TOKYO: The Honda Odyssey has gone hybrid – at least in Japan.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. started selling an affordably-priced hybrid version as well as the newly refreshed gasoline-powered version of the Honda Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute premium minivans today at dealerships across Japan.
A new addition to the Odyssey lineup, the hybrid version realises both excellent fuel economy and high-quality driving in the Odyssey and Odyssey Absolute which have been well-received for their spacious cabin, stately styling and exhilarating yet stable driving experience.
The newly-added Odyssey Hybrid and Odyssey Hybrid Absolute are the first Honda premium minivan models equipped with the Honda-developed powertrain Sport Hybrid i-MMD and attain class-topping fuel economy of 26.0 km/l.
For system efficiency, Honda developed a new motor that features an innovative winding method and structure. This newly-developed motor is 23% smaller and lighter than the previous version and yet realises high torque and high output. Honda said that by compactly emplacing the lithium-ion battery underneath the floor of the first-row seats, these hybrid models achieve high fuel economy and performance without sacrificing occupant comfort.
The conventional Odyssey uses a 2.4-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine linked to a continuously variable transmission, while the hybrid gets a 2.0-litre DOHC i-VTEC engine mated with the i-MMD system.
For the petrol-powered Odyssey, each version promises comfort features such a large-sized armrest for the driver’s seat and a full automatic air-conditioning unit that adopts Plasmacluster technology.
In addition, the Honda SENSING suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies is now standard for all grades.
Prices range from 2.8 million yen (RM98,000) to 4 million yen (RM142,000) for the hybrid with the full trim.
Keyword: Honda introduces Odyssey hybrid in Japan