2014 Honda Pioneer

Honda has unveiled its new American-designed and manufactured Pioneer side-by-side vehicle, which has a liquid-cooled engine, double wishbone front-suspension and automatic transmission.

The Pioneer, which will replace Big Red in Honda’s side-by-side line-up, will be available in four-seat and two-seat configurations and make its way Down Under in early 2014. Price is yet to be concerned.

The four-seat variant boasts an adaptable design which allows the two rear seats to fold into the bed. With the ability to be used as a two-seat, three-seat or four-seat Side-by-Side, the rear seats can be quickly and easily folded away so the complete bed space with hydraulically-assisted tilt function can be fully utilised.

At the heart of the new vehicle is a 675cc, fluke-injected liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder, and the automotive-style automatic transmission has a heavy-duty torque converter and three hydraulic clutches.

Suspension travel is 200mm at the front and 230mm at the rear. The fully independent rear suspension has preload-adjustable shocks. The machine is equipped to carry 454kg or tow 680kg.

The Pioneer’s ‘Occupant Protection Structure’ has been built out of sturdy, large diameter tubing and includes details such as integrated handholds, recessed top tubes and a more spacious structure to enhance protection.

The Pioneer 700-2 two-seater boasts all of the same features as the 700-4, but instead of the fold-down in-bed seating it features a conventional hydraulically-assisted tilt bed.

Meanwhile, with Big Red being phased out, it’s now available at a sharp price of $17,198 until June 30, 2013 -- a saving of over $3000.

For more information contact your local Honda dealer.