2005 Honda Odyssey Exposed

[Daniel]

Charlotte, NC - July 29, 2004 -- Seen here is the upcoming 3rd generation 2005 Honda Odyssey, due in showrooms this fall. The new Odyssey will probably not break as much ground as the 2nd generation did back in 1999, but it should once again push it to the front of the class. Expected on the new Odyssey is an ACE body structure which uses lighter and stronger materials for a safer and more compliant ride, 3-zone climate control (an industry first), and roll down rear windows like the new Sienna. Side curtain airbags are expected to be standard on the model, and Navigation and the Rear Entertainment System will be able to be ordered together. The powertrain of the new Odyssey will most likely not be much different from the outgoing model. It is expected to retain the stellar 250 or so horsepower J35 3.5L V6 engine, but add the Honda ‘VCM’ system. VCM stands for Variable Cylinder Management, and will shut off a bank of cylinders when the cruising load is on the light side, such as highway driving. The technology should have the Odyssey’s highway MPG flirting with 30. Honda’s hybrid system, IMA, is not expected for 2005, but may appear in 2006 or so. The Accord Sedan V6 will have an IMA option coming in Fall 2004. With the addition of more features, a plusher interior and a more advanced powertrain, the 2005 Odyssey should once again put the Sienna and Town and Country in their places for standard features and value. With the 2004 Odyssey still performing stellar in two magazine comparisons (it finished #1 in a Car and Driver test and #2 in an Edmunds.com test), we can only imagine how the 3rd generation will destroy the competition. -Chris Hall Copyright 2004 Honda-Acura.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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[whatever7]

Is Honda imprementing the "VMC" system on all V6 models?

Does that look like a roll-down 2nd side window to you?

[MrFatbooty]

Looks like the second window should roll down. That divider tells me it should go relatively far down into the door, as opposed to the Sienna and MPV which both have the whole window roll down but only so far.

Siennas are selling insanely well for the time being, and once this new Odyssey comes out we'll have a real dogfight on our hands the likes of the Accord versus the Camry.

[98CoupeV6]

Originally Posted by whatever7

Is Honda imprementing the "VMC" system on all V6 models?

Does that look like a roll-down 2nd side window to you?

Uh yes and yes, read the story.

[Daniel]

Updated thread with new interior image.

[RB26DETT]

kinda thick.

[98CoupeV6]

Yeah we know, it's definetly going to have a roll down rear window.

[Samson]

i think they should have made it so the cup holder with cups in it.. didnt block all those controls... kinda weird IMO..

[ryallcars]

does it look like the cupholder assembly in the picture slides into the dash to anyone else? I sure hope so...being able to get to the back is pretty important in a van

[Samson]

Originally Posted by ryallcars

does it look like the cupholder assembly in the picture slides into the dash to anyone else? I sure hope so...being able to get to the back is pretty important in a van

the whole thing slides forward into the dash.... and the center tray folds down

[Daniel]

I've obtained some additional information as we draw closer to the availability date of September 22, 2004. Honda will not be showcasing the vehicle prior to 09.22. Any early imagery will come from additional spy shots (which there are more out there) and possible photos of Odysseys in transit to the dealerships. We will begin seeing TV advertisements two to three days prior to that date. Pricing will only be available on that date as well.

[MrFatbooty]

That's good, I don't have to worry about customers cross-shopping the new Ody while I'm trying to sell Siennas for the remainder of the summer.

Of course that $285/month lease program on the current Odyssey was a pain in my ass too...

[jaje]

By YUZO YAMAGUCHI | Automotive News

TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co.'s redesigned Odyssey minivan will be offered this fall with Michelin's Pax run-flat tire system, according to Honda sources.

The minivan, produced in Lincoln, Ala., will be the first Honda in the world fitted with run-flat tires.

The Pax system allows a tire to run flat for more than 120 miles at 50 mph. Michelin says the tire never rolls off the rim, even when it deflates suddenly.

