2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport Package Revealed

The 2012 model year brings a new trim level and some visual revisions for Honda's Ridgeline truck. The new trim is optimistically called Sport -- it doesn't entail any sporty performance upgrades, but does bring aesthetic modifications to make the Ridgeline look a little cooler.

The key word for the Ridgeline Sport is black, as the color is applied to the head-, fog-, and taillight bezels; the mirrors; door handles; unique honeycomb grille; and 18-inch wheels. It's a cool look, but we wonder whether the Sport label is truly justified by what's essentially just a collection of blacked-out body parts. From what we can tell, the Sport will sport much of the same equipment as a typical Ridgeline RT model.

New duds aren't limited to this black-on-black model, as Honda will graft a new grille design onto every 2012 Ridgeline. There are no pictures of the non-Sport model, but our money says the Ridgeline will score the same chrome-slat grille design as the 2012 Pilot.

The 2012 Ridgeline is said to boast improved fuel economy; the 250-hp 3.5-liter V-6 engine will probably remain unchanged while the five-speed automatic transmission could be swapped for a six-speed unit, like that used on the Acura MDX, which rides upon a similar platform. The truck is currently EPA-rated at 15/20 mpg (city/highway). The new Ridgeline (and the Sport variant) goes on sale this November.

Source;

http://www.trucktrend.com/features/news/2011/163_news110725_2012_honda_ridgeline/index.html

Pimped out Honda Ridgeline

Stumbled across this pic and I thought that some of you might get a kick out of it.

Koichi Kondo to Automotive News: Next Ridgeline will focus more on fuel efficiency

In a small blurb in this week's issue (October 13, 2008) of Automotive News, Honda Executive VP Koichi Kondo is quoted as saying that development on the next generation Ridgeline will place a greater emphasis upon fuel economy, saying about the Ridgeline "It's a very nice concept, a very nice car. But the sales aren't so successful."

The Ridgeline has struggled to meet Honda's initial targets of 50000 annual units, and through September of this year, sales are off by 17.9% from 2007's figures. According to the story in Automotive News, Kondo thinks that the Ridgeline is functionally very competitive, but a tangible advantage in terms of fuel economy will help it stand out further from its competition. The current EPA numbers of 15mpg city and 20mpg don't exactly live up to the V6-only, unibody framed Ridgeline's original promise of a fuel economy advantage over other trucks.

The Ridgeline debuted in early 2005 as a 2006 model and received a minor refresh for the 2009 model year.

Source;
http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=794652

2009 Ridgeline Changes

2009 Honda Ridgeline

-revised grille, bumpers, headlight design, taillight design and wheel design.

-3.5-liter VTEC V-6 produces 250 horsepower @ 5700 rpm (+3 hp) and 247 lb-ft. @ 4000 rpm (+2 lb-ft.); broader torque band improves at lower rpms by as much as 10 lb-ft. @ 2500 rpm

-More aggressive camshaft profile and larger intake valves

-Dual-stage magnesium intake manifold

-Higher-flow rate high-mount cold air intake

-Heavy-duty starter motor (benefits faster starting)

-All forward transmission gear ratios are lower (additional engine torque for more responsive acceleration).

-Two additional bed tie downs (for a total of eight)

-Active front seat head restraints

-3D-look speedometer, tachometer and related meters

-Cruise control main switch moved from the instrument panel to the steering wheel

-HVAC controls and meters are more clear with larger icons

-Integrated Class III trailer hitch

-Power lumbar support (EX-L and up? Maybe Value Added Package).

-Mp3 playback capablility

-MP3/auxiliary input jack (Value Added Package? and up).

-18-inch alloy wheel (up from 17-inch) (EX-L and up)

-Carpeted floor mats

-115-volt power outlet (EX-L and up)

-Available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition, rearview camera and Bluetooth HandsFreeLink

-Fog Lights (EX-L and up)

Trim Levels

Ridgeline DX

Ridgeline VP (Value Added Pkg)

Ridgeline EX-L (All leather models may come with a Sunroof now)

Ridgeline EX-L SR? (didn't see this in the model matrix)

Ridgeline EX-L Navigation

Source; Honda Canada, vtec.net

Here's a link to an article on the changes;

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/08/2009-honda-ridgeline-facelift-gets.html

2009 Honda Ridgeline Spied!

Looks alot like the 2009 Honda Pilot front grill, look-an integrated hitch! More info. to come....

Source; http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-ridgeline-2009.html

Ridgeline Expected to Recieve a Substantial Facelift for 2009

No, it's not going to look quite like the above vehicle, I just happen to love the kit that is on this 2006 Honda Ridgline.

This is an apparent spyshot of the revised Ridgeline, I won't bother posting the rear shot, it's identical to the current version and will probably change as of release time sometime in the next month or so.

