On the evening before the Montreal Auto Show media day, Honda Canada
invited a bunch of journalists to a private event so they could admire
the Honda Civic Type R Prototype in the flesh.
On the evening before the Montreal Auto Show media day, Honda Canada
invited a bunch of journalists to a private event so they could admire
the Honda Civic Type R Prototype in the flesh. The company’s compact hot
rod will be on display throughout the Montreal show, but also at the
Toronto show in February.
Absolutely no information was given about the new Type R. However,
the folks at Honda did announce the arrival of a new model for the
Canadian market.
The Clarity Fuel Cell, a hydrogen-powered, premium midsize sedan, was
unveiled at the New York Auto Show in April 2016. The car will
initially be offered in California, with leasing options starting last
December. It was also announced that fully electric and plug-in hybrid
versions of the Clarity would also eventually hit the market.
Honda Canada has just confirmed that the Clarity PHEV would also make
its way to Canada. No extra details have been disclosed, but the
Clarity Fuel Cell has a driving range of 586 kilometres and can be
refuelled with hydrogen in about five minutes. The Clarity Plug-in
Hybrid will probably use a powertrain based on the Accord’s two-motor
hybrid system, which develops a combined 212 horsepower.
In addition, at the Detroit Auto Show last week, Honda said a
dedicated hybrid model will be launched sometime in 2018, and that the
Accord Hybrid’s two-motor powertrain would make its way into light
trucks, without specifying which ones and when.
Honda promises that by 2030, two-thirds of their sales will consist
of electrified models, and by 2050, it plans to produce half the CO2
emissions it was emitting in the year 2000.
An ambitious plan, since the last dedicated hybrid Honda sold was the
Insight, and both the CR-Z and Civic Hybrid models have recently been
retired.
Advanced connectivity and entertainment with new Display Audio, CabinWatch, CabinTalk & streaming video with 4G LTE Wi-Fi
New CabinControl app enables smartphone control of key vehicle systems, audio and rear entertainment features
New Magic Slide™ second-row seat provides the ultimate in family-friendly versatility and comfort
New 10-speed transmission joins DI V-6 engine in powertrain lineup
Honda Sensing™ standard on trims expected to represent 95 percent of sales
DETROIT – Honda today took the wraps off a sleek,
sophisticated and innovative new 2018 Odyssey minivan, launching at
dealerships nationwide this spring. Already the most popular minivan
with individual American car buyers for seven years running, the
next-generation Odyssey brings a host of new features and technologies
for 2018, including a uniquely versatile new Magic Slide™ second-row
seat; new CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies; new Display Audio
touchscreen with Honda-developed OS; 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity; new Rear
Entertainment System with streaming video; and Honda Sensing™ safety
and driver-assistive technologies, now offered standard on EX and above
trims.
"This new Odyssey raises the stakes for family-friendly packaging,
performance and technology in the minivan segment," said John Mendel,
Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "In all
aspects of its design, the new Odyssey is made to keep every member of
the family happy, no matter the seating position, no matter the
destination."
Sophisticated and Family-Friendly Design
The Odyssey's sophisticated and modern new styling adopts Honda's
signature flying wing front grille flanked by available LED front
headlights. The bold and sporty front fascia also conceals a new Active
Shutter Grille for improved fuel efficiency when cruising. The Odyssey's
signature lightning bolt beltline now provides an even more elegant
design element with the sliding door tracks hidden in the lower portion
of the rear quarter windows. At the rear there are LED taillights and an
available new hands-free power tailgate with foot activation.
Inside, the new Odyssey features high-grade materials including a
soft-touch instrument panel. The driver's meter features a new 7-inch,
full-color TFT display, and in the center of the dash there is an
available 8-inch high-resolution Display Audio touchscreen interface (EX
and above). In upper grades, stain-resistant leather first- and
second-row seating surfaces and door trim and black carpeting and black
seatbelts are designed to conceal stains, while a new grooveless tambour
lid on the spacious and versatile center console resists the
accumulation of crumbs and debris.
In-vehicle Connectivity
In-vehicle connectivity is taken to a whole new "family connectivity"
concept. Old-fashioned family connectivity – sometimes called a
conversation – is made easier than ever with the quietest cabin in the
class, and is augmented with a multitude of new connected-vehicle
features and technologies, including:
New Display Audio – featuring a new Honda-developed
operating system, more intuitive menus and customizable app tiles, this
8-inch high-resolution (720P) touchscreen interface serves as the nerve
center for a multitude of new audio and telematics options, including
Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, and adds a physical
volume knob for improved usability.
System updates – users can download available
updates to the Display Audio operating system and rear entertainment
system at their convenience via 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, or USB.
CabinWatch – using a camera, CabinWatch lets the
driver and front passenger keep tabs on passengers both day and night
via the 8-inch Display Audio screen.
CabinTalk – enables the driver to talk to second -
and third-row passengers though the second-and third-row speakers and
rear entertainment system headphones.
Connected Rear Entertainment System – second- and
third-row passengers can enjoy streaming video on the ceiling-mounted,
10.2-inch WSVGA Rear Entertainment System, including PBS Kids, iHeart
Radio, Spotify and more, through the available in-vehicle 4G LTE Wi-Fi,
public Wi-Fi or user's cellphone data plan. A new "How Much Farther?"
app lets passengers track the family's trip progress.
