Automotive News - April 21, 2008 - (Page 31)

APRIL 21, 2008 • 31 Honda’s new Pilot is bigger, more upscale Kathy Jackson kjackson@crain.com Changing Pilots Honda hopes to reach new customers with a bigger and more powerful 2009 Pilot. 2009 PILOT 2008 PILOT PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Honda expects to get back on track in mid-sized crossovers when its redesigned Pilot goes on sale in June. Introduced in 2002, the Pilot has grown long in the tooth. The result: a 23 percent drop in sales last year to 117,146. Honda projects mid-sized crossover sales will grow 60 percent through 2012 and wants its share of that growth. So before the Pilot’s overhaul, Honda teams visited consumers in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles to get their ideas. “Overall, the theme was family, more space and fuel economy,” Larry Geise, a design leader on the Pilot, said at a press event here. Consumers will get what they asked for. In addition, an upscale Touring trim line has been added to reach more affluent customers. The basics: The Pilot is an eight-passenger vehicle powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The new engine makes 250 hp and 253 pounds-feet of torque. That’s up 6 hp and 13 pounds-feet over the 2008 model. The engine features Honda’s latest version of its fuel-saving variable cylinder management technology, which operates in the six-, four- and three-cylinder modes. With the technology, the estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city/23 highway for the two-wheel-drive model is up 1 mpg for both city and highway driving. The four-wheel-drive version boasts 2 mpg more on the highway at 20 mpg and 1 mpg more in the city at 16 mpg. The 2009 model is nearly 3 inches longer and 1 inch wider. Interior volume is 4.1 cubic feet greater — most noticeably in the center console area and in the third row and cargo area behind the third row. The vehicle comes in four trim lines: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. The Touring model will sell for about $40,000, the most expensive Pilot ever. Notable features: Hill start assist is a first for a Honda vehicle. The system automatically prevents the truck from rolling back- Wheelbase Length Width Height Curb weight Engine Horsepower Torque, in lbs.-ft. Base price On sale *Estimate without shipping **Includes $635 shipping 109.2 in. 190.9 in. 78.5 in. 71.0 in. 4,312 lbs. 3.5-liter V-6 250 @ 5,700 rpm 253 @ 4,800 rpm $28,230* June 106.3 in. 188.0 in. 77.5 in. 71.7 in. 4,264 lbs. 3.5-liter V-6 244 @ 5,750 rpm 240 @ 4,500 rpm $27,500** ward when the driver switches from the brake to the accelerator pedal while stopped on a hill. For the first time, the Pilot gets the ACE body structure, which mitigates frontal collisions. In addition, as many as four child seats can be installed, compared with two for the 2008 model. The base Touring model has navigation as standard equipment. The top-of-the-line Touring model has both navigation and a rear entertainment system as standard. What Honda says: “We are looking at more affluent customers who are not interested in a luxury vehicle,” said senior product planner Rob Keough. “That’s the reason for the Touring trim line.” Shortcomings and compromises: The exterior design looks more like a boxy, traditional SUV, not the contemporary look of newer crossovers such as the GMC Acadia and Hyundai Veracruz. The market: Almost every major automaker has entries in the To boost fuel economy, the 2009 Honda Pilot’s 3.5-liter V-6 engine operates in six-, four- and three-cylinder modes. segment. Honda cites the Acadia, Veracruz and Mazda CX-9 as notable new competitors, along with the upcoming Ford Flex and Chevrolet Traverse. Honda is targeting a younger and more affluent customer for the 2009 Pilot. The automaker expects to sell about 140,000 units annually, 65 percent of them the 4wd model. The company projects that 70 percent of its sales will be the EX-L and Touring trim lines. The skinny: The Pilot has been a formidable competitor in the segment. Though it won’t be a cakewalk, the 2009 model will get its fair share of sales. c http://Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://Pick-n-ClickAds.com http://Pick-N-ClickAds.com

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Automotive News - April 21, 2008 Reorganization plan gives more muscle to 4 sales-channel execs Hummer plummets, Saturn soars in sales per franchise Chrysler-Nissan: Loads of partnership potential LIFESTYLE PICKUPS Strike averted Friday at GM transmission plant Hyundai to phase out Tiburon Veteran lobbyist looks back on decades-long mpg battle Autonews.com offers news customization GM offers free digital marketing package to dealers Lithia extends vehicle repair warranty to 3 years/50,000 miles With new products, is there life in Saturn? Ford plans $100M-plus F-150 launch Ford broadens its diesel strategy GM pitches its management system to dealers Supplier to help Mahindra offer diesel hybrid Transplants top 40% of N.A. output in March Geely chief: 'We are still an ant' Honda could import cars from China GM redirects efforts to serve emerging markets Beijing showstoppers New Challenger is appetizer for full line in 2009 Last week, I got a glimpse of the future Service contracts: Federal oversight is needed Delphi mess drags on Can't we stop importing oil? Ryan revolutionized this business An editorial glass ceiling? Driving on hydrogen — pros and cons BMW should build even more here Not what New York ordered Magna exec: More suppliers will fail Canada sales off 0.4% in March Bosch pushes crash avoidance Chrysler plans hybrid Dodge Ram Honda engineer is honored by SAE for safety efforts Panel: Diesels may hit 20% of U.S. market by 2020 Automotive News PACE Awards: Night of black ties, trophies, praise PACE Awards honor innovation Truck sales drop 31% in March Honda's new Pilot is bigger, more upscale In China, GM looks to fresh vehicles in 2009 U.S. economic woes hurt shareholder values Judge refuses to toss GMC franchise-award case Dealers Farley: Ford's marketing team is ready to roll Landry: Chrysler's consolidation will spawn service-only stores Profits up at Johnson Controls Hyundai to fix airbag problem GM to build $200 million Brazil plant Convis is CEO of Dana Holding Denso names Katoh CEO Stephen Feinberg speaks! Hogan eyes CEO spot in startup Chrysler reviving its global dreams? How I saved Delphi: A work in progress Tesla Motors' lawsuit: Designer Fisker ripped us off Concert in the key of C-3PO

Automotive News - April 21, 2008

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