Video of the Odyssey Concept from the Chicago Auto Show

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.

Pre-Owned Vehicle of the Year Award goes to...

2003-2007 Honda Accord Takes inaugural WheelsTV POV of the Year February 9, 2010

Acton, MA (PRWEB) February 9, 2010 -- WheelsTV today announced that the seventh generation of the Honda Accord, 2003-2007, has been named 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year. This year marks the inaugural year for this first of its kind award; recognizing the most outstanding pre-owned vehicle on the road today.

"With pre-owned vehicles outselling new by as much as four to one, we at WheelsTV feel that it’s essential to recognize automotive excellence that extends beyond the new car showroom to where the rubber literally meets the road,” said Jim Barisano, CEO of WheelsTV. “Every new car ultimately has to prove its worth through thousands of miles of driving and years of service.

After careful consumer research, testing and deliberation, The WheelsTV panel of automotive writers and analysts are pleased to name the seventh generation Honda Accord The 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year.”

Competition for the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award was fierce with European, Asian and Domestic makes narrowing the gaps in quality, safety and dependability. But, in the end, one pre-owned car came out on top. The 2003 to 2007 Accord with Honda’s three-liter V-6 engine has generated virtually no major consumer complaints while delivering peppy response and good fuel economy, hitting 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The Accord’s ride is silky smooth. It’s also one of the safest mid-size sedans on the road with top ratings for frontal and side impact protection from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

WheelsTV’s writers and analysts test-drive hundreds of vehicles each year and conduct exhaustive consumer research which is used in video programs viewed by millions of consumers every day when shopping for cars and light trucks. This research is studied by the panel of judges when considering recipients of the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award.

The WheelsTV judging panel evaluates each vehicle using five key criteria:

Dependabililty: Perhaps the most important vehicle attribute for every pre-owned vehicle owner is reliability. Can I depend on my vehicle to always get me where I want to go? How well will the vehicle stand up under regular use and with proper care? Will the vehicle cause me worries or will my ownership experience be trouble-free?
Performance: How well does the engine, powertrain and suspension perform under all driving conditions? Does the vehicle have enough power to comfortably merge on to highways, cruise and pass comfortably?
Safety: How well does the vehicle standup in crash tests? Is it equipped with the latest airbags, restraints and braking technology?
Fuel Economy: How well does the vehicle perform in EPA mileage tests against vehicles of similar class, weight and engine size?
Overall Build Quality: Every vehicle comes from the factory in top shape, but how well does the vehicle hold up in day-to-day use? Do squeaks and rattles develop? What breaks? What wears-out over time?Contenders for the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award included a number of well-built models that offer good quality for the dollar. While Japanese automaker Honda took the award this year, domestic and European carmakers are constantly improving their products. Automakers with vehicles that can stand-up to years of wear and tear include entries from Ford, BMW, Nissan and Kia.

WheelsTV is the leader in providing video reports and reviews on new and pre-owned vehicles to web portals and cable VOD services.

With the inaugural 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award, WheelsTV has focused its knowledge and behind-the-wheel experience to recognize and award vehicles that truly fulfill the promise of good, solid, reliable, safe and enjoyable motoring.

“The automobile is an essential element in the day-to-day lives of most Americans,” states Lehel Reeves, president of WheelsTV, “With Americans so reliant upon the automobile, we at WheelsTV are pleased to recognize the vehicle that our research and experience has shown provides the most dependable, enjoyable and trouble-free service. Our congratulations to American Honda for winning the 2010 WheelsTV POV of the Year Award with the 2003-2007 Honda Accord.”

ABOUT WheelsTVWheelsTV (www.WheelsTVnetwork.com) is the first multi-platform television network in the U.S. devoted exclusively to consumers’ interests in cars, trucks and motorcycles—serving both the general audience and the enthusiast with a wide spectrum of vehicle-based entertainment, information and news. Top 200 Test Drives, 1:00 on One Vehicle Profiles and POV Reviews are the standards of excellence for independent automotive video reports and reviews. Distribution partners include MSN, AOL, Yahoo, JDPower.com, Vehix, AutoTrader, Comcast, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable.

