2001 Honda Odyssey -- Body

BODY FEATURES

Listed below are the major features of the Honda Odyssey body:

• Dual sliding doors (power on EX models)
• Power rear quarter-windows
• Seven-passenger seating
• Rigid body design for excellent torsional and bending rigidity, providing a stable, smooth-riding suspension platform
• Reinforced body structure, frame and interior
• Extensive use of sound insulation and vibration-reducing body and chassis engineering minimizes NVH (noise, vibration and harshness)

DUAL POWER SLIDING DOORS
Honda Odyssey EX models are equipped with dual power sliding rear doors. The doors can be opened from the outside, when the handle is pulled, or by the master switch on the instrument panel. A lockout switch, on the instrument panel, disables the door's operation.The doors can also be operated with the remote entry system. This allows the doors to be opened or closed from a distance of up to 30 feet, a handy feature if the driver is carrying parcels or there are people waiting Remote to get into the Odyssey.

Several safety features have been built into the Odyssey's power door system. If the door should encounter any resistance while closing, it will immediately reverse direction and open. The power opening feature is also disabled when the Odyssey is in motion. When the fuel filler door is open, the left-side door will not open. In the event of a power failure, the doors can be opened manually. And if the driver puts the vehicle into gear with the door open, a warning chime will sound.

HIGHLY RIGID BODY AND FRAME ENHANCES PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY
The Odyssey body contributes to the vehicle's enhanced dynamic performance and safety. The Odyssey uses a unitized body built on a large cross-section frame, tied together with seven underfloor crossmembers. There is extensive reinforcement at frame and body junctions and additional bracing inside body pillars. The resulting unit-body-on-frame design gives the Odyssey a high degree of protection from impacts from any direction, including full-frontal and offset-frontal impacts, side impacts, rear impacts and rollover.

The size and extensive reinforcement of the Odyssey body and frame also yield benefits in ride, handling and NVH control. Despite its increased size, the new Odyssey's frame has twice the resistance to bending forces as the first generation model, while torsional resistance is 1.5 times better than the previous Odyssey and even the current Accord.

In order to maximize cargo space, Honda engineers came up with the unique solution of puffing the spare tire into a separate compartment under the floor, just behind the front seats in previously unused space, rather than in the cargo area. In addition, the Odyssey uses a highly space-efficient double wishbone rear suspension that gives it a flat-floor cargo area.

The front end forms a rigid box consisting of a large cross-section upper main frame and lower subframe that are connected at the front end by a cross-piece and at the firewall. The main frame and subframe are designed to feed full-frontal and offset-frontal impact loads back into the main frame and side sill (outboard frame) members under the floor. The junction of these frame members at the base of the A-pillar has been boxed in with additional sheet metal, to form a strong "torque box," which is better able to distribute impact forces between each underfloor frame member. In addition, the door pillars have been rein-forced, in order to better absorb offset- and side-impact energy.

The large cross-section side sills that make up the outboard frame mem-bers run the length of the Odyssey and are completely boxed in order to better absorb side-impact energy. In addition, the short cross-pieces that tie the outboard frame to the main longitudinal frame, called outriggers, have been boxed in with additional steel plates at their junction with the outboard and inboard frame members. These crossing-joint structures help control frame deformation in a side impact and carry the impact energy to the main-frame structural members under the floor. Side-impact beams are also incorporated into all the doors of the Odyssey.

4-RING SHELL
The Odyssey body is further rein-forced by what Honda calls a 4-ring shell. Consisting of a series of hoops formed by the underfloor crossmem-bers, the A-, B-, C- and D-pillars, and the crossmembers in the ceiling, the 4-ring shell completely encircles the passenger compartment at its front, two places on the side and at the rear, and provides protection in the event of a side impact or rollover.

Further reinforcement against side impact is provided by the A-, B-, C-and D-pillars. These pillars feature internal plates that greatly strengthen them against buckling.

To better protect the Odyssey against rear impact, the main-frame members extend all the way to the rear of the body and are tied together with a crossmember under the floor. In addition, the rear pillar is internally reinforced and large outrigger pieces further tie the base of the rear pillar to the floor.

ADVANCED SOUND AND VIBRATION CONTROL PROVIDE A QUIET INTERIOR
Honda engineers designed the body and interior of the Odyssey to be quieter than other minivans in its class. In fact, the Odyssey interior is as quiet as the current Accord series. The V-6 engine, large-capacity exhaust system and advanced engine-mounting system keep engine noise and vibration to a mini-mum. In addition, the Odyssey bene-fits from the highly rigid body struc-ture and the use of advanced sound absorption and insulation materials. These include a new type of asphalt felt material used in the wheelwells, cargo area and firewall, asphalt sheeting throughout the floor, an additional dashboard insulator foam in all pillars.

