Jalopnik
When we saw the 2009 Honda Pilot in person, we couldn't help but notice it looked conspicuously different from the Honda Pilot sketch released earlier by Honda. It's not news that sketches are often exaggerated versions of the production models (few production models end up with 40-inch rims, for instance). But the Honda Pilot sketch v. Honda Pilot reality is a particularly striking difference. Our analysis below the jump.
Overall, the sketch was significantly more aggressive looking than anything we'd expected from Honda. Thus, we were not surprised when the final version showed up as a rather milquetoast version of what was hinted at.
1. Ginormous Wheels &ndash Though the wheels and fenders are larger than sketched, the real difference is the aggressive looking five spokes get swapped for very urban looking six spokes.
2. Ride Height &ndash The Pilot does carry some stature into the production model: it is disappointingly not two feet off the ground.
3. Bumper/Grille/Hood &ndash The sketch promised a refined Grand Cherokee from the front, with sharply raked headlights and grille. What we ended up with is less macho off-roader and more doughy eyed, bucktooth kid from the end of the block who isn't quite right.
4. Short Greenhouse &ndash We knew this was too good to be true. A short, sporty greenhouse on a Honda SUV? The high, slightly angling beltline that was so compelling in the sketch becomes too Duplo block on the production version.
5. Mirrors &ndash We were hoping that Honda would be bold enough to build a truck without mirrors. No luck.
6. Curves &ndash The rear is the most misleading portion. Taking into account that, yes, the car has taillights, there's basically nothing about the curvy rear quarter of the sketch that makes it into the actual production model.
7. Door handles &ndash Once again Honda gives into the pressure we've put on automakers to provide door handles. Wimps.
While we're mostly having a little fun at Honda's expense over a practice that all automakers engage in, this particular example is particularly hilarious given that they released the sketch in December and have been testing this version since at least August according to Honda Pilot spy photos from earlier in the year.
Comments
I think the worst case of this was the Ferrari 612. It looks amazing in the sketches and awful in reality.
Honda Pilot, You look NOTHING like your MySpace Picture, either!
First, here's the cool thing the stylists dreamed up and wanted to build...and over here is what the bean counters and marketing men finally decided to let us build.
@Bento: haha nice one
Early sketches of the previous generation Malibu vs the actual model were very deceptive too. However, the Pilot one takes the cake for completely misleading people on the look of the production model. There's nothing really in common between the two.
She says she likes adventures in the wild, but I bet if you took her there, she'd be too afraid to get muddy. What a tease.
4. Haven't you been grilling the 300M & H2 for their gun-slit windows, now you bustin' Honda's chops for not having them? Mind up your make.
@Mark: [www.carbodydesign.com]
The thing went from a Grand Cherokee ripoff to a Nitro crossed with a GM minivan. Fun.
I'll never forget when I was working at a Honda dealer and the '96 Civic was coming out. Honda released a sketch of the hatchback at a dealer meeting that looked really agressive and there was some great feedback from the dealers about it. Back then, there wasn't much internet and almost zero spy photos, so when the thing arrived everyone was seeing it for the first time. It was so disappointing when that hideous fucker rolled off the truck. It wasn't even close to the sketch and back then the headlights totally put everyone off.
@contender: Exactly. Welcome back, Uplander Relay thing.
Ehh, It could be worse, have you seen the Acura version of this thing? Kee-rist, WTF, Don't Go There, TMI.
It's one fuggly station wagon.
And yes, that's what these things are; station wagons.
Seeing this makes me realize why my sister bought a Grand Cherokee instead of an Odessey - I mean what is this thing called a Pilot.
Isuzu Trooper from the A-Pillar back. They thoughtfully added the new Explorer's grille to the nose.
But, she's got a great personality...
@FreeMan: Yeah, I would honestly sort of prefer big dorky greenhouses to come back to cars again. Driving the last couple of cars I've rented has felt like squinting at everything on the road. When I get back to my old Toyota it feels like I'm driving some sort of enchanted soap bubble.
When I saw the concept sketch I said "go Honda!" now that I see the wonky prodctin version I say "no really, go Honda."
My dad drives a 1st generation Pilot, and it's a great "truck," or as he likes to call it, "Man-van." Unfortunately, these things are getting uglier and uglier with each coming iteration, and it wasn't that pretty to begin with.
@athodyd: never gonna happen. we're actually making the window slits smaller b/c of advances like cameras and such. it's all for the sporty, wide-track, aerodynamic look. it's kinda a disease designers have. we'll call it LOwerWiderSquatter Syndrome, or LOWS for you acronym-lovers.
Everything today looks like morphed roadkill. Maybe I'll live long enough to see aerodynamics come back in fashion.
.. wow - someone was bored doing this comparo; nothing new here imo.
Hilarious...
Yeah... Honda including doorhandles kills it for me. LOL.
I thought I was the only freak who thought it was very untrueful(?)loyal(?)to the sketches
So...you can make a Pilot look even boringer.
the sketch actually looks great.. shame
There is an easy way to clean up the mess that is the production model. Push the front wheel forward (until the wheel arch touches the where the bumper fades into the fender then lengthen the front doors (thus making the rear ones narrower). Voila.
Oooh, Honda's jumped on the latest electronics fad. With that big HDMI port for a grille, the new Pilot offers High Definition.
... unfortunately to me, this thing looks like an antiquated black & white TV. I can't stand to look at it!
@my favorite car is a motorcycle: Holy mother of conspiracies.. you're RIGHT!! Good call on the HDMI grill.
Next up... "Blu-ray" headlights!!! (the housings are kind of... blu)
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