2009 Honda Pilot Update TOV's Q & A with Product Planner

TOV had a great Q&A interview with the two members of the 2009 Pilot's product development team, Rob Keough and Marc Ernst. Rob Keough is the Sr. Product Planner for the 2009 Pilot while Marc is the Assistant LPL in charge of Testing.

Here are the highlights as I see them;

-the 2009 Honda Pilot is more squared off compared to the competition due to the fact that they wanted to maintain good headroom in all 3 rows. By sloping to the back like others, you'd loose alot of headspace.

-the 2009 Honda Pilot is 'stretched' a little more than the previous version to increase the cargo space behind the 3rd row. Where that additional stretch went also into was in passenger legroom.

-this is not just a totally onroad vehicle - it does have some offroad capabilities and we wanted to communicate that in the styling, and that's how we came up with the overall shape.

-a new upscale 'Touring' trim level is going to be introduced plus the base model (LX) will come with even more standard features than now. I imagine it will be alot like how the Honda Odyssey Touring is pkged.

-the engine will have the 2nd generation variable cylinder management, which has 6-, 4-, and 3-cylinder modes for the best fuel economy.

-A.C.E. body structure will be incorporated along with the increased use of high tensile steel. (stronger=safer, lighter steel as well).

-the 2009 Pilot will not have a diesel engine, although we won't talk about plans for years beyond that.

-the body weight increases only slightly and they managed to improve fuel economy as well as the overall capacity of the vehicle.

Source: http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=735651

Interior Pic's of the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype

www.vtec.net has some excellent interior shots of the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. I like how they changed the position of the shifter. Much nicer. All indications lead me to believe that this is going to be a sharp reflection of what the production version will look like.

2009 Honda Pilot Prototype at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show

Well, here we have it, the 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype. I can't believe that Honda was able to keep this a secret for so long, alot of the other manufacturer's had alot of 'leaked' photos.

Here's a write up from Honda;
"Introducing a new prototype vehicle from Honda, packed with smart, practical features and advanced safety, fuel-efficiency and convenience technologies. The prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The Pilot redefined the midsized SUV with clean lines, better on-road handling and a more spacious interior, and the prototype promises to up the ante with even more to love."

Here's a link to the Official Site;
http://automobiles.honda.com/2009-prototype-pilot/

Popular Mechanics had a nice write up on the vehicle;
"DETROIT — Honda showed a more smoothly-styled Pilot crossover SUV Prototype at Detroit this afternoon. It’s slated for introduction as a 2009 model and we’re guessing it’s pretty close, if not identical, to the vehicle we’ll see in Honda stores late this summer or early fall. The Pilot has been restyled to be more polished than the rather bland-looking current Pilot introduced back in 2003, and there are plenty of detail changes on the inside as well.

The middle and third row seats, which both hold three passengers, fold flat into the floor for cargo hauling. You can even split the seats 60/40 for the ability to haul long packages and people together. The engine uses variable-displacement technology for improved economy. Previously, the 244-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine would shut down three cylinders when power demands were modest, like at lower speeds on flat terrain. The ’09 Pilot uses a more sophisticated system that will run as a 3-, 4- or 6-cylinder engine. Honda says the goal is to more closely match the engine displacement to the need for speed at any moment. As usual for Honda, smart idea.

Honda even claims the Pilot’s AWD system will be effective in “medium-duty” off-road conditions. But Honda’s “medium-duty” really means light-duty. The lack of ground clearance and low range will likely restrict the new Pilot, like the old, to many of the same dirt trails other crossover SUVs travel.

On the safety front, quite literally, Honda says the new Pilot will reduce pedestrian injuries. The frontend is designed to absorb impact and lessen injuries in the event of a pedestrian/vehicle accident. City dwellers that walk to work will surely appreciate that feature. —Mike Allen"

Here's the link to that one;
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4244647.html

Here's a link to a previous article of what we know so far about the vehicle;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2008/01/2009-honda-pilot-what-we-know-so-far.html

2009 Honda Pilot, What we know so far;

Well, it's been a pretty slow week for news, so I decided to put together a recap of everything that we know about the new 2009 Honda Pilot.

