Honda Pilot prototype. Click image to enlarge |
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Honda Pilot prototype
Detroit, Michigan - Honda revealed a prototype of the next-generation 2009 Honda Pilot that's set to go on sale at Honda dealerships across Canada this spring.
"The new Pilot is designed to emphasize authentic SUV styling, innovative interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience," said Jim Miller, executive vice president of Honda Canada Inc. "The new Pilot enhances the combination of refinement and efficiency with even more traditional SUV strengths. It will feature a powerful exterior design while allowing for more space inside."
Eight-passenger seating, a feature of the current Pilot, becomes even easier to access in the third row as key dimensions for legroom, cargo and occupant space will increase in all seating positions, says the company.
A redesigned vehicle platform allows even more refined handling and ride comfort to co-exist with all-weather and medium-duty off-road capabilities.
To further enhance safety, the Pilot will feature the Honda-exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure for enhanced crash protection and the most extensive use of high-strength steel in any Honda product to date. The ACE body structure enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. A pedestrian injury mitigation design in the front of the vehicle is designed to help absorb energy in the event of a collision.
Its V6 engine introduces the latest generation of Honda's fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology that operates in six-cylinder mode for power and four- and three-cylinder modes for fuel efficiency, an improvement compared to the existing Pilot's available VCM system that works exclusively in 6- and 3-cylinder modes.
Three rows of seats provide a high degree of adaptability for people and large cargo loads. The 60/40 split second row, now more spacious, slides further forward for increased ease of access to the third row. The 60/40 split third row, now supplies enough knee room for an above-average-sized adult male to fit comfortably, making the Pilot's third row among the most practical in the industry. Each side of the second and third row independently folds down for cargo. A flat floor is created when the second and third rows are folded down.
The Pilot was originally launched as a 2003 model in July of 2002. Design and development of both the 2003 Pilot and the new 2009 Pilot were carried out by Honda R&D in North America. The Pilot is assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.
