Iguida.com Speculates on the 2010 Honda Odyssey

2010 Honda Odyssey Changes

-Styling: The sharp lines of the 2009 Odyssey prove design flair can be applied to what is essentially a box on wheels. Look for Honda to fine-tune that approach on the 2010 Honda Odyssey. Sources suggest a more swept back look but one that sustains the outgoing model’s presence and planted-to-the-road form. The new lowered, tapered noise with its drooping grille and thinly sliced headlamps is previewed on Honda’s all-new 2009 Element hybrid hatchback. Indications are the 2010 Odyssey will sport a lower beltline than the 2005-2009 version, have nicely blistered fenders, and a roof designed to visually “float” over the body.

-Mechanical: Big news is the first diesel engine available in a Honda sold in the U.S. Forget notions of a rattling, smoking truck engine. This one will use Honda’s latest clean-diesel technology to provide smoothness and exhaust emissions that rival a gasoline engine, but with more torque (the thrust you experience when you hit the gas) and better fuel economy. Sources say the diesel in the 2010 Odyssey will be a 3.5-liter V-6 that’s 30 percent more fuel-efficient than an equivalent gas engine, meaning ratings something like 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway. The gas-engine alternative is likely to be the same 250-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 introduced in Honda’s redesigned 2009 Pilot SUV. It’s a fine engine that saves gas by automatically cutting back to four or three cylinders in low-demand situations. Expect the 2010 Honda Odyssey to continue with front-wheel drive and not offer all-wheel drive.

-Features: Odyssey helped pioneer the space-efficient setup in which the third-row seat folds fully into the rear floor, but Honda has resisted any similar system for the second-row seats. Second-row stowage is a high point of the Chrysler and Dodge minivans and is one opportunity open to the 2010 Odyssey. Same goes for the trend toward second-row seats that swivel to form a table-and-chairs arrangement. Otherwise, Odyssey is already available with a plethora of DVD and audio entertainment, voice-activated navigation, Bluetooth communications, and power convenience features. On-board wi-fi would be an opportunity, as would USB connectivity for iPods and other digital media. Better yet, the 2010 Honda Odyssey could simplify the complicated dashboard-control layout that’s one of the few knocks against the current-generation Odyssey.

2010 Honda Odyssey Release Date
-Look for the 2010 Honda Odyssey in showrooms by autumn 2009.

Source w/various info;
http://iguida.com/2010-honda-odyssey

2010 Honda Odyssey Redesign Information

Well with all this talk of the Japanese Odyssey van being redesigned, I thought I'd put together a little piece on what us North American's can expect in the redesign here.

First off, Honda has raised the bar so high with the current model that aside from a potential Diesel engine, I dont' know how they are going to 'improve' on the van.

Here is what we can expect;

-a full model change for 2010 (I wouldn't be too surprised if Honda held off for one more year)

-"low-emission diesel V6 engine specifically designed for the U.S. market for the 2010 model year."

-as far as the potential diesel engine goes Forget notions of a rattling, smoking truck engine. This one will use Honda’s latest clean-diesel technology to provide smoothness and exhaust emissions that rival a gasoline engine, but with more torque (the thrust you experience when you hit the gas) and better fuel economy.

-the 3.5-liter diesel V-6 should be 30 percent more fuel-efficient than the equivalent gas engine.

-an updated version of the 3.5L gasoline engine will be sold along side the prospective diesel.

-updated interior, don't expect the 2nd row to fold into the floor, althought they will probably tumble closer to the front seats.

-expect the 2010 Honda Odyssey to continue with front-wheel drive and not offer all-wheel drive.

That's all I have for now.