 |
Automobile October 17 , 2003 |
|
| Honda Announces a Full Model Change for the Odyssey |
Tokyo, October 17, 2003 --- Honda
Motor Co., Ltd. has unveiled the new Odyssey for the Japanese
market, offering outstanding new value in a minivan. A 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine and
newly developed CVT + 7-speed mode1 transmission provide superior driving performance,
while the new low-floor platform ensures a roofline of just 1,550 mm, low enough to fit into
standard multi-level parking facilities. The intelligently designed, spacious interior
comfortably accommodates seven people in three rows of seats. The new Odyssey goes on
sale October 24th at Honda automobile dealers throughout Japan.
This third-generation Odyssey is a new benchmark in minivan innovation, with its fusion of
speed (lower center of gravity for improved ride and handling), elegance (elegant form thanks
to its low overall height), and roominess (more headroom than the previous model thanks to
the low-floor platform).
The top-of-the-line Odyssey Absolute represents a new level of elegant design and dynamic
performance. Its 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine boasts a maximum output of 147 kW
(200PS) and is matched with a 5-speed automatic transmission, Drive By Wire (DBW), and a
specially tuned suspension and braking system. There is ample torque at all rpm ranges, and
performance is powerful and sporty. The innovative, stylish exterior features custom
aerodynamics and a low-slung profile, while the interior is finished in elegant black.
 |
 |
 |
| Odyssey L Type (FF) |
|
Odyssey Absolute
(FF, optional equipment) |
| • Styling: |
A low, wide stance for a contemporary, intelligent appearance. |
| • Packaging: |
The low-floor platform ensures a low roofline for access to standard
multi-level parking facilities and a spacious interior that comfortably
seats seven people in three rows. |
| • Driving performance: |
The 2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine delivers ample torque and outstanding
environmental performance, and is offered with either a newly developed
CVT + 7-speed mode transmission or a 5-speed automatic transmission,
depending on model type. |
| • Advanced functions: |
The new Odyssey is equipped with an Intelligent Highway Cruise Control
(IHCC)2 vehicle speed and inter-vehicle distance control system to
reduce the burden on the driver during highway driving. It also features
the voice-operated Honda HDD Navigation System + Progressive Commander3,
with rear camera, for significant improvements in functionality and
operability. |
| • Safety performance: |
The new Odyssey is equipped with the Collision Mitigation Brake
System (CMS), and E-pretensioners (driver and front passenger seatbelts4).
In addition, the Odyssey's new crash-compatibility body combines increased
self-protection with reduced aggressivity toward other vehicles. |
| • Environmental performance: |
All types have been certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport as either Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles5
or Excellent Low Emissions Vehicles6 and have met emissions regulations
for 2005, with some types already achieving a 75% reduction7 with
respect to those levels. All types comply with 2010 government regulations
for fuel economy. |
| 1 |
Available on S, M, and L type FF vehicles |
| 2, 4 |
Factory option on the Absolute |
| 3 |
Factory option on the M, L and Absolute |
| 5, 7 |
S, M, L types |
| 6 |
Absolute |
 Monthly domestic sales target: 5,000 units
 |
Body colors |
| |
Premium White Pearl*;
Satin Silver Metallic; Nighthawk Black Pearl; Grayish Mauve Metallic
(custom color for M, L types); Indigo Blue Pearl (M, L); Desert Mist
Metallic (M, L); Meteor Silver Metallic (M, L); Royal Ruby Red Pearl
(M, L); Black Amethyst Pearl (custom color for Absolute); Milano Red
(Absolute)
|
 |
Key Features
|
| ‹Packaging
and utility› |
| • |
The new Odyssey's new
low-floor design results in a roofline 80 mm lower1 than the previous
model, allowing access to standard multi-level parking facilities.
