Honda unveils a Ridgeline x UTV mash-up at SEMA called the Open Air Concept Vehicle

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Updated Nov 9, 2018
Honda Rugged Open Air Vehicle Concept for 2018 SEMA Show. Photo: HondaHonda Rugged Open Air Vehicle Concept for 2018 SEMA Show. Photo: Honda

While the Honda Ridgeline may not exactly evoke scenes of gravity-defying jumps and gag-inducing dirt plumes, the automaker’s off-road build revealed at this week’s SEMA show in Las Vegas certainly looks like it’s on its way to earning a dirty pedigree that would make any truck maker proud.

Created as an attempt to dream up what “the ultimate off-road Honda four-wheeled vehicle could look like,” rugged Open Air Vehicle concept is an impressive marriage between the Ridgeline pickup and Honda’s Pioneer 1000 side-by-side.

While the Rugged Open Air Vehicle is a concept, it nonetheless uses existing Honda components, such as modified Ridgeline body and suspension, along with production Pioneer doors and custom designed bed and tailgate panels modeled after the Pioneer.

Photo: Wayne GraysonPhoto: Wayne Grayson

A 3.5-liter V6 is under the hood, married to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It boasts iVTM4 four-wheel drive and Intelligent Traction Management.

The Ridgeline chassis has been lifted 2 inches higher and the truck rides on 33-inch tires.

The Ridgeline-based interior has been modified to take on the outdoors and features a Pioneer 1000 steering wheel adapted to the Ridgeline steering column, along with Civic Type R seats reskinned in waterproof Pioneer 1000 material, smartphone holders from RAM Mounts, and durable paint-on surfaces to protect the exposed instrument panel from the elements.

Honda is certainly no stranger to off-roading. In June, Team Honda Racing Ridgeline won the Baja 500 for the second time in the last three years.

Truck Bed of Open Air Vehicle

Photo: Wayne GraysonPhoto: Wayne Grayson