Quote:
Originally Posted by bigtime
So let me get this straight there going to sell us a smaller pickup that gets 1 mpg better fuel economy than a fullsize silverado for probably the same amount of money? Makes sense to me!
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First, Honda only made the Ridgeline because they could do it cheaply using an existing engine, existing transmission, and existing transverse-engine platform. Honda also never built a truck before. I'm certain any automaker could make a much more powerful, capable,
and efficient unibody pickup if they put more effort into it.
Second, the Ridgeline's equipment level is on par with a Silverado crew cab LT2, which costs $7,000 more. So "probably the same amount of money" is not true.
But most importantly of all, I think a Lambda 1 pickup doesn't make sense. The Ridgeline is 4500 pounds with AWD standard and a 5000 pound tow rating. The Lambdas are shorter, and in AWD form they weigh 4750 pounds or more with a 4500 pound tow rating. By the time GM stiffens the frame, lengthens the back for a bed, stiffens the suspension, and strengthens the transmission a Lambda pickup would weigh as much as a Silverado.
I think unibody or body-on-frame matters less than switching over to much lighter materials.