December 2^nd, 1999                                        

Honda launches all-new Odyssey

In Tokyo today, Honda Motor Co. Ltd launched its second-generation people mover, the Honda Odyssey.

The 2000 Odyssey will go on sale at all Honda dealers in Japan from December 3, with a V6 engine option available on January 21, 2000.

While matching the high-performance of a luxury sedan, the all-new Odyssey offers even more comfort and value than the original.

Notable revisions of the interior include underfloor spare tyre storage as well as an exclusive third-row of seats that folds as a unit into the rear floor without requiring removal of the headrests. These design modifications open up more cabin volume for passenger comfort and cargo storage.

While retaining the identity of the original Odyssey, the new exterior styling is based on a low centre of gravity and wide stance, creating a distinctive presence in an aerodynamically refined form.

Comfort is offered equally to all occupants, whether they are seated at the front, middle or rear of the vehicle. The unique three-row seat design of the Odyssey has been taken a step further with the second row of seats featuring a front-rear slide range of 380 mm, as well as a built-in air-conditioner. The spare tyre is now placed in an underfloor storage area ensuring more comfort and space for third row occupants.

The new Odyssey is available with two engines -a 2.3-litre in-line VTEC 4-cylinder and a 3.0-litre VTEC V6. Engineered to exacting environmental and performance standards, both engines deliver high power with low emissions, as well as superlative quietness.

The all-new Odyssey also features Honda LEV’s (Low Emissions Vehicle), which reduces the amount of the regulated pollutants CO, HC and NOx in exhaust gas. It already clears government-mandated year 2000 exhaust emissions standards in Japan by as much as 50 per cent.

Both Odyssey’s engines - the 2.3-litre in-line 4-cylinder VTEC and 3.0-litre V6 VTEC - also meet fuel-economy standards set in Japan for 2010. All of which makes the new Odyssey an outstanding example of environment-friendly engineering.

The V6 Odyssey features a five-speed transmission with an in-dash shift lever with sequential shift.

Honda has made extensive reinforcements for the new Odyssey’s body. Use of front strut tower bars and further strengthening of cross members at the rear suspension’s mounting locations has resulted in much-improved bending rigidity and torsional rigidity. This upgraded body solidity helps deliver a driving experience that is marked by a strong sense of security.

The body now features Honda’s original G-Force Control technology, designed for the ultimate protection of all persons who may be involved in a traffic accident. That includes the driver, the passengers and pedestrians.