WheelsTV is a program service of Automotive Networks Corporation, headquartered in Acton, Massachusetts. The network is dedicated to celebrating the beauty, action, fun, and excitement of the world’s love affair with the automobile.

Source;
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/02/prweb3581994.htm

Live Every Litre - A Project by Honda For You to Participate in

What is this all about?
This summer we will proudly launch the CR-Z, the first sporty hybrid car. A car designed to capture the hearts and mind of a new generation - a generation that is interested in the world around them, who are independent, inquisitive, and not afraid to have an opinion.

To celebrate the launch of the CR-Z we want to do something we’ve never done before: we want to co-create and crowd-source a multilingual documentary film. A film about the extraordinary journeys real people go on in their lives. We’re interested in those journeys we say we’ll go on, but never do; the journeys that take us somewhere new, somewhere scary, somewhere fun, somewhere different.

That could mean re-tracing the journey your ancestors made, following a band, finding a lost relative, looking for love, fame or fortune, saying hello again, saying sorry.

Why are we doing it?
We’ve started this project because we are passionate about getting the most out of life. We are interested in the big stuff, the trivial stuff, the fun stuff, the stuff the breaks your heart - the stuff that makes life worth living.

How are we doing this exactly?
Anyone interested in being in the film, can apply to take part here on this website. You will be able to tell the world about yourself and the journey you would like to take via video, just text or photos. You can canvas for support across Facebook, Twitter or wherever you want. People can view all of these journeys here too and rate and comment on their favourites. The top rated, most popular journeys will make up the cast shortlist.

We have a fantastic, award-winning director on board, who together with a team of bloggers will pick the final cast from the shortlist and away we go.

There will be many stories shared and in turn we will share everything filmed online so you can unite the stories that were most important to you in your own way.

When?
You can apply to be in the film from the 4th February until 19th March. We’ll announce the selected journeys on the 5th April and we set out on the road filming on Saturday 1st May.

Link;
http://liveeverylitre.com/

Honda Ridgeline - Body Summary

Overview: New Generation Pickup Truck Packaging with Safety and Rigidity

The Honda Ridgeline is designed to be strong and intelligently adaptable to the needs of its users with features not available anywhere else. Honda's approach to body construction incorporates a heavy-duty unibody design for sophisticated packaging and safety with a lower ladder frame for truck toughness. Benefits to this approach have resulted in a first-ever in-bed cargo well; a spacious interior; a large pickup bed with minimal wheel well intrusions; and handling, safety and NVH qualities that outperform conventional pickup truck designs.

Body Summary
-Athletic stance styling with 21st century truck proportions and one-piece cab-to-bed design
-Integrated Closed-Box Frame with Unibody Construction has reinforced deep channel construction with a closed box ladder frame
-5-foot long bed (6 ½-foot with tailgate down) with 4-feet, 1-inch of space between the wheel wells
-Secure In-Bed Trunk with a volume of 241 litres
-Dual-Action Tailgate swings down or to the side and can support heavy loads
-Vehicle-to-vehicle crash compatibility and pedestrian safety designs

Athletic Stance with New Truck Proportions and One-Piece Billet Design

The exterior styling of the Ridgeline is built to convey a modern and strong appearance with honesty toward the vehicle's performance and Honda's unique 21st century pickup truck style. Designed to appear as if it were carved out of a single block of steel, the billet construction styling concept emphasizes "strength" and is evident in the seamless one-piece construction from the cab to the bed (most trucks have separate cabs and beds with a large gap between each section). Details like the integrated bumpers, window shapes and body panel indents blend with the general trajectory of the vehicle's lines to further build on symmetry associated with billet construction. The end result is a pickup truck with proportions built around an athletic stance with short front and rear overhangs, a dominating grille connected to a long and expansive hood with details like large door handles and large side mirrors delivering on traditional truck-functional styling cues.

Now in it's third year, Ridgeline's muscular exterior has been freshened most notably in its front and rear styling.

Source;

Honda Canada