New Honda Pilot Teased Ahead of 2015 Chicago Auto Show

Just as the 2015 Detroit Motor Show winds to a close, automakers everywhere are looking ahead to the next major automotive event – the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. Today Honda confirmed that we will see a redesigned 2016 Honda Pilot at the show next month. Here’s the teaser that accompanied the confirmation:

To give you a hint about what this redesigned SUV may look like, we only have to look at the recently redesigned CR-V and the new Honda HR-V. We can expect the new Pilot to follow in those cars’ footsteps. With that in mind, you can almost fill in the teaser image above for yourself when you imagine a sleeker version of the current model year, shown further below.

We had a sneaking suspicion that Honda would bring the new Pilot to Chicago after their Executive VP, John Mendel, told us about their plans for 2015 in Detroit. “Shortly after [the HR-V], we’ll introduce an all-new Pilot SUV that will redefine what is possible with an eight-passenger midsize SUV.”

Unfortunately, even though we know the roots for the new Pilot’s design, specific details are nearly nonexistent. We know it’ll go on sale sometime this summer, and that the exterior look will be significantly less boxy than the current generation’s. Most sources also seem to agree that the new mid-size SUV will continue with the same powertrain that’s in the current model. That’s a 3.5L V6 with 250hp, paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

We also know a bit about the new SUV’s development and production. The 2016 Pilot was designed solely by Honda R&D America, and it’ll be manufactured out of Honda’s Lincoln, Alabama plant.

Other Honda Nameplates Coming to Chicago

Along with the 2016 Honda Pilot, we’ve also been told to expect a new Acura RDX, although we have yet to see an official preview of the premium compact crossover. However, just about everything is said to have been improved in the new model – performance, style, luxury and safety.

Along with the Pilot and RDX, we’re expecting to see a design preview for the new Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, which will compete with the new Toyota Tacoma  we saw in Detroit when it to goes on sale sometime this fall.

Finally, Mendel also told us to keep an eye out for a new four-cylinder turbo powertrain to make a debut in at least one of their models by the end of the year. Will we see it in Chicago? We’ll just have to wait and see!

Stay tuned for the new 2016 Honda Pilot and more when the Chicago Auto Show’s doors open on February 12.