Honda Elysion

This MPV was first seen as a concept car called Honda ASM at Tokyo Motor Show in late 2003 and finally made into a production half a year later with some cosmetic adjustments to its headlight, front grill and interior to make it more commercially friendly. Officially launched in mid-2004 for Japan domestic market.[1]

At 4840 mm, the length is identical as the 3.0L second-generation Odyssey RA6 or about 1 cm longer than current Camry. The 1830mm width is about 3 cm wider than the RA6 or about 2 cm wider than Camry. The different is on the clever space management making 70% of total space available as cabin plus the height of 1790mm, which is an extra of 18 cm from RA6 or about 24 cm more than the current odyssey.

The combination of a new 30% stronger high-rigidity steel, the Honda G-Con technology and the unique double platform with low central gravity floor, first seen on Merc A-class, makes Elysion (one box car) to achieve the highest 6 stars rating by Nasva and become one of the safest Japanese passenger car production ever, even higher than the competitor's luxury three-box (hood-cabin-boot) sedans.

The high-rigidity body also benefited to the overall comfort as the car handles any rough roads with poise, free of squeaks found in many older Hondas

The top-of-the-line VZ model is equipped with an IHCC (intelligent highway cruise control) and CMS (collision mitigation sensor) that works with radio-wave radar installed in the front grill to warn driver if he or she get too close with the car ahead and the seatbelt automatically tightening and brake ready, similar to the pre-cash system in the S-class. The radar can be double as night vision (a similar concept to the infra red night vision introduced in BMW) as it gives picture in a form of graphic of objects ahead displayed on its built in 8 inch navigation system at the dash.

Other safety equipment includes ABS (anti-lock brake), VSA (vehicle stability), TCS, sideslip, and AFS (adaptive front lighting) on its projector HID Xenon headlight.

At launch, two choices of engines are available. The 2.4L i-VTEC K24A that is used in the current Odyssey produces about 160 horses and 22.2 kg-m of torque. With virtually the same specs and gear ratios, it behaves and drives very similar to the current Odyssey and sips about 10,2 km/l in 10–15 Japan standard test (3 times variable city driving stop and go and 1 time highway driving with 120 kg extra weight of two passengers and without a/c).[2]

The compression ratio of 9.7 couples with an anti-knocking sensor and intelligent timing control makes it easy to take RON 95 grade. A similar 2.4L engine but with different overhead and higher compression ratio of 11.0 that produces 200hhp that is used in Honda JDM Odyssey Absolute is not yet available at this time for Elysion.

The other is an all new 3.0L V6 i-VTEC J30A with the VCM (variable cylinder management), shutting-off 3 cylinders on one bank of the V6 when reduced power is needed such as during cruising or driving down hill. The only tell-tale sign that the engine is running on 3 cylinders is when the ECO green light at the panels light up.

All Elysions are equipped with ventilated 4-disk brakes with ABS and EBD.

There are 6 different trim and grades plus 2 special AERO HDD editions. Three grade of 2.4L front-wheel-drive models are available, namely M, G and X. There are also three 3.0L front-wheel-drive models, VG, VX and VZ. Four-wheel-drive is optional on all models.[3]

Honda announced to introduce the Elysion to the Chinese market in 2012.[4] The Elysion was launched on June 7, 2012. The vehicle comes with a 2.4L i-VTEC K24Z5 engine, 5-speed auto transmission and is assembled locally by Honda's Chinese joint-venture Dongfeng Honda. It is positioned as a corporate people-mover.[5]

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  Elysion front view
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  Elysion rear view
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  Elysion interior
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  Instrument gauges
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  Honda Elysion Prestige
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  Honda Elysion Prestige rear
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  Honda Elysion (Chinese market)
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  Honda Elysion rear (Chinese market)