Honda Dubs Pickup Ridgeline

American Honda Motor Co. Inc. names its new 4-door, 4-wheel-drive unibody-based pickup truck Ridgeline.

The vehicle, which had gone by the unspecific moniker SUT (for sport/utility truck), is set to go on sale next spring as an ’06 model.

Honda made the name announcement today at the Specialty Equipment Market Assn. show in Las Vegas. An updated concept Ridgeline is on display there with a new paint scheme, revised suspension and new wheel and tire package.

The production Ridgeline will debut at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

Honda Ridgeline concept at SEMA.

Honda says the vehicle will boast the industry’s first fully integrated, closed-box frame with unibody construction, promising “significantly stronger body rigidity vs. traditional body-on-frame trucks.”

The 5-passenger Ridgeline has a 5-ft. (1.5-m) bed that can accommodate two Honda CRF450 large off-road motorcycles, the auto maker says.

The pickup will have Honda’s 3.5L V-6 engine mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. A fully automatic 4-wheel-drive system is featured, as are standard 4-wheel antilock brakes, side curtain airbags and Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist.