2008 Honda Ridgeline Continues to Redefine the Pickup 'Standard' with In-Bed Trunk, Four-wheel Independent Suspension and Safety Equipment
As a unique entrant in the half-ton pickup truck segment, the mid-sized Honda Ridgeline provides a number of innovative and industry-exclusive features with its 8.5 cubic-foot In-Bed Trunk™, a smooth and responsive four-wheel independent suspension, and standard safety equipment that includes side-curtain airbags and Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®).
For 2008, a new wheel design with 'machined styling' appears on the Ridgeline RTS and RTL, and the fabric interiors on the Ridgeline RT, RTX and RTS change from dual-tone styling to a contemporary single tone style.
'The Honda Ridgeline places a high priority on refinement, packaging and the everyday needs of pickup truck users,' said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 'Innovative functionality combined with a long list of standard equipment puts the Ridgeline in a class of its own.'
The four-door, five-passenger Ridgeline is built on a closed-box unit-body frame that combines the strength characteristics of a ladder frame with the handling and packaging advantages of a unit-body design. Powertrain highlights include a 247-horsepower 3.5-liter VTEC® V-6 engine, a 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission and a Variable Torque Management® 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4®) - all as standard equipment. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and all Ridgelines are ready-to-tow with the addition of an available accessory trailer hitch (standard on the Ridgeline RTX). Additionally, all models come equipped with standard transmission and oil coolers, heavy duty brakes, dual radiator fans and pre-wiring for 4- and 7-pin trailer hook up (wired on RTX).
A 5-foot composite cargo bed provides half-ton payload capacity and features six heavy duty tie-down cleats and four integrated bed lights. A dual-action tailgate opens down or to the side for ease-of-access to the lockable In-Bed Trunk, which has enough space for a large 72-quart cooler or three golf bags.
Standard comfort and convenience features on the Ridgeline RT include air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; power windows and door locks, power sliding rear window; cruise control; keyless entry; automatic heated wiper zone; six-speaker, 100-watt audio system with CD player; 60/40 split lift-up rear seat with underseat storage; and all-weather floor mats. Based on the Ridgeline RT, the Ridgeline RTX exclusively provides a standard trailer hitch and 4- and 7-pin trailer wiring, along with alloy wheels, an accessory grille and body-color painted door handles.
The Ridgeline RTS adds a seven-speaker 160-watt audio system with subwoofer and six-disc, in-dash audio system with steering wheel-mounted controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver's seat and alloy wheels.
The RTL adds a leather-trimmed interior with heated front seats, moonroof, XM® Satellite Radio, HomeLink® remote system, and an interior compass in the rearview mirror. A Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System® with voice recognition and MP3/ auxiliary input jack is available (and replaces the rear-view mirror interior compass).
The Ridgeline was the first-ever 4-door pickup to receive federal government's top 5-star safety rating, the highest safety rating possible, for both frontal and side impacts . In keeping with the Honda 'Safety for Everyone' initiative, all Ridgeline trucks are equipped with standard anti-lock brakes; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control; brake assist; advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags; front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System(OPDS); and two-row side-curtain airbags with rollover sensor. A tire pressure monitoring system is also standard.
The closed box unit-body architecture delivers vastly superior rigidity compared to traditional body-on-frame designs and provides the foundation for the Ridgeline's spacious interior cabin and bed, outstanding safety performance and class-leading ride and handling performance.
The all-aluminum, 60-degree, SOHC 3.5-liter VTEC engine produces 247-horsepower at 5700 rpm and 245 lb-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm. Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC®) enhances low rpm torque while extending high rpm horsepower. The result is a broad torque curve that starts early at low rpms while still delivering top-end horsepower.
The fully-automatic VTM-4 system provides confident, decision-free operation in rain, snow, ice, sand and mud, while also improving on-road and towing performance by distributing torque to all four wheels as needed. The system provides front-wheel drive for dry-pavement cruising conditions and engages all-wheel drive when needed. The VSA system can apply braking force to a wheel with low traction and direct driving force to the wheel with more traction. For the rear differential, a 'VTM-4' lock button located on the instrument panel allows the driver to temporarily hold engagement of both rear wheels to aid traction while in gears '1' and '2.'
Source - HondaHonda Civic and Ridgeline Rank Highest in Segment for Total Quality in Strategic Vision Customer Survey
The Honda Civic and the Honda Ridgeline rate as top vehicles in their segments according to the 2007 Strategic Vision Total Quality Index™ (TQI), a measure of new vehicle owner satisfaction.
The TQI survey asks buyers to rate all aspects of the ownership experience, from buying and owning to driving. The Honda Civic scores highest in the small car segment, with a TQI rating of 882 (segment average 847). The Honda Ridgeline scores highest in the standard pickup segment with a TQI rating of 879 (segment average 841).
The 2007 Honda Civic lineup features a well-equipped and technologically-advanced Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe, an ultra-efficient Civic Hybrid, a dedicated natural-gas powered Civic GX and an ultra-sporty Civic Si Coupe and Sedan. The Ridgeline pickup has introduced a number of innovative and exclusive new features to the half-ton truck segment including an In-Bed Trunk™ and a fully independent four-wheel suspension.
To calculate TQI, Strategic Vision analyzes responses from more than 27,000 buyers who purchased 2007 model year vehicles in September, October and November of 2006. The San Diego-based research firm's 2007 results are based on the ratings of new vehicle owners in 19 product segments.
Source - HondaHundreds of Balloons Will Compete Mid-Air During Honda Ridgeline Key Grab
Imagine hundreds of colorful hot-air balloons in the early morning blue sky attempting to maneuver close to one of six poles to grab a prize envelope. This impressive mid-air spectacle, the Key Grab Competition presented by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., will take place on the Balloon Fiesta launch field at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Friday, Oct. 12 at 8 a.m., and one lucky balloonist will win a new Honda Ridgeline.
Balloonists have to successfully navigate among hundreds of other balloons heading for the same spot, and, per the rules, they may use only the wind to get to the prize pole at the right altitude and the right time. To add even more challenge, the balloonists may only grab the prize envelope with their hands. For spectators, this is one of Balloon Fiesta's most watchable and spectacular events!
Balloons will launch from outside of the field and fly south. Six thirty-foot tall flexible PVC poles will be placed upright on the field about fifty yards apart. The top of each pole will have a sealed envelope. One envelope will award a Honda Ridgeline truck; the remaining envelopes contain prizes from other sponsors.
When: Balloon launch at 7:00 a.m.; key grab begins at approx. 8:00 a.m.
Where: Balloon Fiesta Launch Field
Who: Hundreds of balloon pilots; all are eligible to participate
Spokesperson: Issaac Gooden, Manager, Honda Events & Promotions (available on-site from 6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.)
In further support of the Balloon Fiesta, Honda Power Equipment is the official generator of the event and the official sponsor of the event's RV Park.
About Honda RidgelineThe Ridgeline is a half-ton pickup with some cool surprises like a dual-action tailgate and a spacious, lockable In-Bed Trunk™. Únder the hood, a 3.5-liter V-6 engine provides 247 horsepower and 245 lb.-ft. of torque. The Ridgeline is built on a reinforced, rigid unit body structure and is equipped with sophisticated safety systems and more.
Source - Honda
