2015 Chicago Auto Show has already started where a lot of vehicles will have their premiere. We start the day with the announcement that Honda has revealed at the saloon yesterday the first image (sketch) of the future next-gen Ridgeline. The new truck is said to retain the award-winning performance, comfort and utility of the original model, and in fact to bring it to new levels. These new levels will feature entirely new styling that communicates unmistakably that it's a pickup. At the same time they will still express that this is a Honda.

The next Ridgeline is expected to get into production in a year. So this means that we won't see a detailed sketch soon. Nevertheless, the rear-three-quarter image that we were given displays some interesting features.

Let's start with the back of the truck, which, as it is completely visible, has been redesigned. Now, it appears like an "ordinary" pickup that has a separately attached bed. The latter feature is something we haven't seen in the previous generation of the model.

The sketch also shows that the chassis has been refined and is now more rigid. If you take a closer look you'll definitely think that the truck looks longer than its predecessor. The tailgate will probably add a split rear-gate feature, which will drop or swing open like a set of doors.

The teaser also displays that the new Ridgeline has curvier lines compared to the previous generation truck. All in all, the 2016 Honda Ridgeline appears to be almost in a production form.

There is no information on the powerplant or any output details. However, there are rumors that the new gen Ridgeline will be equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 unit, producing around or more than 250 horsepower.

Source: Honda