Honda Car Forum

The significantly-updated-for-2008 Honda Odyssey minivan receives new exterior
styling along with a more fuel-efficient version of the available Variable Cylinder
Management™ (VCM®) i-VTEC V-6 engine. Exterior styling focuses on
a bolder, six-sided grille design and a front bumper fascia with crisp lines
that add to the vehicle's dynamic and premium appearance.

"The Odyssey is the king of the Honda lineup when it comes to moving
the maximum number of people in maximum comfort," said Dick Colliver,
executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "For 2008,
the Odyssey strengthens its styling and functional advantages while adding even
more premium features."

Four new and notable available premium features include Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®
(available Odyssey EX-L and Touring), 4-way power passenger seat (standard Odyssey
EX-L and Touring), rearview camera display integrated into the rearview mirror
(standard Odyssey EX-L) and memory-linked side mirrors with reverse gear tilt-down
(standard Odyssey Touring).

Interior styling receives updates in the form of new colors and textures for
the instrument panel, along with premium fabric for Odyssey LX and EX seating
surfaces. Further interior refinements include an additional storage bin in
the 2nd Row PlusOne Seat™ (standard on Odyssey EX, EX-L and Touring),
standard MP3/Windows® Media Audio (WMA) compatibility (CD-based) and a standard
auxiliary input jack.

The Odyssey achieves the highest five-star crash safety rating by the federal
government for both frontal and side impacts . In keeping with the Honda "Safety
for Everyone" initiative, all Odyssey models are equipped with Vehicle
Stability Assist™ (VSA®), also known as electronic stability control;
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; and a pedestrian safety design in the front
of the vehicle. An Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body
structure provides enhanced occupant protection in a frontal collision. New
for 2008, active front seat head restraints and daytime running lights have
been added.

Known for its industry trend-setting One-Motion 60/40 Split 3rd-Row Magic
Seat®, the Odyssey's innovative eight-passenger seating areas (seven-passenger
on LX) quickly and easily adapt between passenger and cargo duties. The 3rd-Row
Magic Seat can accommodate up to three passengers and still provide 38.4 cubic
feet of cargo volume behind the seats, or fold completely flat into the floor
for cargo duty to create 91.1 cubic feet of cargo volume while still maintaining
room for five passengers (four passengers on LX). With the second row seats
removed, total cargo volume expands to a voluminous 147.4 cubic feet. Total
interior volume measures 209.8 cubic feet for passenger and cargo volume combined
- representing a total volume greater than two Civic Sedan interior volumes
combined, for comparison. The 2nd-Row PlusOneSeat™ integrates a new storage
bin inside the seat structure and is standard equipment on the Odyssey EX and
EX-L (as before). The 2nd-Row PlusOneSeat has been added as standard equipment
to the Odyssey Touring, replacing the standard removable center console, while
retaining similar functionality and adding a seating position to the previously
seven-passenger Touring model.

Designed with families in mind, a total of three Lower Anchors and Tethers
for Children (LATCH) child seat attachment systems exist: two are located in
the outboard second-row seating positions and one is located in the middle third-row
seating position.

Standard comfort and convenience features 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.

Available premium features include the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™
with voice recognition, an 8-inch screen, and Zagat Survey® restaurant guide
information, and a Honda DVD Entertainment System with a 9-inch screen. A rearview
camera aids rear visibility on the Odyssey EX-L equipped with the available
navigation system. Odyssey EX-L models without the available navigation system
provide a rearview camera display via a 2.5-inch monitor embedded in the rearview
mirror.

Determined by specific model, two engine variations exist. The 3.5-liter, all-aluminum,
SOHC VTEC® engine on the Odyssey LX and EX produces 244 horsepower at 5750
rpm and 240 lb-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm. The Odyssey LX and EX models achieve
an EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 16/23 mpg .

The Odyssey EX-L and Touring models feature a 3.5-liter, all-aluminum, SOHC
i-VTEC® V-6 engine with VCM for enhanced fuel efficiency. This engine produces
241 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 242 lb-ft. of torque at 4900 rpm.

For 2008, a new generation of VCM provides the additional capability to selectively
deactivate either two or three of the engine's six cylinders during cruising
and deceleration (instead of three, exclusively). Similar to the new VCM system
available on the 2008 Accord, the Odyssey's new VCM engine expands the cylinder
deactivation operating range, which helps to increase fuel efficiency in a wider
variety of driving conditions and speeds. An "ECO" indicator light
illuminates on the instrument panel when the vehicle is operating at an optimal
level of fuel efficiency. The Odyssey EX-L and Touring models achieve an EPA-rated
city/highway fuel economy of 17/25 mpg2.

Vehicles equipped with VCM use both an audio system-based Active Noise Cancellation
(ANC) system and a chassis-based Active Control Engine Mount (ACM) system to
cancel noise and vibration that can occur during cylinder deactivation.

An independent front and rear suspension and a rigid unit body structure help
provide comfortable and refined ride performance. Additional chassis components
include power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes and variable power-assisted rack-and-pinion
steering. Odyssey LX, EX and EX-L models have 16-inch wheels (alloy on EX and
EX-L) with all-season 235/65R16 tires. Odyssey Touring models are equipped with
17-inch alloy wheels and all-season 235/60R17 tires (standard); Michelin®
PAX® System run-flat technology wheels and tires are available (460 mm wheels
and 235-710R 460A tires).