Saturday, November 12, 2011

Public debut for new 2012 Honda Pilot at Dubai Motor show

The new 2012 Honda Pilot made its public debut yesterday at the Dubai International Motor Show. With a new styling for front facia and refined instrument panel, the 8-seater SUV receives significant improvements in exterior and interior styling.

For the 2012 model other significant improvements include the introduction of top-of-the-line Touring grade and includes new features like HDD navigation system, DVD rear entertainment system, intelligent MID (i-MID), wide mode rear view camera, Bluetooth hands free phone and Bluetooth Audio Streaming, 18” alloy wheels and many more.

The 2012 Honda Pilot is available in 4 grades in the UAE: EX (AED 129,999/-), EX-C (AED 139,999/-), EX-D (AED 144,999/-) and Touring (AED 164,999/-).

Al-Futtaim Honda is the exclusive distributor for Honda vehicles, motorcycles, marine engines, power products and parts in the UAE.

REFINED EXTERIOR & INTERIOR STYLING

The front fascia with three bar chrome grille imparts stronger yet refined appearance. The large multi-reflector halogen headlights and front fog lights also contribute to Pilot’s bolder character. The front air dams and air deflectors reduce turbulence and enhance fuel economy while adding a touch of style.

The Touring grade includes 6-spoke 18-inch aluminum wheel with a striking design and the EX grade is equipped with 5-spoke, 17-inch aluminum wheel.

Interior styling is simplified with the AC selector knob now easier to use. Speedometer and tachometer gauges are sharper and easy to read with new, large clear digits and brilliant white background lighting at night. Redesigned center stack features a U-shaped character line that breaks the flat look. The varying textures on the dashboard surface create layers that are easily distinguishable with touch and sight.

BODY DESIGN

The 2012 Honda Pilot uses 52% of high strength steel (HSS) for more rigidity and better fuel efficiency. In addition, it incorporates underbody features like front and rear strakes, rear mudguards and optimized splash shield for improved aerodynamic and under body cooling.

Pilot’s excellent ride handling and comfort for all occupants are achieved due to high performance suspension geometry with hydraulic bushings, large tires, large front and rear brake package, active control mounts and high flow dual exhausts reduced road vibration and improved stability under all driving conditions.

The Noise, Vibration, Harshness (NVH) levels are improved in 2012 Honda Pilot by improving the body seam sealing around the unit-body connection points and retuned rear suspension sub-frame mounts. Furthermore, the acoustic windshield glass and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology cancels booming noise by emitting identical out of phase sound from audio speakers ensuring lower NVH levels under all conditions.

POWERTRAIN

The 2012 Pilot is equipped with 3.5 – liter i-VTEC V6 engine with VCM technology to ensure optimal balance of power and fuel efficiency. The maximum (NET) power and torque output (NET) is 257 PS @ 5,700 rpm and 35.4 kg-m @ 4,800 rpm – respectively.

The Pilot engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission system that has Grade Logic Control to maintain the appropriate gear thus preventing gear “hunting” while uphill or downhill drive. The VTM-4 system on Pilot delivers seamless 4-wheel-drive when needed. The VTM-4 system also provides a "lock mode" (available when in first or second gears up to 28 kmph) which is activated by a button on the instrument panel. In “lock model” the VTM-4 delivers maximum possible torque transfer to the rear wheels which aids extraction from extremely low traction or stuck conditions.

SAFETY

The principal safety feature used on all Honda models is the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure for enhanced frontal collision energy management and vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash compatibility.

Standard on all grades, the passive safety features include dual-stage front airbags, side airbags, 3-row/ full length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. The side curtain airbag system includes three satellite sensors and a main unit, and detects a crash within 5-7 milliseconds. It also includes a rollover sensor which deploys the airbags if there is a risk of vehicle overturning.

Another important feature is the LATCH system with 4 locations in securing child seats. This gives flexibility to both parents and children to choose their seats.

Available as standard, the active safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). The HSA maintain brake pressure momentarily longer and prevent roll-back as the driver moves from the brake to accelerator pedal during a hill start.

NEW ADVANCED FEATURES

Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System

Available on Touring grade, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System features an 8-inch, high-resolution QVGA color display and uses GPS technology to provide guidance to destinations. It comes with 60GB HDD memory system (includes 15GB allocated for user media) with voice guidance both in Arabic and English languages.

Honda DVD Rear Entertainment System

Available on Touring grade, DVD Rear Entertainment System with 9-inch display allows the video or audio to be played either on wireless headphones or front speakers for all occupants’ enjoyment. The screen flips down from the second row roof at one push button.

Audio System

The 2012 Honda Pilot Touring grade includes a premium audio system with 10 speakers and Bluetooth Audio Streaming (with selected phones only). The premium audio system includes 1 CD player and a 15GB audio hard disk drive memory. The EX grades audio system includes a new 2GB CD Library (CD-L) function with 1 CD player (it replaces the previous 6 CD changer). USB and AUX jacks are standard on both grades.

Bluetooth- Hands Free Telephone (HFT)

Available on Touring grade, this essential communication tool allows the driver to use his Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone while driving without taking his/her eyes off the road or hands off the steering wheel.

i-MID (Intelligent Multi-information Display)

The i-MID feature is available as standard on 2012 Honda Pilot. Through a conveniently located steering wheel control, the i-MID displays important information such as instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, range, Bluetooth HFT phonebook, caller ID, audio song/album/artist details, radio station frequency, outside temperature, etc. Another fun option is the personalized wallpaper display photo uploading. On the Touring grade, it also displays images from the wide mode rear view camera and HDD navigation system map.

Rear View Camera

Available on Touring grade, the wide-view rear camera captures real time parking situation and displays it on navigation system’s 8” TFT screen. The wide-view options of rear view camera allows to view for approaching vehicles from the side, normal view for bumper line and top view for best distance perception.

BODY & INTERIOR COLORS

·         Taffeta White with beige interior
·         Alabaster Silver Metallic with beige interior
·         Crystal Black Pearl with beige interior
·         Dark Amber Metallic with beige interior
·         Dark Cherry Pearl with beige interior