What, a Hybrid Minivan?

The Toyota Motor Show offers a wide variety of offerings from many automakers, like hybrid, much like most motor shows.  Unfortunately there are so many over the top concepts that probably will never be more than a concept that at this show some items of importance get overlooked.  Among the futuristic looks, the massive amount of technology and the unreal designs sat a vehicle we are all intimately familiar with that simply did not garner a great deal of attention, but it certainly should have.

The vehicle I speak of is the Honda Odyssey minivan, which has been the leading and favorite for many years in the minivan segment and is considered to be the premium minivan.  Why did it not get much attention?  Maybe because it wasn’t redesigned, maybe because it didn’t have a light show to accompany it at the show, or may be because its simplicity in upgrade is so subtle it almost went unnoticed.  The new Honda Odyssey that made it to the Tokyo Motor Show is powered by a new hybrid drivetrain which you wouldn’t even notice unless you were looking for it.

This is the first time Honda has put a hybrid powertrain on the Odyssey and even though there are plenty of hybrid minivans prowling the streets of Japan, none are quite on par with this amazing creation.  The plan is to have a hybrid system that puts the IPU under the front seats to keep it from being in the way of any space that the van has to offer.  This concept, at least so far it’s a concept, is meant to be an updated dual motor Sport Hybrid i-MMD model that will make use of the battery as well as a gasoline powered engine.  With this system Odyssey drivers will be able to enjoy a great fuel mileage from their already favorite minivan.

Adding to the style and comfort of this minivan and continuing in the tradition of the Odyssey being the minivan that makes traveling more enjoyable than ever the vain features plush seats, a dark microfiber dash and forward area, excellent captain’s chairs and a variety of other creature comforts to be enjoyed.  Honda has stated the functionality of the Odyssey will not be hindered at all by having the new hybrid powertrain aboard which makes this a minivan that still brings home the bacon when needed.

Since it’s still a concept there are some items that need to be worked out yet, but the rumor is that this van will use fifty percent less fuel than the current model in an effort to be much more efficient.  Unfortunately, the current plan is not to bring this vehicle to the US even if it goes to production because it was built on a Japanese Odyssey platform, but that doesn’t mean it won’t eventually makes its way across the Pacific for us to enjoy and drive as well.  With Honda applying this technology to the Odyssey van you can see how hybrid powertrains are quickly taking over for efficiency and emissions that still give us the power and drive we need.