It also offers 5 mm more headroom than the previous model for far
greater roominess than the vehicle's external appearance would suggest. |
| • |
Under-floor storage for
the 3rd-row seats and a variety of seating arrangements provide a
voluminous luggage space of up to 1,052 liters2. A handy 100 V AC
outlet3 is also provided. |
| • |
The 2nd-row seats are
equipped with a double folding mechanism that allows them to be stored
flat. |
| • |
The 3rd-row seats feature
a power under-floor storage mechanism4, allowing them to be easily
stowed away at the press of a switch. |
| • |
The power tailgate5 can
be opened and closed using the keyless entry remote control, a switch
on the dashboard, or the switch on the inside of the tailgate (closing
only).
|
| 1 |
Compared to previous FF model |
| 2 |
According to Honda measurements using VDA formula |
| 3 |
Available only on vehicles equipped with power utility
package |
| 4 |
Standard equipment on L Type, factory option on
M Type and Absolute |
| 5 |
Factory option on M and L types |
‹Design›
Exterior design
| • |
Designed around the motif of a black panther, with its low-profile
form speeding swiftly and smartly over a grassy plain, the Odyssey
presents fresh new styling and a distinctive presence. |
| • |
Centered on a floating grill, the slim-profile headlights and front
bumper are integrated and positioned low. The front fenders are flared
wide to emphasize the feeling of breadth and strength. |
| • |
The side view features an elegant, unified silhouette that connects
smoothly from the low, short front nose to the roof end. |
| • |
The rear view design is dynamic and has a solid feel. |
Interior design
| • |
The high-quality interior combines a functional, fashionable cockpit
with an elegant, relaxing passenger space. Controls are concentrated
in the center panel, with the dashboard spreading out to either side
and blending with the doors for a unified look all the way to the
rear. |
| • |
Blue LED lights* illuminate the foot areas of the 1st- and 2nd-row
seats and the cup holders for the 3rd-row seats when the small lamps
are turned on. |
| • |
The shift lever is positioned as close as possible to the steering
wheel. This significantly reduces the distance the driver's hand must
travel to operate it, resulting in more ergonomic shifting. The advanced
design features a gun-grip shift knob and a ball-shaped metallic slider. |
* Standard equipment
on the L type
‹Driving performance›
Interior design
| • |
The DOHC i-VTEC engine combines Honda's Variable Valve Timing and
Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) with Variable Valve Timing Control
(VTC), which optimizes intake valve timing in response to engine load.
Two engines are available depending on the model type, both of which
achieve a combination of high torque, high fuel economy, and low emissions.
2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine: 118 kW (160ps) / 218 Nm (22.2 kg-m)1
2.4-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine: 147 kW (200ps) / 232 Nm (23.7 kg-m)2 |
| • |
All types have high levels of environmental performance, and are
certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
as either Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles or Excellent Low Emissions
Vehicles.
|
| 1 |
Net values (S, M, L types) |
| 2 |
Net values (FF Absolute) |
Transmission
| • |
Newly developed Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) + 7-speed
mode transmission1 The torque converter's
powerful off-the-line performance and the smooth acceleration unique
to the CVT combine to deliver robust responsiveness at all speeds.
Transmission lockup at nearly all speeds except startup contributes
to higher fuel economy. In the D position, driving conditions are
determined according to gas pedal and brake operation, vehicle speed,
and other parameters, and the appropriate gear ratio is selected.
During cornering, the vehicle's lateral G-force is calculated to determine
whether it is being driven in a sporty way, and cornering G-shift
control maintains engine revs at a higher level when the driver eases
off on the gas pedal. Also available is the Econ mode feature, which
saves fuel by reducing engine rpms at idle. |
| • |
5-speed automatic transmission + S-Matic2
Delivers powerful acceleration and linear shift response, while contributing
to improved fuel economy. The expanded range of lockup during deceleration
also helps save fuel. |
| 1 |
Available on FF S, M, and L types |
| 2 |
Available on 4WD S, M, and L types, and the Absolute |
Newly developed real-time 4WD
| • |
The newly developed real-time 4WD combines a dual-pump-system clutch
mechanism with a one-way cam unit and pilot clutch. This transmits
drive force without any feeling of time lag and enhances stability
during startup and cornering on snow-covered roads and other slippery
surfaces. |
‹Chassis›
| • |
In the front, a double-wishbone suspension ensures straight-line
stability and outstanding ride comfort. |
| • |
In the rear, the compact design of the rear reactive-link double-wishbone
suspension contributes to the Odyssey's low-floor, flat form. |
| • |
