Detroit show: Honda Pilot

HONDA introduced its second-generation Pilot medium-sized SUV at the Detroit auto show this week, a North American-oriented vehicle that has become bigger, more powerful and, according to the Japanese car-maker, safer.

On sale in the coming months, the main attractions of the redesigned eight-seat Pilot include a V6 petrol engine with cylinder deactivation technology, (monocoque) construction according to Honda’s advanced compatibility engineering safety system, and completely overhauled interior packaging.

The new Pilot will be built only in left-hand drive at Honda's Alabama plant. Honda Australia says there is no replacement on the horizon for its seven-seat MDX luxury SUV, which was loosely based on the previous Pilot and discontinued here 12 months ago.