2017 Honda Ridgeline Teaser may reveal separate truck bed assembly

Looking to the teaser image, a couple of question arise as to Ridgeline platform engineering. Ridgeline's integrated cargo bed may be a thing of the past.

Good news for Honda off-road enthusiasts

The all new 2017 Honda Ridgeline Pickup makes its auto world debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. That’s cool, but what does the teaser image show us. Has Honda ventured away from a closed-box unibody frame for 2017 Ridgeline Pickup?

As reported by Torque News earlier in December, 2017 Honda Ridgeline Pickup will make its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 11, 2016. That's exciting news for Ridgeline loyals awaiting the most powerful, lightest, and fuel efficient Ridgeline offered to date.

I assumed earlier in the year that the all new Ridgeline would be based on this vehicle.

Yet another Teaser image

Note, Honda isn’t showing us the front view of Ridgeline in this teaser image. But I do believe that Honda engineering and design does a commendable job of bringing the rather unique design of the outgoing Ridgeline mainstream. Gone is the sloped side rail. What else has been changed for Ridgeline in 2017?

For better or for worse, Honda's main competition in this segment comes from the “Big 3.” Last generation Ridgeline body styling went out with the now defunct Cadillac Escalade, And, unibody construction when applied to a light truck platform has flex and twist limitations, when hauling loads or running off road. Light truck buyer’s apparently want more conventional pickup truck looks from Honda. It looks like Honda just delivered it.
Am I one of the few people that appreciates last generation Ridgeline rear quarter section sloped bed rail design?

looking to Honda’s teaser image: I do like the clean integration of the rear bumper to fender flair and bed-side detail. Also, the taillight assembly looks well integrated, as does the branding, tailgate design and black-out flat-spoke alloy wheels.

Looking to the Teaser Image: Has Honda ventured away from the unibody platform for 2017 Ridgeline? looking closely to the photo, there appears to be a break in the body panel between the extended cab and truck bed. That’s an interesting clue as to what the reinvented Ridgeline brings to the segment.