In addition to enhancing bending and twisting rigidity, extensive
efforts were made to improve dynamic rigidity, for improved handling
responsiveness and a more comfortable ride. High-tensile steel is
also used in all major body frame components, for a 16kg weight saving
compared to use of conventional materials. |
| • |
A more compact powertrain and Variable-steering Gear Ratio (VGR)
give the new Odyssey a minimum turning radius of just 5.4m---top in
its class*. |
* Over-2000cc minivan class
‹Safety performance›
| • |
AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System)1 works in coordination with
steering wheel angle to change the direction of the headlight unit
and illuminate the vehicle's path when negotiating curves or turning. |
| • |
Four-wheel VSA (ABS + TCS + sideslip control)2 combines with Drive
By Wire (DBW)3 for engine torque control to ensure precise control
over vehicle stability. |
| • |
Brake assist is standard on all types, with the Absolute featuring
an electronic brake assist system. A learning function automatically
adjusts the assist operation point to conform to the driver's braking
habits. |
| • |
The Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS)4 uses millimeter-wave
radar to gauge distance to the vehicle ahead, providing the driver
with audio and tactile warning of a possible collision, while also
applying light braking pressure. If the system determines that a collision
is imminent, it applies strong braking pressure to enhance the effect
of the driver's own braking, thus mitigating damage in the event of
a collision. |
| • |
E-pretensioners (driver and front passenger seat)5 work in concert
with the CMS, pulling lightly on the seatbelt if there is a danger
of a collision and more forcefully if it is determined that a collision
is imminent, for increased restraining effect. |
| • |
Honda's original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated
to create a body with a crash safety design that is among the best
in the world. It can withstand a 55 km/h full-frontal collision, a
64 km/h front offset collision, a 55 km/h side collision, and a 50
km/h rear collision. Furthermore, in addition to a high level of self-protection,
the vehicle's crash compatibility body reduces aggressivity toward
other vehicles. |
| • |
Equipped with a side curtain airbag system6 for the 1st to 3rd row
seats that helps reduce head injuries in the event of a side collision. |
| • |
Front-row seats are fitted with 3-point, load limiter-equipped,
pretensioner ELR seatbelts. The driver's side belt is equipped with
a lap pretensioner on the outer end of the lap belt, in addition to
the shoulder belt pretensioner, for improved occupant retention in
both the pelvic and thoracic regions. |
| 1 |
Factory option on the M, L, and Absolute types |
| 2, 3 |
Standard equipment on the Absolute |
| 4 |
Available as a set with E-pretensioners and IHCC
as a factory option on the Absolute |
| 5 |
Available as a set with CMS (Collision Mitigation
Brake System) and IHCC as a factory option on the Absolute |
| 6 |
Standard equipment on the L Type. Available in a
set as a factory option on the S, M, and Absolute types |
‹Environmental Performance›
| • |
Use of a rear-port exhaust system, high-density catalytic
converter, and other innovations result in Japanese Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport certification as an Ultra Low Emissions
Vehicle for the S, M, and L types, and as an Excellent Low Emissions
Vehicle for the Absolute. All types clear emissions regulations for
2005, with the S, M, and L types achieving a 75% reduction with respect
to those levels. |
| • |
Compliance with 2010 government regulations for fuel economy for
all types has been achieved through weight reduction and aerodynamic
improvements. The S, M, and L types are all eligible for tax incentives
under the Japanese government's Green Tax program. |
| • |
Honda has worked to eliminate PVC (polyvinyl chloride) from interior
and exterior plastic components wherever possible. Meanwhile, the
use of highly recyclable plastics has resulted in over 90%* recyclability. |
| • |
Use of lead has also been reduced to less than 1/10 that of 1996
levels. |
* According to Honda's
own measurement standards
Odyssey ALMAS
The M Type is also being made available as an Odyssey ALMAS with a lift-up front
passenger seat. The new Odyssey ALMAS will be available starting December 5th at Honda
automobile dealers throughout Japan.
The Odyssey ALMAS allows the electrically operated passenger seat to be rotated and raised or
lowered with the press of a switch, for superior ease of vehicle ingress and egress and reduced
burden on caregivers. A wheelchair net and protective cover are also provided as standard
equipment, allowing a wheelchair to be folded and stored neatly away in the luggage space without
the need to fold down the 3rd-row seats. All outfitting is handled by Honda Tokuso Co., Ltd.
|
|
Odyssey ALMAS (FF, optional equipment)
|
‹ALMAS›
The ALMAS derives its name from "alma", the Spanish word for soul , signifying that Honda has poured
its heart into this vehicle.
|
|
|
Printer Friendly