So Honda IS building a truck? WTH? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

DEI37 · 01-15-2004, 05:18 PM

Honda is set to move into new territory with a truck-SUV crossover vehicle. The SUT concept that premiered in Detroit points the way to a production vehicle for 2005.

Motivated by the desire to create a pickup “in a Honda way,” Honda’s designers have come up with a vehicle that bridges the gap between pickup and SUV for the demanding, leisure and family user.

“The pickup market is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers,” said Tom Elliot, executive vice president of American Honda. “The Honda SUT concept takes this to the next level with higher levels of refinement and sophistication is a sporty and socially responsible package.”

Built on Honda’s global light truck platform, the SUT seats five and has a wide 5-foot bed. Unlike most trucks that are chassis-built, it has the unibody construction more typical of sedans and small SUVs. This allows Honda to create highly efficient packaging in a vehicle that offers a comfortable, refined passenger experience with a pickup bed big enough to accommodate a motorcycle or even an ATV.

The target customer for the SUT is the “cool dad”—the young, active father who’s highly engaged with his family and has an active, outdoor lifestyle.

The SUT gets all-independent suspension, all-wheel disc brakes with electronically controlled four-wheel drive, stability control, and intelligent side, front and curtain airbags. Power comes from a V6 Honda VTEC engine offering low emissions, while the vehicle has safety features designed to protect pedestrians and other vehicles in the event of an accident.

The vehicle’s toughness is hinted at by a styling scheme inspired by billet-machined aluminum. Inside, neat touches include Maglites integrated into the front doors and storage bins made from climbing rope.

Honda promised a first look at the production version of this vehicle at next year’s show.

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Kind of looks like the idea that GMC is using in the Envoy SUT. Personally, I think it's an area that Honda needs to stay out of, but then again, I'm not a fan of the imports, either. What are your thoughts?

merkerguitars · 01-15-2004, 05:23 PM

Holy shit...hell just froze over....well at least it will be reliable and easy to work on but parts will be expensive...lol...but the question is...can you rice it out?

JusticeForPhat · 01-15-2004, 06:07 PM

“The pickup market is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers,” said Tom Elliot

Not to troll, but shouldn't this read " . . . of a generation of truck buyers that very rarely ever use there trucks to do anything other than move people with." I enjoy Honda's craftmanship as much as the next, but if your going to make a truck make a real one, not one with a 4 foot bed.

bad30th · 01-15-2004, 06:13 PM

looks like an Avalanche to me

silent_jay · 01-15-2004, 07:38 PM

looks like an avalanche with a cleaned up front end, and not so jagged styling. nice truck as for the 4 foot bed i hope they do something about that. hey the Titan by Nissan is the best looking new truck. Hopefully Honda can jump into the market good job Honda

phaedrus · 01-15-2004, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bad30th
looks like an Avalanche to me

My thoughts. It's not been a secret Honda was going to come out with a truck, a couple years ago, they told us they would have one for sale in the States in 2005. But this is the first I've seen a prototype of it. I'm seriously dissappointed.

Sure it will last longer, have less problems, and cost less than the Avalanche. But it still looks like the avalanche. Honda seriously needs to hire a new design staff.

SVT01Cobra · 01-15-2004, 08:16 PM

VERY nice looking truck, very clean, very smooth. And one HELL of a sexy ass!

Good job Honda!

a1t3r3g0 · 01-15-2004, 08:37 PM

If the production version looks JUST like that, it will sell like hotcakes.

I hope Honda doesn't do like others and dumb down the production version (ala the new Mustang).

MSD · 01-15-2004, 08:45 PM

They should offer this and a version with more picup bed instead of back seats. Looks nice, hopefully they won't "improve" it before production.

silent_jay · 01-15-2004, 08:53 PM

yeah improvement usually mean screw-ups why don't car companies leave well enough alone.

01-15-2004, 05:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	So Honda IS building a truck? WTH? Honda's "Truck" Honda is set to move into new territory with a truck-SUV crossover vehicle. The SUT concept that premiered in Detroit points the way to a production vehicle for 2005. Motivated by the desire to create a pickup “in a Honda way,” Honda’s designers have come up with a vehicle that bridges the gap between pickup and SUV for the demanding, leisure and family user. “The pickup market is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers,” said Tom Elliot, executive vice president of American Honda. “The Honda SUT concept takes this to the next level with higher levels of refinement and sophistication is a sporty and socially responsible package.” Built on Honda’s global light truck platform, the SUT seats five and has a wide 5-foot bed. Unlike most trucks that are chassis-built, it has the unibody construction more typical of sedans and small SUVs. This allows Honda to create highly efficient packaging in a vehicle that offers a comfortable, refined passenger experience with a pickup bed big enough to accommodate a motorcycle or even an ATV. The target customer for the SUT is the “cool dad”—the young, active father who’s highly engaged with his family and has an active, outdoor lifestyle. The SUT gets all-independent suspension, all-wheel disc brakes with electronically controlled four-wheel drive, stability control, and intelligent side, front and curtain airbags. Power comes from a V6 Honda VTEC engine offering low emissions, while the vehicle has safety features designed to protect pedestrians and other vehicles in the event of an accident. The vehicle’s toughness is hinted at by a styling scheme inspired by billet-machined aluminum. Inside, neat touches include Maglites integrated into the front doors and storage bins made from climbing rope. Honda promised a first look at the production version of this vehicle at next year’s show. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kind of looks like the idea that GMC is using in the Envoy SUT. Personally, I think it's an area that Honda needs to stay out of, but then again, I'm not a fan of the imports, either. What are your thoughts? __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

01-15-2004, 05:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Holy shit...hell just froze over....well at least it will be reliable and easy to work on but parts will be expensive...lol...but the question is...can you rice it out? __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

01-15-2004, 07:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	looks like an avalanche with a cleaned up front end, and not so jagged styling. nice truck as for the 4 foot bed i hope they do something about that. hey the Titan by Nissan is the best looking new truck. Hopefully Honda can jump into the market good job Honda __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

01-15-2004, 08:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	yeah improvement usually mean screw-ups why don't car companies leave well enough alone. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

01-15-2004, 06:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
JusticeForPhat Crazy Location: Philly	“The pickup market is evolving to meet the changing tastes of a new generation of truck buyers,” said Tom Elliot Not to troll, but shouldn't this read " . . . of a generation of truck buyers that very rarely ever use there trucks to do anything other than move people with." I enjoy Honda's craftmanship as much as the next, but if your going to make a truck make a real one, not one with a 4 foot bed.

01-15-2004, 06:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
bad30th Insane Location: [insert witty play on location field here]	looks like an Avalanche to me

01-15-2004, 08:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
SVT01Cobra Psycho Location: Somewhere, Missouri	VERY nice looking truck, very clean, very smooth. And one HELL of a sexy ass! Good job Honda!

01-15-2004, 08:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
a1t3r3g0 Psycho Location: 127.0.0.1	If the production version looks JUST like that, it will sell like hotcakes. I hope Honda doesn't do like others and dumb down the production version (ala the new Mustang).

01-15-2004, 08:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	They should offer this and a version with more picup bed instead of back seats. Looks nice, hopefully they won't "improve" it before production.