Going in the opposite direction of the ALl Terrain Concept Ridgeline, the Street Sport Concept Ridgeline shown at the 2005 SEMA show in Las Vegas ventures into the sport truck realm. Tweaked front and rear bumpers give the Honda Ridgeline a more aggressive appearance, as do the dark Asphalt Shock metallic paint and widened fenders. A prototype high-flow exhaust with side outlets has been bolted on, but the focus here is on audible and visual enhancement, not power. Large Brembo brakes are bolted onto all four corners, and 22-inch black and silver alloys roll on massive 305/40 BF Goodrich T/A tires. Inside the Street Sport Concept Ridgeline are Recaro seats for four passengers, black leather with suede and aluminum trim, and LED accent lights.

It’s unlikely that this model will ever see the light of day from a production standpoint, though bits and pieces look promising. But if nothing else, Honda’s Ridgeline experimentation shows that the company is definitely in tune with what the light truck buyer wants.

By Thom Blackett