MANILA, Philippines–How do you come up with a successor to one of the best minivans on the planet, regardless of price? If you’re Honda, you make it better.
Honda Cars Philippines unveiled the all-new Odyssey minivan on Tuesday, coming with a premium vehicle that is both more practical, probably more fuel efficient, while at the same time more luxurious.
The Odyssey for the Philippines will no longer be the American version of that nameplate, but the vehicle created for Japanese and Asian markets. As such, it is smaller than the outgoing car, while still providing ample room.
Exterior length is reduced by a considerable 322 millimeters, and width by 191 mm. Wheelbase is 2900 mm, versus the American’s 3000 mm.
Weight is also reduced by about 110 kilograms. The twin sliding door configuration is retained for easy ingress and egress.
The centerpiece of any van is its cabin. Honda says that the Odyssey cabin follows the “Modern Suite Room” concept. Odyssey seats seven in three rows: two for the first row, two in the second-row captain’s chairs and three in the third row.
At the cockpit is a 7-inch touchscreen display audio unit with navigation, and at the back is a 9-inch monitor with HDMI port and DVD player.
Honda says that noise, vibration and harshness are reduced, thanks to more sound absorbing material and thicker glass all around.
The interior promises to be versatile, with a “sizeable amount of load” space even with all seats up. The third row can be folded flat under the floor, allowing the Odyssey to convert to a limousine of sorts, with the captain’s chairs sliding all the way to the back of the van.
Sliding the seats forward allows for more cargo space. The captain’s chairs can also be positioned sideways for more personal space, or to provide a walk-through area. The third row features a three-way split reclining seatback.
Odyssey will be powered by an Earth Dreams Technology-branded 2.4-liter DOHC iVTEC engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission with paddle shifter. The engine produces 172.60 HP and 225 Nm.
The Econ mode button and ambient Eco coaching meter will be standard. An idle stop system automatically shuts down the engine when the van is at a complete stop, while a cold-storage evaporator continues to cool the cabin.
The smart key system allows for a push-button start. Other convenience features are an eight-way power driver’s chair, steering wheel remote switches, automatic climate control, and USB and HDMI ports.
The Odyssey comes with a multiview camera system. With four wide angle cameras on the front grille, door mirrors, and tailgate, the system provides a 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings on the audio monitor.
Blind spot monitor and cross traffic monitor help alert for vehicles that may be in the path of the car. ABS, EBD, stability assist, hill-start assist, active cornering lights, and six airbags round out the safety features.
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