The Ridgeline is still one of a kind but that won’t be last for too long, as a couple of brand-new unibody pickups are on the way. Therefore, many Honda enthusiasts believe the Japanese manufacturer should come up with something new, to stand out from the crowd. The first thing that comes to mind is a hi-performance version, which would come with the famous “Type R” badge. Even though this is just pure speculation, many believe we could see this model already this year, though in the form of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept.
Although this is just a rumor at the moment, it’s quite easy to create a picture of how the new model would look like. Naturally, we would see more power under the hood, but also all kinds of other upgrades, both in terms of mechanics and aesthetics. Finally, we would see some exclusive interior details, along with exclusive additions to the list of standard equipment.
2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept Design
As we already mentioned, some things about the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept are quite easy to predict. Although the new version would be heavily based on the standard model, we would definitely see typical Type R upgrades. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the suspension setup, which would be significantly different. Interestingly, this particular version wouldn’t go in the same direction as models like Tacoma TRD Pro or Ranger Raptor, which are rather highly-capable off-roaders.
The 2021 Ridgeline Type R Concept would rather be a sports truck, something that has been a little bit forgotten these days. However, older generations remember very well the legendary F-150 Lighting and Silverado SS models, so Honda’s iteration could bring back that iconic flavor. This means a stiffer setup, with much lower ground clearance. Along with the model’s light unibody chassis, this promises some pretty sporty performances.
2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept Engine
Of course, the most interesting aspect of the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept would probably be the engine. As we are talking about a concept, there is no reason why not to go beyond limits. Therefore, we count on significantly more power compared to the standard version, which is good for about 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque.
The Type R Concept would probably use the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the basis. However, it would undergo significant upgrades. This would include the addition of a turbocharger, in a typical Type R manner.
So, you probably wonder how much power this engine would be able to deliver. Although it’s still early for estimations, we presume that all these upgrades would raise the max output up to 450 or more horsepower. With such an amount of power, the 0-60 time would probably go under 5 seconds.
Another thing that comes to mind is the transmission. If you’re familiar with Type R models, you know very well that they are all about manual shifter. Still, it’s hard to say if this is possible in this truck, so we wouldn’t mind if the Type R Concept arrives with an automatic gearbox either. However, we would expect to see paddle shifters in this case.
Styling
Of course, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept would have to feature the styling that follows such an upgrade in terms of performance. Naturally, the styling would be based on the recently updated iteration of the truck, which includes a new front end. However, we would also see significant upgrades in terms of bodywork. Things that come to our minds are aggressive bumpers, side skirts, upgraded exhaust pipes and many other things. Of course, we also count on unique wheels, with lower-profile tires, as well as on some exclusive color options.
Interior
The same story should go for the interior design. At this point, it’s early to talk about such details. Still, if we consider the division’s typical design approach, the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept should get a quite similar treatment. This would include all kinds of upgrades, starting from red interior and sporty Recaro seats. Furthermore, we would expect to see a new instrument cluster and shifter, as well as a couple of other upgrades.
Premiere and Possible Production
Despite that the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Concept is still just a rumor, we strongly believe that there is a big chance to see this truck soon. Of course, the premiere would take place at some of the major car shows during 2021, though it’s still hard to make some more precise predictions, due to the Coronavirus pandemics.
If this version becomes a serial model one day, we presume it won’t be affordable. Moreover, we estimate that the starting price would go pretty close to 50.000 dollars.
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