NAIAS Blog: 2009 Honda Pilot Prototype and Future Hybrids

Following Honda's lead, I'll preface the Pilot debut with a few other images from the environmentally-friendly crystal ball. Next year, Honda will release a small hybrid car to compete with the likes of a next-generation Toyota Prius and the 201? Chevy Volt. A sales figure of 200,000 units is expected for the car's first year, with half of those coming from North American markets. In addition, Honda has confirmed that a production version of Tokyo's CR-Z concept will make Honda the first brand to market a small hybrid sports car some time in late 2009. Diesel will come here next year, but in an Acura first. Now, as they say, on with the show.

We had seen only a fuzzy sketch of the Honda Pilot Prototype before the curtain dropped just moments ago. The real life concept (which like last year's Accord will go into production basically unchanged later this year) is a good looking crossover, and could be described as a better looking Jeep Liberty with a Honda front grafted on. Unlike the Liberty it makes impressive use of what interior space is available, as the Pilot will continue to offer third row seating in the back of looks to become a very attractive cabin. Honda safety and fuel-saving cylinder deactivation will come standard, as will a V-6 engine. John Mendell, executive vice president of American Honda, was proud to announce that 80 percent of the Hondas sold here in the U.S. are also built here. The Pilot will add to those statistics when it rolls out of Honda's Alabama plant later this year. WIll it continue to be a success in the ever-expanding crossover market? Time will tell, but the group of GM engineers huddled around me at the press conference weren't sweating one bit, and that's got to say something. Photos from the reveal after the jump.