Vtec.net reports from an anonymous source that;

"the MMC is in fact taking place during model year 2009, and it will be appearing in showrooms sometime in July. Honda has reportedly informed its dealers that the Ridgeline has gone through a "large scale, minor-model change (MMC)". A "bolder look" is promised, along with "integrated towing features" and several new accessories. Styling improvements are said to have been executed to both the front and the rear of the vehicle. New features coming to the RTL model include 18" wheels and a rear-view camera. Also coming are two additional bed tie downs, daytime running lights (DRL), and a hitch integrated into the rear bumper. Interior enhancements are also coming, and a new soft tonneau cover will be offered."

1964 Honda T500, Honda Ridgeline 0.1?!?

Just thought I'd pass this one on, I had never seen one of these before and I stumbled accross this article here;

http://news.windingroad.com/etc/vintage-literature-1964-honda-t500/

10,226 of these trucks were produced from '64-'67 and were based on the smaller model, the T360, which was Honda's first mass produced vehicle. The T500 was available in a standard pick up truck model or with a flat bed with collapsable sides. These trucks were never exported out of Japan.

Aftermarket Honda Ridgeline Caps

I thought I'd put some information together on the two caps made for Honda Ridgelines that I know of, complete with links to the manufacturer's website.
Here is a LEER Cap and a link to the site;
http://www.capworld.com/TruckCapsLids/Leer/_100XQ.html

Here is the A.R.E. Cap and a link to the site;

http://www.4are.com/product/view_models.php?mk=h&md=r

Variable Torque Mangement 4-Wheel Drive System (VTM-4™) Explained

After studying various all-wheel- and four-wheel-drive systems offered by the wide variety of pickups on the market today, Ridgeline engineers concluded that virtually every one had functional shortcomings and was undesirably bulky and heavy. The direct result of that research was to use Honda's innovative fully automatic VTM-4 system. This fully automatic 4WD system is the best match for the Ridgeline owner and proactively distributes torque to all four wheels as needed. This system provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement cruising conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed to improve stability or maneuverability. Unlike many competitive systems that use an engagement strategy triggered by wheel slippage, the Ridgeline's VTM-4 system anticipates the need for all-wheel drive and engages the rear wheels before slippage begins. Additional torque is redistributed to the rear for improved performance during acceleration, especially on low friction surfaces and during towing. In addition, the VSA system provides a limited-slip differential effect by applying braking force to a slipping front wheel thereby directing driving force to the wheel with more grip.

Another special feature is a "VTM-4" lock button, located on the instrument panel, which temporarily holds engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction.

There are three distinct modes of VTM-4 engagement. The first – called the acceleration torque control (ATC) mode – is unique to this system. It works even on dry pavement to proactively distribute driving torque to all four wheels as the Ridgeline accelerates from a stop to cruising speed. One notable benefit of this mode is that traction is immediately available to move the vehicle from rest through a slippery intersection before slippage occurs. (Once a wheel slips, the traction available for forward propulsion and lateral restraint is significantly diminished.)

A second advantage is that apportioning drive torque among all four wheels greatly diminishes the likelihood of torque steer. Handling dynamics are also improved. Reducing the propulsive force carried by the front tires leaves more adhesion for steering the vehicle into a tight bend or for holding cornering arc in the middle of a turn. In other words, the Ridgeline's dynamic balance is greatly enhanced by ATC logic.

Rear wheel torque rises smoothly from zero to the optimum setting in proportion to vehicle acceleration (both forward and reverse). At higher speeds, the front wheels are capable of providing the desired thrust with excellent handling so torque delivered to the rear wheels automatically diminishes with speed. While cruising, all driving torque is delivered by the front wheels in the interests of smoothness, quietness, and fuel efficiency.

The second engagement mode uses wheel slippage control logic. If the difference in rotational speed between front and rear wheels rises because of a slippery surface or poor traction at the front of the vehicle, that condition is detected by wheel-speed sensors which are monitored by VTM-4's ECU. In response, the ECU commands an increasing amount of torque for the rear wheels. Torque is proportional to both slip rate and the rate at which the slip rate is increasing. This operation is similar to conventional slip-based all-wheel-drive systems already on the market.

The third mode of all-wheel-drive engagement activates when the driver presses the lock button mounted on the instrument panel. The maximum amount of rear-drive torque is locked in until the vehicle gets moving and exceeds six mph, at which time rear drive torque is gradually diminished. By 29 km/h, the lock mode is fully disengaged. When vehicle speed drops below 29 km/h, the lock mode automatically reengages. The shift lever must be in the first, second, or reverse-gear position to use the lock mode.

The maximum torque delivered to the rear wheels allows the Ridgeline to claw up a 28-degree (53-percent slope) dirt grade. On a split-mu (split-friction) grade (different amounts of traction at each wheel), VTM-4 automatically provides sufficient rear-wheel torque to help the vehicle climb steep and slippery terrain such as a steep driveway with patches of snow and ice.