2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Rumors and Facts

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R is an ultimate truck with high-performance equipment. We still don’t have precise info about the upcoming model, since the Japanese company is still not willing to confirm its arrival. On the other hand, rumors about the Type R truck are online for quite long. Also, Honda is not creating too many performance vehicles, but the most recent moves suggest the lineup will grow soon, and it will include Type S vehicles for the Acura squad. We will analyze the possibilities for the pickup truck.

Honda is currently offering only Civic with a Type R package. In the last 30 years, there were only three more vehicles with this badge. On the other hand, the new Acura TLX is getting Type S and the same upgrade could come for the MDX mid-size SUV. With speculations about the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R being louder, we can expect a couple of more models in production pretty soon.

Ridgeline is a specific truck. It is not like other vehicles in the US market built on the BoF platform. Instead, Honda uses unibody architecture. Well, this is a downside and a reason for slower sales compared to the competition. Truckers are looking for durable machines that can tow a lot. Ridgeline, with the sporty ride and only 5,000 pounds of towing can’t compete against much more capable rivals. The Type R is not going to change this. It will take the performance to the next level and draw more attention.

2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R

2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Specs

There are a few possibilities for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R engine room. The company is using a V6 engine as the largest powerplant. A 3.5-liter displacement is not powerful enough to get on the line with some high-performance versions of Toyota and Ford models. Honda will have to enhance the outputs to provide enough energy and draw attention to the Type R truck. A kind of turbocharged system can add enough power to bring the game to a new level.

Currently, the engine is capable to produce 280 horsepower. The Honda is boosting the Civic to 305 horsepower from a 2.0-liter engine. Acura TLX is getting a special tuning. A 3.0-liter V6 is good for 355 horsepower, which should be enough for the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R. It also adds 355 lb-ft of torque. Let’s get this straight – the engine is not going to make some big changes regarding the towing capabilities. Ridgeline will still remain the sporty truck with excellent handling and maneuvering skills. But, if you need to tow a lot, then Chevy Colorado or Toyota Tacoma will do it better.

While most buyers are looking for the lifted versions, so their rides can go off-road, Ridgeline Type R will be focused on the asphalt. The package can even lower the gap between the body and ground to enhance aerodynamic, making the pickup faster. The base version needs 7.2 seconds for 0-60 mph acceleration. The performance-oriented version will make it closer to 6 seconds, if not under. Well, we will have to wait for the official update to get precise details about the new vehicle.

2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R price
Honda Ridgeline is using a 3.5-liter V6 engine and tows up to 5,000 pounds

Styling, Interior

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R is not upgrading just the performance, but also the body and interior. The truck is going to be more aggressive and eye-catching. We can compare it only with the Civic hatchback, but the pickup will bring a lot of new things. Unique headlights, bumpers, skid plates. Still, we can’t guess what kind of tailgate and bed features will be there to boost the main function – towing. The new model will surely be able to haul at least 5,000 pounds.

Inside the cabin, leather and advanced multimedia system are taking the offer to the next level. Sporty pedals and steering wheel, five seating spots, possible heating and ventilated seats at higher trims, will be there. Of course, the Type R badge will remind occupants they are inside the special model.

2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R interior

2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Release Date, Price, Competition

One of the key reasons why the Japanese company might bring the 2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R to the market is the slow sale of the base model. Like this one, the performance edition is not going to have any competition on its way, since it is built on the unibody architecture. Well, we can say that SUVs are a bigger threat to Honda’s pickup thanks to this platform. Anyway, all other unibody trucks are discontinued in the US and Ridgeline is one of its kind.

We couldn’t spot any test mules and prototypes of the pickup, so the release date is still questionable. Even if Honda started the development, the COVID-19 pandemic probably affected the progress. Now, the focus is on flagship models, since the automotive industry is going to suffer. Ridgeline is also one of the pricey options, but it doesn’t come with a four-cylinder engine to drop the price. The Type R package will add at least $10k, making the base price settle somewhere between $45,000 and $50,000.

1 thought on “2021 Honda Ridgeline Type R Rumors and Facts”

  1. Bring and we will buy it just looking for a better gas pedal and a better brake pedal and the base model does not have it. So again bring it and it is sold. i will be the first in line to buy it.

    Reply

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