LIHU‘E — The first truck, a pickup, ever manufactured by the Honda Motor Company, earlier this Auto Center arrived on Kaua‘i month, as King officials unveiled the new 2006 Honda Ridgeline. Coming as a fourdoor, extended-cab model only, the Ridgeline
LIHU‘E — The first truck, a pickup, ever manufactured by the Honda Motor Company, earlier this Auto Center arrived on Kaua‘i month, as King officials unveiled the new 2006 Honda Ridgeline.
Coming as a fourdoor, extended-cab model only, the Ridgeline is touted to be able to carry a halfton of cargo as well as tow up to 5,000 pounds, the rig being powered by a 255 horsepower VTEC V-6 featuring 24 valves. Power is managed by a five-speed, automatic transmission.
A Variable Torque Management 4-wheel drive system (VTM-4) with locking rear differential enables the creature to handle most roads with ease.
Constructed of fully boxed High-Strength Steel (HSS) frame rails with internal stiffeners, the pickup has a cargo bed constructed of steel-reinforced composite, with a dual-opening tailgate, and a lockable, weatherized trunk located at the rear of the bed, the trunk also sharing its space with a spare tire, but allowing ample room for storing and securing material. Safety features include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, as well as front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS). Additionally, the Ridgeline is equipped with side-curtain air-bags, with rollover detection.
Additional safety features include an electronic brake distribution system as well as Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control.
The 2006 Honda Ridgeline, making its first public appearances on ads played during the Super Bowl, comes in three levels of trim and performance, the RT, the RTS, and the RTL, with two additional options being added on the RTL version.
These include a moonroof version, or for the ultimate in packages, a moonroof as well as a Honda Satellite-Linked Navigational System.
Creature comforts include a choice of either a 100-watt AM/FM/XM-ready/CD system with six speakers, or a 160-watt system featuring a 6-disc, indash, CD changer.
More convenience items include power windows, door locks, and mirrors, a multi-functional center console with sliding armrests, a 60/40 lift-up rear seat with underseat storage, and a power sliding rear cabin window.
Besides the dual-open tailgate that opens conventionally via a center release, or swings sideways via a concealed release, the Ridgeline touts an automatic, heated wiper zone, remote-entry system, foldable side mirrors, privacy glass, integrated bed lights (there are four of them) with auto-off timer, heavy-duty tow hooks front and rear, and a hidden, roof-mounted antenna.
Roof racks, brush guards, fender flares and fog lights are just some of the accessories available as add-ons to the new truck on the block, and although not shown on the online Web site, a bed extender looked to be another promising add-on.
For more information, or a personal look at Honda’s entry into the truck marketplace, visit King Auto Center, or for more convenience, visit the Ridgeline Web site at www.ridgeline.honda.com.
- Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
