Next Generation Honda Ridgeline Coming for 2011

At five years old, the Honda Ridgeline is one of the oldest vehicles in Honda’s lineup. That’s expected to be fixed by next year, according to Vicki Poponi, Honda’s assistant vice president of product planning, at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.

A new Ridgeline “is coming in ’11, for the 2011 model year,” Poponi said.

The midsize, unibody Ridgeline arrived in 2005. It did away with conventional leaf springs in favor of an independent rear suspension that gave it great ride comfort and enough room for an in-bed lockable trunk – the first in a pickup. The Ridgeline also featured all-wheel drive and a dual-action tailgate that folded down or off to the side, like a door, to allow unimpeded access to the cargo box.

But sales over the last year have fallen as the market for new trucks dramatically softened and the Ridgeline has aged.

Last year, Honda sold 16,464 Ridgeline pickups, down from 33,875 a year earlier, a drop of 51.4%.

“The customers love the Ridgeline,” Poponi said. “It’s really a unique truck. It’s its own segment. But because it’s a niche vehicle, they’re really aren’t many people out looking for it. It’s also a bit older than we like” Honda vehicles to be.

The 2011 Honda Ridgeline is expected to keep the same size and crew cab configuration of today’s truck but with improved aerodynamics and powertrain refinements to get better gas mileage.

Source (via autoblog);
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/02/new-honda-ridgeline-coming-for-2011-model-year.html

More 2011 Honda Odyssey Concept Photos

These pic's are from the Autoblog, here's a link with more photo's;
http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2011-honda-odyssey-concept-in-chicago/#2

Honda Odyssey Concept

CHICAGO — Perhaps in answer to the female bloggers who complain that a minivan is punishment for having a third child, Honda on Wednesday unveiled the Odyssey concept, which previews a sleeker and more stylish 2011 Odyssey minivan. The minivan concept, which was revealed at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, apparently draws some of its inspiration from Harry Potter, too.

The Odyssey concept is highlighted by a "lightning bolt" beltline that is said to "distinguish the vehicle's profile," according to the automaker. Fans of the Harry Potter books and movies undoubtedly will see a link to the boy wizard's lightning-shaped scar, which was acquired when the evil Lord Voldemort tried to kill him.

In this case, Odyssey's lightning bolt is not only a styling cue, it also enhances outward visibility for third-row passengers, according to Honda. No word yet on whether this styling cue will be incorporated into the production vehicle, which is due out in the fall.

Honda is aiming for a lower and wider minivan with the redesign. The Odyssey concept rides on the same wheelbase as the 2010 Odyssey, but it's wider and shorter. The concept is 78.5 inches wide, versus a width of 77.1 inches for the 2010 Odyssey. The concept is 68.3 inches in height. The 2010 Odyssey is 68.8 inches tall on the LX model and 70.0 inches tall on the EX, EX-L and Touring models.

Honda did not reveal powertrain specs for the 2011 Odyssey, although it said it was aiming for "higher fuel economy." It estimated that the 2011 Odyssey will get 19 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway on certain models versus an EPA-estimated mileage of 16 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway for the 2010 Odyssey LX and EX models. The uplevel 2010 Odyssey EX-L and Touring models return 17 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway.

Cabin changes for the new Odyssey remain a mystery, too, with the automaker merely saying "forthcoming improvements to the production Odyssey's interior are designed to further enhance the current model's accommodating space for people and cargo." Unknown is whether Honda will offer a special access seat for the second row, a new feature on the 2011 Toyota Sienna.

It is uncertain if Honda will be the first to offer a hybrid minivan with the redesign, something that has been the subject of speculation, or whether the Odyssey will get a new four-cylinder engine.

Toyota threw down the gauntlet at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show when it showed off its redesigned 2011 Sienna minivan. It underscored that the redesign made the Sienna look more like a sedan. Among the highlights are a new, sporty SE model with side skirting, standard 19-inch alloy wheels, smoked taillamps and a sport-tuned suspension, as well as the debut of a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine.

More Leaked CR-Z Brochure Pictures

From what we know, Honda will toss the covers off the production version of the CR-Z hybrid coupe at the Detroit Show on Monday afternoon. And even though we've shown you brochure images of both the standard and MUGEN variants, as well as still video shots of the CR-X's spiritual successor, Carscoop reader S.Z. pointed us to a Japanese blog that just posted more than 30 scanned pictures of what is said to be the domestic market sales leaflet. Hit the source at the bottom of this article to check out the complete set of photos.

Source;
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2010/01/2010-honda-cr-z-sales-brochure-full.html