- At 1:45 PM on Sunday, January 13th, Honda will be revealing their prototype of the 2009 Pilot at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

-Expected release date is in June/July of 2008.

-A Diesel powertrain is expected to be released later in the year, however I expect it to be in the 2010/2011 model year.

-A 3.7Litre or a 3.8Litre engine is expected, up from the 3.5Litre that it has now.

-Horse Power is expected to go upwards to around 270hp from the 244hp it has now.-The new Pilot is said have more towing and cargo hauling capacity.

-The Diesel is expected to be Honda's new 3.5Litre V6, and is expected to get approx. 30% better fuel economy than the regular gas engine.

-The Pilot will run on regular unleaded fuel and won't be thirsty for premium.

-Honda said the new Pilot is sleek and futuristic-looking and will have advanced safety and fuel efficiency technology.

-The future Pilot is unlikely to employ a V-8 engine.

-A less-boxy and more-sculpted look than today's Pilot is expected.

-Judging by the latest MDX, the 2009 Honda Pilot is likely to add two inches to its wheelbase and overall length, and could swell two or three inches wider, all for more passenger and cargo room. Standard three-row seating will continue.

-Rumours of Variable Cylinder Management on all models abound (Cylinder deactivation, 6 to 4) to conserve fuel.

-The model will also pack in a complete overhaul of the interiors.

Detroit Auto Show 2009 Honda Pilot Update

Well, I know this isn't saying much, but it's an update in the least;

"Of course, the RA isn’t the only hotly awaited debutante at Detroit. Also due is the Pilot small crossover from Honda which will see its next-gen avatar in Detroit. Like the new next generation CR-V launched at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, the new Pilot too will pack in a lot of design cues. Apart from improved safety, fuel efficiency and a clutch of new convenience features, the model will also pack in a complete overhaul of the interiors. Mainly targetted at the American market, the Pilot is manufactured by Honda at its Lincoln Alabama plant. Pilot sales have been more than perky this year. In November alone, production was up by nearly a quarter compared to the same month last year. However, net net Pilot production has come down because Honda decided to pull it off its other plant in Ontario."

Here's the link;

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Auto/Debutantes_of_the_Detroit_Motor_Show/articleshow/2635658.cms

How Close will the 2009 Honda Pilot Rendering be to the Production Model?

Here is a shot of the rendered MDXHere is a shot of the production MDX

As most of you know already, there has been a 2009 Honda Pilot rendition released that is creating some buzz in the industry. Alot of people are wondering how accurate this rendition will be to the actual production model. One can only guess, however as some of you will remember a similar picture was released from Acura on the highly anticipated MDX redesign, and it was pretty close to the actual production model. So, anyway, food for thought.

2009 Honda Pilot Rendering and Official Honda Press Release

Well, we didn't have to wait long for a little more information on the upcoming Honda Pilot. Here is what the official Honda Press release had to say;

12/12/2007 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
A prototype of the next-generation Honda Pilot will be unveiled at the January 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
The prototype will convey design features of the more boldly-styled, next-generation Pilot and will emphasize authentic SUV styling, clever interior packaging and advanced technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and convenience.
The current-generation Pilot offers versatile eight-passenger seating and all-weather, medium-duty off-road capabilities while earning a distinctive reputation in the midsize SUV class for its refined handling and ride comfort. Among its numerous accolades, the Honda Pilot has earned Car and Driver magazine's prestigious "5Best Truck" award for six straight years (2002 thru 2007).
Additional Honda vehicles to be on display at NAIAS include the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, introduced at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, and the CR-Z concept vehicle, introduced at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. Limited retail marketing of the FCX Clarity will begin in summer 2008. The CR-Z is a next-generation lightweight sports car concept equipped with Honda's original gas-electric hybrid system.

Here's the link;
http://www.hondanews.com/categories/804/releases/4384

Here's another link to a previous post on what to expect on the 2009 Honda Pilot;
http://thehondaportal.blogspot.com/2007/10/2009-honda-pilot-what-to-expect.html