CabinControl – using a downloadable app, users can
use a smart phone to control the rear entertainment system, rear cabin
heat and air conditioning, and send destinations to the embedded Honda
navigation system.
Social Play List – part of CabinControl, Social
Playlist operates like a virtual jukebox, allowing up to seven family
members to upload their music choices to the audio system via their
smartphones.
Cabin quietness is enabled by new features and technologies including
triple door seals, available acoustic front and side glass, and
increased use of sound deadening materials under the floor, in the
engine compartment and under the fenders, along with standard Active
Sound Control technology.
New Magic Slide™ seats
A major innovation to family-friendly cabin seating flexibility is
the Odyssey's new Magic Slide™ second-row seat, easily reconfigurable
for optimal passenger comfort, people- and cargo-hauling flexibility,
and easy access to third-row seating – even when one or two rear-facing
child seats are placed in the second row. Use modes include:
Easy Access mode – with the center seat removed, the outboard seats
slide laterally through five selectable positions, allowing for easy
access to the third row even with one or two rear-facing child seats
installed in the second row. And with the center-most seat slid forward,
a child is put within easy reach of the front seat occupants.
Super mode – like Easy Access mode but with the driver's side seat
set to walk-in position (slid full forward with the seatback tilted) for
maximum access to the third row.
Wide mode – with the center seat removed and two outboard seats in
their outer most positions, providing a wide center walkthrough to the
third row (and no more "Dad, he's touching me again!").
Buddy mode – with the center seat removed and two outboard seats
abutting one another in the center of the vehicle, putting two people in
close proximity and within easier reach of the front seat occupants.
Safety for the Family
All 2018 Odysseys in EX and above trims, expected to comprise about
95 percent of all Odyssey sales, will feature the Honda Sensing™ suite
of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies as standard
equipment, including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS™), Lane
Keeping Assist (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Adaptive
Cruise Control (ACC). Combined with the Odyssey's next-generation
Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure and advanced
airbags, including new driver and front passenger knee airbags, the
Odyssey targets the highest available safety ratings – an NCAP 5-star
Overall Vehicle Score and an IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating.
Additional Features and Technologies
Additional new standard and available features include LED
headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, heated side mirrors and
steering wheel, auto high-beam headlights, rain-sensing wipers, blind
spot information (on all models with Honda Sensing), front and rear
parking sensors, Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, Electric Parking Brake with
Brake Hold, three-zone automatic climate control, wireless device
charging, multi-zone audio, Sirius 2.0, Pandora compatibility, HD
Radio™, and HondaVac® in-vehicle vacuum.
Advanced new powertrains, body and chassis
The 2018 Honda Odyssey will be powered by a 3.5-liter, direct-injected i-VTEC™
V-6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management™ (VCM™). Peak engine
output is 280 SAE net horsepower (+32 HP) and benefits from the advanced
capabilities of its two available new transmissions – a 9-speed
automatic and, for upper grades an all-new, Honda-developed 10-speed
automatic, the first of its kind in a minivan, providing more confident
and refined performance.
These advanced new powertrains, together with a more rigid and
lightweight body, new chassis technology, and Odyssey's sleek and
aerodynamic new design are expected to result in class-leading
performance and top-in-class EPA fuel economy ratings. Honda's
Intelligent Traction Management system adds normal and snow modes and
combines with Agile Handling Assist and a more powerful braking system
for improved all-weather traction and control.
Advanced new body and chassis
An all-new body and chassis design underpins the new Odyssey's
incredibly quiet cabin and class-leading steering precision, handling
prowess and ride comfort. The Odyssey body utilizes advanced materials,
including ultra-high-strength steel, aluminum and magnesium to
simultaneously minimize weight and improve body rigidity. Vehicle weight
is down by up to 96 pounds, depending on trim, and torsional body
rigidity is up 44 percent from the outgoing model.
New chassis features include a highly-responsive new Dual-Pinion
Electric Power Steering (EPS) with .44 fewer turns lock-to-lock for
increased response and easy maneuverability; and a compact new trailing
arm rear suspension with stabilizer bar that not only enables improved
handling and ride comfort, but also provides for the most spacious rear
cargo area in the class.
Design, Development and Manufacturing
The all-new 2018 Honda Odyssey was designed and developed by Honda R&D in North America. The Odyssey and its 3.5-liter i-VTEC
V6 engine will be manufactured exclusively at the company's Lincoln,
Alabama plant using domestic and globally sourced parts. The new
10-speed transmission will be produced at the company's transmission
plant in Tallapoosa, Georgia. The 2018 Odyssey is the second generation
Odyssey to be designed and developed in North America and the fourth
generation to be manufactured exclusively in North America.
About Odyssey
Through five generations, the Odyssey has evolved to meet the
changing needs of American families. Odyssey has been the most popular
minivan with individual American car buyers for each of the past six
years and is on pace for a seventh straight year of retail sales
leadership in 2016. Odyssey also has been the most popular minivan with
under-35 year old buyers in every year since 2010, and American car
buyers have purchased nearly 2.5 million Odyssey minivans since its 1994
debut.