The exhaust system uses a short flexible tube between the exhaust manifold and catalyst, which is designed to isolate vibration from the rest of the system. The tube leads to the catalyst, then to a pre-chamber and large-capacity main silencer (the main silencer has 50% more volume compared to the first generation Odyssey). The result is a higher-flowing, more efficient system with about 5 dB less exhaust noise than the first generation Odyssey.

INTERIOR LAYOUT AND DESIGN
The Honda Odyssey is designed to carry seven passengers in safety and comfort and also function as a highly versatile cargo hauler. The interior features a two-tone color scheme with the darker shade extending down from the window line and a lighter gray lending a light, airy feeling to the upper part of the cabin. The seats, armrests and door inserts are upholstered in a durable fabric, while the lower part of the front doors, sides of the interior, cargo area and instrument panel are done in scuff-resistant plastic. The plastic used is 93% polypropylene, which is easier to recycle than vinyl.

Ample glass area is provided for the driver and passengers. There is a total of 283 degrees of outward visibility from the driver's position.

INSTRUMENT PANEL AND CONTROL LAYOUT
The instrument panel is sloped so that both primary and secondary controls are within easy reach. Instruments and gauges are housed in a pod directly in front of the driver and include a tachometer, a large, easy-to-read speedometer with two LCD (liquid-crystal display) digital trip odometers and a main LCD digital odometer. The fuel gauge, temperature gauge and shift-position indicator are to the right of the speed-ometer. Various indicator lights for SRS, ABS. oil pressure, battery, etc., are also housed in the main instrument pod.

CPU-controlled functions such as the various warning systems, illumination intensity, intermittent wipers, power windows, etc., are divided among three separate CPUs. Communication between the CPU is via a multiplex data bus. This takes considerably less wiring and is quicker and easier to install and service.

The driver's side SRS module is housed in the steering wheel. The SRS module uses a silicone-coated bag and a non-azide-type propellant. The horn button is a full membrane type, so the entire center section of the hub functions as the horn button. Cruise control, as well as audio controls on EX models, is also mounted on the steering wheel. The windshield wiper controls and lighting controls are also mounted on stalks on either side of the steering wheel, in typical Honda fashion.

On/off buttons for the cruise control and traction-control system are mounted on the instrument panel, just to the left of the steering wheel, as are controls for the power mirrors and dual sliding doors. Power window and lock controls are mounted on the driver's door.

The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls are mounted high in the center console, for easy accessibility and feature large rotary knobs and electrically operated switches. Air conditioning and a micron air-filtration system are standard. EX models feature an automatic climate-control system that will maintain a constant, pre-selected temperature.

Controls for the AM/FM stereo cassette (a CD player is standard on EX models) are located just below the HVAC controls, along with the interior lighting switch.

SLIDING SUN VISOR EXTENSION
A sliding extension is incorporated into each sun visor on all models. When the sun visor is used to shield the driver and passenger from glare coming in the side windows, the sliding visor can be extended to block an approximately 4-inch-long area not covered by the main visor.

NUMEROUS STORAGE BINS AND POCKETS PROVIDE ADDED CONVENIENCE
Numerous storage pockets and bins are located throughout the Odyssey. A large DIN-type pocket; located just below the AM/FM stereo, can accept additional audio equipment. A pull-out combination beverage holder and change sorter is located below the DIN pocket. Typical of the attention to detail Honda designers have put into the Odyssey interior are the rubber pads, built into the change sorter, to prevent coins stored there from rattling.

A 177-cu.-in. pull-out storage bin is located just under the beverage holder, and the passenger side of the instrument panel has a large 366-cu.-in. glove compartment. Storage pockets are built into the driver's and front passenger's door liner and elastic storage pockets are built into the rear of the front passenger's seatback on LX models and both the driver's and front passenger's seatbacks on EX models.

The third-row seat has two beverage holders built into the right-side armrest, while a beverage holder and storage bin with a hinged lid are incorporated into the left-side armrest.

RETRACTABLE CENTER TRAY TABLE
A retractable tray table located between the front seats allows easy access to the rear of the Odyssey, when folded down. When the tray is in place it provides four beverage holders: two for the front-seat passengers and two for the second-row passengers. The tray has a textured, non-skid surface and a sliding e'ctension that moves the second-row beverage holders closer to the seats.

COMBINATION OVERHEAD MAP LIGHT AND SUNGLASS STORAGE
All Odyssey models feature a convenient push-to-open sunglass storage that is incorporated into the headliner. The same module houses the map lights and their switches.

