CHICAGO — Perhaps in answer to the female bloggers who complain that a minivan is punishment for having a third child, Honda on Wednesday unveiled the Odyssey concept, which previews a sleeker and more stylish 2011 Odyssey minivan. The minivan concept, which was revealed at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, apparently draws some of its inspiration from Harry Potter, too.
The Odyssey concept is highlighted by a "lightning bolt" beltline that is said to "distinguish the vehicle's profile," according to the automaker. Fans of the Harry Potter books and movies undoubtedly will see a link to the boy wizard's lightning-shaped scar, which was acquired when the evil Lord Voldemort tried to kill him.
In this case, Odyssey's lightning bolt is not only a styling cue, it also enhances outward visibility for third-row passengers, according to Honda. No word yet on whether this styling cue will be incorporated into the production vehicle, which is due out in the fall.
Honda is aiming for a lower and wider minivan with the redesign. The Odyssey concept rides on the same wheelbase as the 2010 Odyssey, but it's wider and shorter. The concept is 78.5 inches wide, versus a width of 77.1 inches for the 2010 Odyssey. The concept is 68.3 inches in height. The 2010 Odyssey is 68.8 inches tall on the LX model and 70.0 inches tall on the EX, EX-L and Touring models.
Honda did not reveal powertrain specs for the 2011 Odyssey, although it said it was aiming for "higher fuel economy." It estimated that the 2011 Odyssey will get 19 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway on certain models versus an EPA-estimated mileage of 16 mpg in city driving and 23 mpg on the highway for the 2010 Odyssey LX and EX models. The uplevel 2010 Odyssey EX-L and Touring models return 17 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg on the highway.
Cabin changes for the new Odyssey remain a mystery, too, with the automaker merely saying "forthcoming improvements to the production Odyssey's interior are designed to further enhance the current model's accommodating space for people and cargo." Unknown is whether Honda will offer a special access seat for the second row, a new feature on the 2011 Toyota Sienna.
It is uncertain if Honda will be the first to offer a hybrid minivan with the redesign, something that has been the subject of speculation, or whether the Odyssey will get a new four-cylinder engine.
Toyota threw down the gauntlet at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show when it showed off its redesigned 2011 Sienna minivan. It underscored that the redesign made the Sienna look more like a sedan. Among the highlights are a new, sporty SE model with side skirting, standard 19-inch alloy wheels, smoked taillamps and a sport-tuned suspension, as well as the debut of a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine.
Inside Line says: Honda tries to win the hearts and minds of soccer moms with this sneak peek at the 2011 Odyssey minivan. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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carfreaksd says:
07:22 AM, 03/13/2010
i think this design is better than the new sienna myself....its cleaner.....the sienna bulges i certain areas like all the new toyota designs......but both are a big improvement
wikiwiki says:
10:41 AM, 02/11/2010
Not sure about this look yet. I think I like the new Sienna better. But if you are in the market for a new minivan, you really only have 2 choices anymore. Buying a Chrysler is not an option if you want a good car. I heard Kia is stopping the production of their minivan. Hyundai is out. The VW minivan is just a rebadged Chrysler. The Flex is cool for older kids but not younger families who need the sliding door. Am I missing anything? No word on the new Quest and they have been as reliable as Chrysler, which is not good in any way. The Mazda 5 is not really for a family of 5. MPV is gone. So just 2 choices left??
teddyc73 says:
07:39 AM, 02/11/2010
My choice would still be the much classier looking Town & Country. This just looks to Honda generic while the Sienna (like most Toyotas) is horribly ugly.
xoquixxoqafxo says:
06:58 PM, 02/10/2010
MUCH BETTER LOOKING THAN THE UGLY 2011 SIENNA!
blueprint1 says:
09:25 AM, 02/10/2010
Glad to see Honda is taking a new, better direction in styling. As an owner of a gen-2 Odyssey (1999-2004), I think the concept looks great and skips over the flabby 2005-2010 model.
If the production van follows closely the look and details of the concept, this will be one great-looking minivan.