Honda Holds Grand Middle East Launch for New Pilot

Honda Motor Co. Africa and the Middle East Office held a grand launch event for the first appearance of the new Pilot in the Middle East. The event to announce the arrival of the 2016 Pilot was held the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City. The new vehicle will be shortly available at all Honda outlets across the Middle East including Jordan and Lebanon. The new Pilot is the last world in comfort and quality when it comes to SUV models and can comfortably accommodate eight passengers, with plenty of space for their luggage as well. The sleek exterior is matched by luxurious interiors, a high level of fuel efficiency, and Intelligent Traction Management for tackling off road journeys that are an inevitable part of life in the Middle East.

The exterior has been thoroughly revamped when compared to the 2015 model with a more fluid look that is seen in sports coupes and a bold, new front grille. Other notable premium features include Halogen projector headlights in the EX and EXL grades while the Touring grade comes with LED projector headlights and the first ever panoramic glass roof. Entry and exit is facilitated with a wide, low stance that also contributes to better aerodynamic performance, and the large-diameter 18-inch or 20-inch Alloy wheels provide the finishing touch. Standard features for all grades include Front Fog Lights, LED Tail Lights and LED daytime running lights, Tailgate Spoiler, Power Door Mirrors and LED Turn Light Indicators.

The interiors are luxurious to match the stylish exterior with a refined new cockpit design, sumptuous beige and black leather seats in colors matching the exterior colors, and upscale cabin amenities. An 8-inch touchscreen Display Audio provides instant access to audio system controls and other display features. Long trips will cause less fatigue with the cruise control. For the first time, the Touring grade comes with second row captain’s chairs for a higher level of passenger comfort and easy access between the second and third rows. Both the EX-L and Touring grade models have one-touch option for the second row seats to slide and give easy access to the third row of seats.

Other features motorists here would love include tri-zone automatic climate control, rear air conditioning duct in the second and third row seats, rear door sunshades for maximum which protection from the glare of the sun, sun glass holder and conversation mirror, options of folding away the second and third row seats for accommodating luggage, active noise control (ANC) for a quieter cabin, and a rear entertainment system with a 9 inch display screen available in the Touring grade.

The Pilot does not compromise when it comes to power and performance. It is fitted with a 3.5-liter Direct Injected V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that starts easily with the press of a button, and has a maximum output of 280 hp at 6000 rpm and maximum torque of 355Nm at 4700 rpm. On the fuel efficiency front, the model for the GCC offers 11.4Km/L for the 2WD and the 10.8 Km/L for the AWD. At the same time, the engine is quick to accelerate and is notable for its ultra-smooth power delivery.

The sand mode, INTELLIGENT TRACTION MANAGEMENT (which comes in all models except EX 2WD), pushbutton mode selection and TFT mode display on the cockpit instrument panel and 200mm of ground clearance in the EX (AWD) & EXL grades are all features which make the new Pilot ideal for desert and off-road drives.

Coming to safety features and driver assist technologies, the EXL and Touring grades of the model have ‘Remote Engine Start’ that allows motorists to start the car from a distance so that the cabin temperature is just right by the time you reach the car. Electric Power Steering, One Push Start System, Cruise Control on steering wheel, a Multi- Angle Rear View Camera are additional innovations that will add to the driving comfort.

The new Honda Pilot has made good use of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure technology to provide maximum levels of protection and crash compatibility. Active-safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with Traction Control Systems (TCS), Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS), Electronic Brake Distributor (EBD), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Agile Handle Assist (AHA) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Alll these safety features helped the new Pilot get a 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States, thus making the model one of the safest in its segment.

In the Middle East, the All New Honda Pilot will be available in four grades with the grade EX in 2WD being the base model and the EX, EX-L and Touring models which are in AWD. External colors include a wide range of eight shades like White Diamond Pearl, Lunar Silver Metallic, Black Forest Pearl and Obsidian Blue.

All come in beige interior colors with the option of White Diamond Pearl and Lunar Silver Metallic in black interior as well.