Honda sources would not say whether the run-flat tires would be standard or optional.

The French tire maker introduced the Pax system in 1998. The package includes a tire, a wheel, a flexible support ring inside the tire and a tire pressure monitoring system. In the event of a loss of air pressure, the Pax tire rides on the inner support ring.

"Replacing such a big tire is hard work for a customer, so we think a run-flat tire will be very worthwhile," says one Honda source.

Using a run-flat tire for the Odyssey makes sense, says Tsunemi Tachibana analyst at Nikko City Group in Tokyo. "It provides a sense of security, which is key for a family car."

The Odyssey is Honda's top-selling light truck. In 2003, it sold 154,063 units in the United States, an increase of 0.4 percent over 2002.

Run-flats will help differentiate the new Odyssey from the current version. The styling of the new model is not expected to vary much from the outgoing model.

The special tires have been slow to gain acceptance in the United States. Only the Rolls-Royce Phantom is equipped with Michelin's Pax system in this country.

Bridgestone's competing run-flat tire system is standard on the BMW Z8 and Z4 and optional on the BMW 5 and 7 series. The system is standard on Toyota's Sienna minivan and optional on the Lexus SC 430 and Infiniti Q45.

Toyota also offers Dunlop run-flat tires as a $400 option on the Lexus SC 430.

Michelin pioneered the steel belted radial tire that significantly increased tire safety and performance...the PAX system doesn't add anywhere near as much weight as competitor's thicker sidewall versions...less rotational inertia improves performance (acceleration and braking) and fuel economy

[kazi]

Originally Posted by odydude1

More pics of the 2005 Honda Odyssey at this site, with other inside information! no ads, (whew!) *EDIT*
very cool site!

I hate SPAM.

[iNteGraz92]

yeah spam, but i haven't seen those pictures anywhere else on the net

[Daniel]

Originally Posted by iNteGraz92

yeah spam, but i haven't seen those pictures anywhere else on the net

I actually have the thumbnails for all of those images and more, but seeing that we are so close to September 1st, I declined to purchase.

[rb6teg]

Ok, I'm sorry, but that's the most hideous interior I've seen in a Honda. How the hell do they expect people to choose this over the Sienna or the Nissan? The nissan may not win any design awards, but you certainly can't say it lacks style. I think I like the current odyssey dash better. Blah Honda.

[kazi]

Originally Posted by rb6teg

Ok, I'm sorry, but that's the most hideous interior I've seen in a Honda. How the hell do they expect people to choose this over the Sienna or the Nissan? The nissan may not win any design awards, but you certainly can't say it lacks style. I think I like the current odyssey dash better. Blah Honda.

Did you just call the Honda's interior hideous and then asked why it should be chosen over the Nissan Quest? Sorry, but 'style' isn't the right word I would use for the Quest's interior.

[rb6teg]

Originally Posted by kazi

Did you just call the Honda's interior hideous and then asked why it should be chosen over the Nissan Quest? Sorry, but 'style' isn't the right word I would use for the Quest's interior.

I guess it's my personal opinion. I'm sure the Quest doesn't use great materials, but IMO it looks nice.

I guess what I'm saying is......everything about this van is going to be perfectly designed....It's a Honda......but they could have done a LITTLE something to make it look more attractive inside. They managed to do it with every other vehicle they've produced....why did the odyssey get the short end of the deal? Do you really think that the dash looks that good?

[kazi]

The Odyssey's interior really isn't that bad as you make it out to be. The Sienna has a very nice interior for sure, but the Quest? Personally, I think the dash looks good from an ergonomics point of view. I think it looks decent and better than average. As far as material and refinement, I hold off opinions on that until I see it in person.

But the QUEST???? I know its your personal opinion, but I can't see how anyone can say their playskool design dash looks good and say it looks nicer than the pictures of the Odyssey we see so far.

[MrFatbooty]

I would at the very least reserve judgement about the '05 Odyssey's dash until seeing a final picture.

