Source
http://paultan.org/archives/2008/10/17/new-2009-honda-odyssey-unveiled-in-japan/
The new Honda Odyssey has been unveiled in Japan, revealing styling that is very much like the recently launched Honda FCX Clarity, as with pretty much all new Honda cars and concepts these days.
The standard Odyssey is powered by a 2.4 liter DOHC i-VTEC engine producing 173 PS at 6,000rpm and 222Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. It rides on double-wishbones both at the front and rear. The FWD models are mated to a new CVT transmission (with torque converter) with ratios ranging from 2.470-0.450 while the AWD models are paired to a 5-speed auto with dual overdrives (ratios ranging from 2.651-0.566).
A high-spec Honda Odyssey Absolute uses the 5-speed automatic for both FWD and AWD variants and is powered by a tuned up version of the K24A engine. Thanks to higher revving and a higher compression ratio of 11:0:1 (instead of 10.0:1), it produces 206 PS at 7,000rpm and 232Nm of torque at 4,300rpm for the FWD version, and 204 PS and 230Nm of torque for the 4WD model.
The wheelbase remains the same as the outgoing model at 2,830mm but length has increased from 4,770mm to 4,800mm. While the width remains the same at 1,800mm, it seems that the new Odyssey in FWD form is lower at 1,545mm compared to the outgoing Malaysian spec FWD model’s 1,550mm height.
On the interior, the dash carries over a similiar “spaceship”-like design of the outgoing model, but updated to look different. The instrument panel features a display in the middle of the speedometer to function as a trip computer and display other key vehicle information such as a real time fuel consumption meter.
A redesign of the second row seats provides an additional 40mm of legroom and 20mm of knee space for the third row. The left and right seats of the second row is now moved 25mm forwards the center of the vehicle to create a V-shaped layout, which Honda says provides for a clearer forward view. The second row splits 3 ways - all 3 seats can be folded down individually.
The tailgate has been made thinner so that there is a slight increase of storage volume in the rear of the Odyssey. Over at the front, the A-pillars of the Odyssey have been modified to be 30% thinner for better visibility.
There is a new ECO button for the CVT models which controls both the CVT transmission shift pattern as well as the air conditioning system to reduce engine load, thus reducing fuel consumption in the process. Honda claims a fuel economy of 13.2km/L in the Japan 10-15 mode for the FWD CVT models.
