Honda Ridgeline

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Honda Ridgeline

Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2006—present
Assembly	Alliston, Ontario, Canada
Class	Mid-size pickup truck
Engine	3.5 L 247 hp V6
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	122.00 in.
Length	206.80 in.
Width	77.80 in.
Height	70.30 in.
Fuel capacity	22 gal.
Related	Acura MDX Acura TL Honda Pilot Honda Accord Honda Odyssey
Similar	Chevrolet Avalanche Ford Explorer Sport Trac

The Honda Ridgeline is a mid-size crossover vehicle produced by the Japanese automaker Honda. The Ridgeline is Honda's intended first foray into the North American pickup truck market. The Ridgeline is built in Alliston, Ontario, Canada alongside the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, and was released in March 2005 as a 2006 model. The Ridgeline was awarded Motor Trend's Truck of the Year for 2006.

1 Unibody architecture
2 Equipment
3 Honda's 4WD Traction System
4 External links
5 Awards
6 References

[edit] Unibody architecture

The Honda Ridgeline uses unibody architecture ladder frame / unibody hybrid chassis. This design gives it 2.5 times more bending rigidity and 20% more torsional rigidity than the standard ladder frame only type of chassis construction, while retaining the load carrying capacity of the traditional ladder frame. This design combined with the Ridgelines' four-wheel independent suspension creates enough space for Honda to create the first pickup truck to include a storage trunk below the bed. To aid access to the trunk, the Ridgeline features a dual hinged tailgate, which in addition to opening conventionally can also be swung to the side. The bed is integrated with the body, similar to the Chevrolet Avalanche. It is rated as having a 5000 lb towing capacity and a 1100 lb bed capacity

Honda says that as a result of market research they concluded that a truck with robust yet medium-duty off-road capability was most consistent with the needs of the customer.

[edit] Equipment

Anti-lock brakes, heated windshield, four wheel drive locking mode, and VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) with off switch (for off- road use), and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment. The Ridgeline also has a large rear seat with the ability to fold-up creating a floor to ceiling cargo space. Four trim levels are available: basic RT, RTX, sport RTS and premium RTL (with optional moonroof or moonroof and GPS Navigation).

The RTX, introduced with the 2007 model, adds gray-painted alloy wheels, an alternate grill, body-colored door handles, and factory tow package. The RTS offers different upholstery material and adds a 6-CD changer, subwoofer, body-colored mirrors, silver-painted alloy wheels, and dual zone climate control system. The RTL adds leather trimmed upholstery, and for the 2007 model year, a moonroof and XM radio are standard on the RTL.

[edit] Honda's 4WD Traction System

The Ridgeline is powered by a transversely mounted J35A91 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission.

The real-time all-wheel drive system operates in front-wheel drive mode under normal conditions and automatically transfers power to either rear wheel via a locking differential when it senses a loss of traction in the front. The VTM-4 system can be locked in first, second or reverse gears at speeds under 18 mph.

The VTM-4 lock (rear diff lock) works in full rear power mode up until 6mph then it gradually transitions to power to the front and releases the VTM-4 lock at 18mph^[1].

The 4WD system has been tested on and has completed the following obstacle course by Honda engineers.

The list of test courses includes:

28-degree dirt hill, Sand hill, Water pit, Rock roads, Embedded log course, Step-up, step-down, Sand drag strip, Gully course, Ground contact course, Washboard road, Frame twister, Power hop hill (23-degree slope with rippled surface), Gravel road, Startable grade,

Interestingly, the Honda Ridgeline completed the Baja 1000 (November 06) in the Stock Mini Class. All vehicles in the Stock Mini Class compete with a stock engine, transmission and 4WD system. [1]

[edit] External links

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Honda road car timeline, 1980s—present v • d • e

1980s

1990s

2000s

Ridgeline

[edit] Awards

Motor Trend truck of the year 2006
North American Truck of the year 2006
Detroit News truck of the year 2006
Consumer Reports top rated truck
J.D. Power & Associates 2005 APEAL award for the Honda Ridgeline
Autobytel 2006 Editors' Choice Award: Truck of the year 2006
Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Best New Pickup 2006
On Wheels Incorporated: Ridgeline 2006 Urban Wheel Award for the Urban Truck of the Year
Strategic Vision's coveted "Most Delightful" compact pickup award
Best rollover resistance rating of any pickup tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety, Administration (NHTSA)
First-ever 4-door pickup to earn a 5-star safety rating for both front and side impact crash, test performance from the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
Society of Plastic Engineers 2005 Grand Award (composite inbed trunk)
Car And Driver Rates Honda Ridgeline #1 Pickup, AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award as the 'Most Significant' new vehicle in the show
Maxim Truck Of The Year 2006
2007 Automobile Magazine All Star award Top 10 cars for 2007