[98CoupeV6]

Yeah without Navi I think it is a pretty homely center stack, but with it the whole thing looks so well designed and flowing.

Not in the same league as the Accord, TSX, TL and RL though.

[jaje]

dash layouts like the quest, etc. that relocate vital gauges (speedometer, emergency lights) that require the driver to take their eyes off the road for a longer period of time should never be allowed...just that fraction of a second longer taken could mean the difference between a life or death

[kazi]

Originally Posted by jaje

dash layouts like the quest, etc. that relocate vital gauges (speedometer, emergency lights) that require the driver to take their eyes off the road for a longer period of time should never be allowed...just that fraction of a second longer taken could mean the difference between a life or death

Add to the fact the text on the speedometer and stuff is so small on the Quest is .

[rb6teg]

I hadn't seen the red one......that is ugly......but in normal colors, I still like the Quest's dash design better.

[mayonaise]

Originally Posted by jaje

dash layouts like the quest, etc. that relocate vital gauges (speedometer, emergency lights) that require the driver to take their eyes off the road for a longer period of time should never be allowed...just that fraction of a second longer taken could mean the difference between a life or death

the theory behind center-mounted gauge displays is that your peripheral vision (side to side vision) is better than your up and down (can't remember if there is a term for it) vision. your peripheral vision allows you to see to your left and right much better than you can see above and below - that is, WITHOUT turning your head or moving your eyes. center-mounted displays are thought to be better in a car for this reason, because if they're positioned within your peripheral vision they'll actually be easier to see while you concentrate on the road ahead. with regular gauge displays mounted right in front of the driver, you have to actually move your eyes or head to see them. when you look down at them, you can't see the road. using your peripheral vision is actually an advantage.

[kazi]

Originally Posted by mayonaise

the theory behind center-mounted gauge displays is that your peripheral vision (side to side vision) is better than your up and down (can't remember if there is a term for it) vision. your peripheral vision allows you to see to your left and right much better than you can see above and below - that is, WITHOUT turning your head or moving your eyes. center-mounted displays are thought to be better in a car for this reason, because if they're positioned within your peripheral vision they'll actually be easier to see while you concentrate on the road ahead. with regular gauge displays mounted right in front of the driver, you have to actually move your eyes or head to see them. when you look down at them, you can't see the road. using your peripheral vision is actually an advantage.

What I found sitting in many vehicles and driving one with center gaugues is that even though the center instrument gauges are within your peripheral, the gauges are not in focus within that peripheral. Because of this, my eyes are forced to move the side, which mostly defeats that argument.

IMO, moving my eyes up and down is safer than side to side. Just because up and down allows me to scan the road ahead of me and keep an eye on everything that's right in front to whatever distance.

[jaje]

your eyes move faster up and down than side to side...so movement from 1 - 3 is faster than 1 - 2


--------
| 1 | 2 |
|------|
| 3 | 4 |
--------

Let's say your eyes are focused on position 1 (as if looking out the windshield while driving)...it is quicker to look down at position 3 than to look over at postion 2 or 4

peripheral is actually not really helpful in a normal car b/c the small gauges are located in a differnt spot and require a different focus...so your driving and looking out the car with a long range focus but you can't really see what your gauges say...only f1 and other race cars with the gauges located on the steering wheel located immediately below the driver's range of focus can they really see out of focus peripheral gauges (notice they are always larger digital gauges or just plain lights that will go off)

the main motivation of locating the gauges center stack is for ease of vision by passengers

[M Type X]

Originally Posted by jaje

the main motivation of locating the gauges center stack is for ease of vision by passengers

What about Saturn and the driver-facing central gaugehouse?
What's the logic for that?

... if you can't find any excuses for it, don't worry, there is none.

[Samson]

the quest's dash looks like a piece of furniture from ikea.. lol

it seems the instrument cluster faces pretty much forward, unlike some other manufacturers that have it at an agle facing the driver.