New Honda Odyssey minivan Ready for the US Market
by EVANDER KLUM
Honda Motor Co. Inc. now releases the redesigned Honda Odyssey minivan model in the U.S. market equipped with numerous features and other updated components for the 2008 model year.
Four model trim levels of the Honda Odyssey minivan are available for the US. These include Odyssey EX, Odyssey LX, Odyssey EX-L, and Odyssey Touring. The vehicle is already on sale in Honda dealerships all over the US carrying a base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,860.
Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The Odyssey is the king of the Honda lineup when it comes to moving the maximum number of people in maximum comfort. For 2008, the Odyssey strengthens its styling and functional advantages while adding even more premium features."
The Odyssey LX and EX will be equipped with a 3.5-liter all-aluminum SOHC VTEC engine that produces 244 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 240 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. The Odyssey EX-L and Touring models feature the 3.5-liter, all-aluminum, SOHC i-VTEC? V-6 engine with VCM. The engine pumps out 241 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and revs up 242 lb-ft. of torque at 4,900 rpm.
For the Odyssey EX-L and Touring models, Honda now offers the Bluetooth HandsFreeLink as an optional feature. Other features of the Honda Odyssey include dual-zone air conditioning (tri-zone automatic climate control on Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring), tilt and telescope steering wheel, power windows and door locks, keyless entry and cruise control.4-way power passenger seat, rearview camera display integrated into the rearview mirror, memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down (standard Odyssey Touring), premium fabric for Odyssey LX and EX seating surfaces, 2nd Row PlusOne Seat (standard on Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring), standard MP3/Windows?3 Media Audio (WMA) compatibility (CD-based) and a standard auxiliary input jack, One-Motion 60/40 Split 3rd-Row Magic Seat, 3rd-Row Magic Seat, available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with voice recognition, an 8-inch screen, and Zagat Survey, Honda DVD Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen, and rearview camera.
The Honda Odyssey minivan also comes with a wide range of active and passive safety features. These include Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), standard anti-lock brakes with brake assist, advanced dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's SRS airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Protection Detection System (OPDS), three-row side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) child seat attachment systems.
The Honda Odyssey LX, EX and EX-L models rides on 16-inch wheels with all-season 235/65R16 tires, while the Odyssey Touring comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season 235/60R17 tires. Customers can also get the Michelin PAX System run-flat technology wheels and tires package. Other automakers like Saab should also roll out minivan models equipped with Saab performance parts in the US.
