Automotive

Honda paddle-shifts over dirt with 2016 Pioneer 1000 UTV

Honda paddle-shifts over dirt with 2016 Pioneer 1000 UTV
Honda's new Pioneer 1000 and 1000-5 models offer a larger engine, six-speed automatic DCT and available paddle shifting
Honda's new Pioneer 1000 and 1000-5 models offer a larger engine, six-speed automatic DCT and available paddle shifting
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The Honda Pioneer 1000 EPS is a three-seat UTV with power steering and paddle shifting
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The Honda Pioneer 1000 EPS is a three-seat UTV with power steering and paddle shifting
The 2016 Honda Pioneer 1000 EPS includes color-matched side panels
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The 2016 Honda Pioneer 1000 EPS includes color-matched side panels
The 2016 Honda Pioneer 1000 is the three-seat base trim
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The 2016 Honda Pioneer 1000 is the three-seat base trim
Honda Pioneer 1000 in Olive
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Honda Pioneer 1000 in Olive
Honda's 2016 Pioneer family
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Honda's 2016 Pioneer family
The Honda Pioneer 1000 series is built to work and play on dirt, mud and rock
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The Honda Pioneer 1000 series is built to work and play on dirt, mud and rock
A look at the Honda Pioneer 1000-5 chassis
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A look at the Honda Pioneer 1000-5 chassis
The Honda 1000-5 models include a three-seat bench and two flip-up rear seats
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The Honda 1000-5 models include a three-seat bench and two flip-up rear seats
Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
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Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
The Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe has LED headlights and 14-in aluminum wheels
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The Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe has LED headlights and 14-in aluminum wheels
Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
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Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
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Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
Inside the Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
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Inside the Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
The Pioneer 1000 series has independent double-wishbone suspension, front and rear
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The Pioneer 1000 series has independent double-wishbone suspension, front and rear
The Pioneer 1000-5 includes a self-leveling rear suspension
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The Pioneer 1000-5 includes a self-leveling rear suspension
Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe chassis
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Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe chassis
Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
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Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe
Honda's new Pioneer 1000 and 1000-5 models offer a larger engine, six-speed automatic DCT and available paddle shifting
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Honda's new Pioneer 1000 and 1000-5 models offer a larger engine, six-speed automatic DCT and available paddle shifting
The new Pioneer 1000 series features a 999cc inline twin engine
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The new Pioneer 1000 series features a 999cc inline twin engine
LED headlights are a part of the 1000-5 Deluxe package
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LED headlights are a part of the 1000-5 Deluxe package
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Last year, Honda earned some press for adding paddle shifters to its Pioneer 500 UTV. Now, it's launching a larger, more powerful side-by-side with the feature – the all-new 2016 Pioneer 1000. Honda says its new UTV flagship is the first side-by-side in the industry with a six-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission and the class leader in engine size. Work or play, this UTV is hungry for dirt and mud.

The new 1000 becomes the flagship of the Pioneer lineup. It's powered by an all-new 999cc twin-cylinder engine that uses the Unicam cylinder head design Honda perfected in its motorcross bike line. The six-speed automatic dual-clutch offers the option of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, giving off-roading a touch of the feel of shifting an exotic sports car. In addition to that manual shifting mode, the UTV offers standard and sport modes, the latter of which tweaks shifts for more aggressive off-roading. The selectable 2 and 4WD, high/low sub transmission, and front and rear differential locks help in the distribution of torque and power.

"We've added the industry's only fully automatic mechanical transmission – the six-speed dual clutch transmission," says Lee Edmunds, American Honda motorcycle marketing communications manager. "With steel gears, the DCT offers true engine braking, seamless shifting and a smooth, reliable transfer of power."

The Honda Pioneer 1000 series is built to work and play on dirt, mud and rock
The Honda Pioneer 1000 series is built to work and play on dirt, mud and rock

The 1000's engine is cooled by way of an air intake mounted high and under the hood. That positioning allows for deeper fording and gives the UTV a throaty growl.

The Pioneer 1000 makes tracks with a set of 27-in tires beaded to 12-in steel wheels. With help from 10.5-in front and 10-in rear independent double-wishbone suspension, the side-by-side sits a foot (30.5 cm) over top the ground, offering plenty of air between chassis and rocks, roots and other trail hazards. It has 1,000-lb (454-kg) payload and 2,000-lb (907-kg) towing capacities.

Honda will sell two different Pioneer 1000 sizes, each in two trim levels, starting in the Northern Hemisphere fall of 2015. The base 1000 has room for three people, and the 1000 EPS adds namesake electronic power steering, paddle shifting, three-mode powertrain, tilt steering wheel and color-matched side panels. The 1000-5 seats five people by way of the three-seat front bench and two QuickFlip rear seats, which fold flat when not in use. It includes the paddle shifters standard. The 1000-5 Deluxe adds 14-in aluminum wheels, radial tires, LED headlights, and color-matched body panels.

Honda has not yet announced pricing.

Source: Honda

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2 comments
2 comments
VadimR
Can anyone give me a legitimate reason why these (and other 4x4s) are not street legal? Why can't I commute to work on a light vehicle like this instead of the 2 ton (and up) tanks that we call cars?
guzmanchinky
Honda finally gets into the game Yamaha started back in 2004 with the Rhino. Not sure how this 6 speed tranny is better than the CVT transmissions that have been working well in the other machines for quite some time, it still would need a clutch as a wear element, and shifting seems like it would be jerkier than with a CVT, but I'm sure there's a good reason for it. I have a Rhino, and it's still the best at getting through tight spaces, not sure how much wider or longer this new machine is. I look forward to seeing it out on the trails!