The pluot, the liger, the alien-human from Species — it’s tough to break into the pantheon of hybrids with miracles like those topping the list.
Nonetheless, we’d like to nominate Honda’s Rugged Open Air Vehicle, an off-road concept that mates the automaker’s Ridgeline pickup and Pioneer 1000 for maximum gravel spitting and trail demolition.
As the company writes in a press release, the four-seat adventure machine features “modified Ridgeline body and suspension, along with production Pioneer doors and custom designed bed and tailgate panels modeled after the Pioneer.” Even a pinch of lil’, speedy aka the Civic Type R, was added into the mix, with its 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.”
While Honda hails from Japan, this particular build is appropriately American-made. It was designed and developed by Honda R&D Americas out of California, and exhibited at this year’s SEMA trade show.
Unfortunately, the stateside birthplace doesn’t make it any easier to own. While the photos are real, Honda admits the Rugged Open Air Vehicle is “a physical thought exercise” and not slated for production.
Dare to dream, Honda. Dare to dream.
Photos via Honda
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