (say, between Mazda CX-9 and Honda Pilot).
The reasons are:
- the distance between C-pillar and D-pillar is now as long as that of minivan. There is enough space for door rail under 3rd row window.
- sliding door (powered) is the best feature on minivan. The rear doors are usually opened by children. With sliding doors, there is less chance that the doors will "ding" the vehicles next to yours.
- to make access to 3rd row easier, the rear doors are getting larger and larger. I found the rear doors (such as those of CX-9) to be quite long. When opened by kids, accidents are bound to happen.
What do you folks think? Good idea? or dumb one? :confuse:
Personally, I would consider it a great differentiator in a competitive CUV market. Remember the 1st minivan that came out with the 2nd sliding door? A winner.
Can't wait to see this Pilot.
B.
The big downer about minivans for my use is the lack of ground clearance. I don't care about the 4WD/AWD option but a 2WD CUV with sliders would grab my attention since I could take it camping and have fewer worries about dinging the oil pan on some of the forest service roads we take.
http://www.thetorquereport.com/2007/12/detroit_auto_show_preview_2009.html
Joe
The pilot prototype, a bold and traditional SUV, will adopt the ACE structure and show the direction of next model. The new pilot will have advanced safety package, better fuel economy and will make significant evolution in ease of use.
..."
link:
http://response.jp/issue/2007/1213/article103195_1.html
-ACE: as expected. All newer Honda models adopted ACE structure design. Crash test result should be top-notch
-Better fuel economy: nice...
-Better ease of use: why not?
B.
Usually they have more inside information thru talking to Honda insiders.
If you compare the pre-release photo of MDX vs the eventual photo of MDX, you will see that the drawings released by Honda are usually very accurate.
In my opinion, nothing said in the news article exceeded my expectation. Expect a detuned 3.7L V6 from MDX in the new Pilot (so that it runs on 87 pctane).
"The prototype of the all-new Pilot will be introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2008."
Can't wait for end of January to come.
Those of us that have big credit card bills could wait till January and then some
Thanks...
If we have a 4 year old strapped in the back and she wants to see episode 4 of backyardigans, does that mean I have to get out of the front seat and go to the back and use the remote control to move the cusor to the correct episode start icon?
It would be so much nicer (and safer not to get out) to just stop the vehicle, (park engaged) and sit in the drivers seat and make custom selections
thanks
The big negative is the DVD is loaded into the rear overhead unit. On a long road trip, it would require getting out and swapping disks.
What do people expect to see on the new Pilot?
I hope it has a timing chain
Given Honda's push to diesels, I expect a diesel Pilot, but no hybrid.
Timing chains usually last over 150,000 miles before servicing. Belts get replaced at 90,000 miles.
The CRV has a timing chain. The only major servicing needed is spark plugs.
The other stuff like filters, fluids etc are routine
As far as the new Pilot. I think horsepower will be 270+ but could go all the way to match the MDX output of 300hp. The pre-'07 MDX and Pilot had the same output for a number of years so it doesn't seem like Honda are interested in using power as the main differentiator in the brands.
I think we can get a fairly good indication of other specs based on recent Honda releases like the Accord and direct competition in the Highlander. (Although Toyota seem to have chosen a very safe, and in my opinion bland design for the new Highlander) The Highlander can come with almost any option you would need with a few exceptions. However, fully loaded its MSRP is over $41K which takes it into MDX country. I'm not sure Honda will want to take the pilot quite that high, but I expect a loaded example to be close to $40K.
Too true, I was prepared to buy a new Highlander, but the bland looks have me waiting to see the new Pilot.
The artist rendition on the Honda web-site promises a pretty cool looking SUV. If the production version looks like that it should be a seller. I own an '05 Pilot and although a great car I've always felt the styling was way too conservative. '06 model was a modest improvement. Of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
On the new Pilot expect to see factory installed, Nav and Entertainment combination, XM Satellite and AUX input for sound system, (at last). Power tailgate on one of the specs. Bluetooth only with the Nav package. Heat will be dual (maybe 3) zone.
Sorry no HID lamps and no premium hi-fi option.
The back window still won't open independently from the tailgate.
No hybrid option, already dumped on the Accord on not available on the MDX.
Diesel could come later but not for a couple of years at least.
I think backup sensors (and/or camera), tow package and wood will remain dealer installed options.
Hopefully some wheel and tire upgrade options.
Improved AWD system, possibly the SH-AWD tuned differently and with a new name.
Shift stick could move from the wheel to the dashboard, easier to use but keeping the storage space between the seats.
THIS IS ALL AN EDUCATED GUESS. NO INSIDE KNOWLEDGE.
it will be televised the question is how long will it take to be televised. I woudl suggest heading ver the vtec.net Sunday afternoon, they are really fast with getting video up as well as of course here are edmunds.