HOMELINK® REMOTE SYSTEM
The Odyssey EX features a HomeLink® universal remote system, built into the overhead map-light module. The system can be programmed with the codes of up to three devices, such as a garage-door opener, home security system, etc.

INTERIOR SEATING OFFERS INDIVIDUAL COMFORT AND VERSATILITY
All the seats in the Odyssey are large and comfortable. They have also been designed and contoured to minimize fatigue and support good posture. The first-row seats are more than 21 inches wide. The second-row bucket seats are more than 22 inches wide and the third-row bench-type seat is 47 inches wide.

The first- and second-row seats are adjustable for seatback angle, and EX model second-row seats are also adjustable for legroom. The driver's seat on Odyssey EX models features an 8-way power adjustment. Both front seats include a fold-down armrest.

The second-row bucket seats are large and comfortable and feature left- and right-side fold-down armrests. The seats have a unique feature that allows them to be quickly and easily converted into a two-passenger bench seat merely by releasing a latch at the bottom front right of the right-side seat, tilting it forward, sliding it along a rail until it is next to the left seat, then lowering the back into its catch.

A driver's and a front passenger's assist handle, as well as large passenger-assist handles built into the back of the front seatbacks, help make entry and exit easier.

INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE REAR-CABIN AIR-CONDITIONING VENTS
The Odyssey's front and rear air-conditioning system provides a separate three-speed blower control located in the passenger-compartment ceiling, along with a selector for overhead air conditioning or foot-level heated air. Second-row and third-row outboard seating positions feature individually adjustable air-conditioning vents in the ceiling, much like those in commercial-air-craft passenger cabins. The vents can be adjusted for direction, or shut off completely.

INDIVIDUAL MAP LIGHTS
The individual map lights in the Odyssey are designed to illuminate an area large enough and bright enough so that a seated passenger can read by it. As the light continues to the floor, the beams overlap so that they illuminate the entire floor area, making it easier to see when getting in and out of the vehicle. The lights can also be controlled by a master switch, located on the center console. With it, the driver can switch the system on or off, or have it come on automatically when the doors are opened. The driver can also switch off the lights of an individual napping passenger.

HIGH-EFFICIENCY FRONT AND REAR AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING
In addition to individual air-conditioning vents and passenger-compartment blower and temperature controls, the Odyssey air-conditioning system also uses two air-conditioning condensers and two heater cores: One set serves the front of the interior and one set serves the rear passenger area. The high-capacity condenser for the air-conditioning system has an integral receiver tank that first runs the liquid refrigerant through a sub-cooling condenser, then to the main condenser. In addition to reducing the weight of the system, the new condenser design is 12% more efficient than previous designs.

The Odyssey heater cores are also of a new design that is both lighter and more efficient. The aluminum heat-exchanging tubing used in the core has a flatter cross-section, so it exposes more area to the airstream. The overall effect is a 15% improvement in airflow through the core.

Both the front and the rear systems can be controlled from the driver's HVAC panel, or the driver can switch control of the rear system to the panel in the passenger compartment.

MICRON AIR-FILTRATION SYSTEM
The air-conditioning system of the 1999 Odyssey features a micron air-filtration system capable of filtering virtually 100% of particulate matter eight microns or larger (the size of most pollen) and approximately 40% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size (around the size of diesel emissions). Replacement periods for the filter unit should average about two years or 30,000 miles in normal use.

INTERIOR CAN BE QUICKLY ADAPTED TO VARYING CARGO LOADS
When designing the interior of the Odyssey for utility and cargo hauling, Honda engineers drew on their extensive experience in building versatile interior features. As a result, the Odyssey offers a variety of passenger and cargo configurations.

The second-row seats are easily removed when additional cargo space is needed. Both the second-row and third-row seatbacks can also be folded flat, allowing large flat items, such as 4'x8' plywood, to be carried without removing the seats. There is also sufficient room under the seats to carry long items, such as 2"x 4" lumber.

RETRACTABLE THIRD-ROW "MAGIC" SEAT
The third-row seat can be quickly and easily folded and stowed in its well, in much the same manner as the first-generation Honda Odyssey, leaving a large, flat-floored cargo area. Even the hinge mechanism for the seat is designed to lie flat, thereby making it easier to stack items like plywood panels.

There is 19.3 cu. ft. of cargo area behind the third-row seat. The large, deep well that houses the seat, when stowed, also functions as a convenient place to securely store items such as shopping bags, boxes or athletic equipment. A covered storage area built into the left side of the cargo compartment holds the jack, and a removable net, on the same side, will secure the third-row-seat head restraints when the seat is folded. An additional cargo net is also provided on EX models.