October 15^th, 1999                                           

Honda's 2000 Odyssey (and a weird concept or two) for Tokyo

Honda Motor Co. will unveil its all-new 2000 Odyssey at the 33^rd Annual Tokyo Motor Show on October 20.

The popular people mover has entered its second phase, with a new exterior design and even more luxurious interior, including a dash-mounted gearshift to replace the column-mounted shift.

Two themes – "smart" and "fun" – were pursued by Honda in creating its concept vehicles for the Tokyo Motor Show, all designed to maximise recreation and leisure in the new millennium, while being environment-friendly.

The new fuel cell-powered FCX leads the concept vehicles at the company’s Tokyo show stand.

Honda’s continued research into alternative energy sources has reached a new level with the FCX sedan, a methanol-powered car that employs a new approach to packaging, effectively dividing the body into two sections – under-floor and cabin.

Its upper section is a spacious flat-floor cabin, seating four adults in full comfort. Futuristic technology inside includes rear passenger airbags mounted in the front seat-backs, card ignition key and fingerprint ID system.

The lower section accommodates innovative fuel cell technology, which provides electricity to drive an electric motor – a refinement of the DC brushless motor found in the Honda EV Plus. The FC unit power output is among the highest in the world at 250A x 300 V.

The motor and a vertically positioned gearbox fit within the short nose of the FCX.

Honda has also created a futuristic sports utility vehicle – called the Spocket – with a flexible 2x2 seat and cargo configuration, drawing on the theme of outdoor sporting equipment.

The sporty two-door Spocket has the cargo floor of a pickup truck and can be rearranged to become a 2-seater convertible or a four-seat passenger vehicle.

Taking fun to new levels is the Fuya-Jo concept vehicle or "24-hour amusement zone".

Built for the city that never sleeps, the Fuya-Jo is a radically different cruiser from traditional urban transport.

Taken from the shape of a skateboard, the Fuya-Jo’s four seats are mounted upright in a semi-standing position to imitate the ride sensation of a skateboard or rollerblades. (It looks like it would make cornering - on any corner at all - a whole new experience!)

The cockpit interior was designed in the image of a DJ console, with a turntable style steering wheel and digital screen.

The doors are lined with full-sized speakers for the ultimate night out on the town, the rear door has special hooks to hang skateboards and, in true nightclub style, the floors are covered in black vinyl.

The Tokyo Motor Show runs until 3 November.