15 Jan 08
Honda is to update its large US market SUV, the Alabama-built Pilot. This eight-seat model - pretty huge by European standards, but dubbed a 'midsize' by the Yanks - gets a restyle inside and out, a redesign of its interior layout and technology to improve safety and fuel efficiency.
On sale springtime, the more boldly-styled Pilot gets revisions to its unibody platform, with better crash protection and pedestrian safety protection, and modifications to refine handling and ride comfort. Its V6 petrol engine introduces the latest version of Honda's fuel-saving cylinder-shutdown technology.
Passenger space is said to have been enhanced in all seating positions, with better legroom and more cargo capacity. The central instrument stack and console have been redesigned, and the 60:40-split second row slides further forward for improved access to the third row of seats, which has more legroom. Each of the outer seats folds down separately, and a fully-flat load bay floor can be created.
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