2011 Honda Odyssey Previewed At Chicago Auto Show

ANNOUNCED LATE last month, Honda has today unveiled its new Honda Odyssey Concept at this week's Chicago Auto Show.

While it is too early to know if the concept is a prelude to a new global Odyssey platform, Honda Australia's Mark Higgins told TMR today that its sportier lines bode well for a new design direction.

"The US-market Odyssey has been a very different model to the Japanese and Australian one, simply because of different needs in that market," Mr Higgins said.

"It's been a very successful model in the US, since its inception. Certainly the new concept features much sportier lines than the current model, so while it's too early to say if this is a new global replacement for both models, it does offer a look at a future design direction".

Perhaps a sign that this is not the next-generation Odyssey we'll see in Australia, Honda America's Vicki Poponi said this newest concept was designed and built entirely in the US.

"The Odyssey established its reputation by providing families with what they most want in a minivan – great functionality, an emphasis on safety and good fuel economy," Ms Poponi said.

"Odyssey then further delighted customers with its surprisingly engaging, fun-to-drive and dynamic nature. The next-generation Odyssey promises to take these strengths to a higher level while adding more style and personality."

Despite its official concept status, in an overall sense the Odyssey Concept appears to be all but ready for production. The interior was not available for view, however, so there is clearly still work to be done.

In fact, the production version is expected to arrive in US showrooms later this year, and while no technical specifics have been offered yet, the new model is rumoured to feature a more powerful i-VTEC V6 engine in its line-up.