The Honda line-up in this country I find
somewhat confusing. Not only does Honda have small cars such
as the City, but they also sell the Jazz, which to me would
take away market-share from the sedan, but then I suppose Mr.
Honda would undoubtedly have done his sums.
Then there are three Hondas that all appear
to be in the same market, the Stream, the Odyssey and the
Elysion. These are all large van-style people movers, from my
point of view, and they have similar sized engines, ranging
from 2 litres to 2.4. They range in price here from 1.2
million baht (Stream) to 2.5 million (Odyssey) through to 3.2
million for the Elysion. So they are offering people movers to
cover all tastes (and pockets) it seems.
Honda
Odyssey
John Weinthal, our man Down-under has been
evaluating the top of the line Odyssey and feels that this
latest incarnation of the Odyssey is sure to breed copycats.
Here are the Words from Weinthal.
“Occasionally a vehicle comes along which
virtually creates a new class of car – ground-breakers like
the original Range Rover, Mini, VW Golf GTi, Toyota’s RAV-4
and Tarago and, arguably, even the Mazda RX8. When such cars
are successful, others are sure to follow.
“If
that be so, then we can expect more along the lines of the
latest Honda Odyssey. Superficially it will be classified as a
people mover. For sure it is a seven seater of roughly medium
sedan length, just like Tarago, the class dominating Kia
Carnival and, indeed, the original Odyssey.
“But it is in fact very different in that
it rides much lower than conventional people movers; a design
distinction we will return to later. At times I saw it as a
bootless stretch limo, maybe a seven seat hatchback or even a
stylish ground-hugging station wagon. Whatever, this is one
very appealing way of carrying seven people in real comfort,
with genuine car-like ride, handling, hush and comfort levels.
But please ignore the nonsense about it being sporting. It is
no more, nor less sporting, than say a Camry.
“The
Odyssey was widely admired as a smart car with far more
aesthetic appeal than the utilitarian form of most people
movers. It is powered by an advanced 2.4 litre, 4-cylinder,
118kW engine. This drives the front wheels through a 5-speed
auto transmission which has a fascia-mounted shifter and
prompt response selectronic manual over-ride function.
“The well equipped base Odyssey costs AUD
38,790. There is also an AUD 45,290 Odyssey Luxury. Both
constitute excellent value but, for once, we would be tempted
to pay the extra for the Luxury model which we reviewed.
“Both have front and rear air con with
two sets of controls and individual vents to all three rows of
seats, front and front side air bags and anti-lock ABS brakes
with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, power
windows front and back and heated mirrors. They have remote
locking, an engine immobiliser, fold-down centre console
table, and flat folding second and third row seats allowing a
multitude of seating or load carrying options.
“As well as its sleek external styling,
Odyssey features a futuristic cockpit dash design with blue on
black instrument backlighting and red needles as well as
titanium and woodgrain look finishes. The supplementary audio
and cruise control buttons are steering wheel-mounted. Odyssey
has eight cup holders, adjustable centre front armrests,
driver and passenger vanity mirrors, a sunglasses holder and
expandable map pockets in the passenger doors.
“Odyssey Luxury adds an 8-way power
adjustable driver’s seat, two-stage heated front seats,
sunroof, leather seats and door trims, six-CD stacker, auto
headlights and 16 inch alloy wheels. It has curtain airbags
covering all three rows of seating, power retraction for the
third row of seats, a leather-bound steering wheel with
woodgrain-look trim, illuminated vanity mirrors and lidded 2nd
row passenger door pockets. “That is an appealing and
comprehensive equipment list for any vehicle, much less a
car-like seven-seater costing well under AUD 50,000, so will
it be to everybody’s taste? Some will miss the high driving
position of most people movers and four-wheel-drives which
gives a better view over traffic. Most people would also
prefer a conventional handbrake to the American-style
foot-operated parking brake, even though this is also favoured
by Mercedes and Lexus among others.
“The upside of the Odyssey’s low centre
of gravity is superior handling and ride. It also contributes,
along with the ski-slope nose and other not-so-evident
aerodynamic features, to the outstanding fuel economy of
around 9.2 litres per 100km which we achieved. At this rate
one might expect an easy 700 km between refills of the 65
litre fuel tank.
“The versatility of the seating is a
major bonus when mixing passenger and load carrying needs.
This Odyssey may be only a minor ground-breaker but it is sure
to attract its share of copycats. It represents a socially
acceptable alternative to expensive-to-run and poorer handing
and riding seven-seat four-wheel-drives and conventional
people movers.
“Were we impressed? Too right we were.”
(Thank you John. As is often the case,
there are differences between similar models in different
countries. The Odyssey on sale here has a 4 speed auto and 2.2
litres, and through taxes and duties costs much more than the
1.5 million equivalent in the baht to the Aussie dollar. Dr.
Iain.)
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The ‘real’
answer to the expensive petrol problem?
I was very disappointed that there was no
charity bike ride this year. The official reason was that the
roads are currently in such a state of disrepair that it was
considered too dangerous – but I know the real reason. They
were afraid of my electro-bike! For the past three years I
have been seen whizzing along with the best of them, getting
my exercise, but without having to rely totally on pedal
power. From my point of view, struggling along with a standard
bicycle is like sending messages carved on large pieces of
stone. Why would you bother, when you can use the electronic
email? Likewise, with electro-bikes being so inexpensive too,
why would you bother with yesterday’s technology?
This line of reasoning led me to think
about the current petrol price problem. Forget about gasohol
and shutting the servo’s at 10 p.m. or other such knee-jerk
reactions. Why be beholden to crude oil price per barrel, the
Middle East, Venezuela, Texas and George Bush (in no
particular order)? There is an alternative already here.
Electric transportation!
Now I am not suggesting that we immediately
trade in our gas-guzzlers for golf buggies, but imagine the
scenario where we replace our petrol (or diesel) commuter cars
with electric bicycles? In one fell swoop we have cured the
traffic jam problem, the fuel crisis and air pollution! Now
that has to be worth thinking about, surely?
I had a chat with Paul Markham, the MD of
the Ecobrand electric bicycles, and with electric bicycles now
available from under B. 10,000, and just about zero operating
costs (3 baht for 100 kays, according to Paul), why would you
bother about any other type of transport for local commuting?
Definitely worth looking at are the Ecobrand electric
scooters, complete with lockable luggage boxes on them. You
will get good quality ones for around B. 18,000.
If you would like to find out more about
these, you can contact Paul Markham at Eco-brand Exim
International, email [email protected], or telephone 02 903
3037, or direct to his mobile on 01 552 3966.
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What did we learn
from the Italian Grand Prix?
Well, first off we learned that you can
never write off Ferrari. With a gamble on Barichello’s
tyres turning sour within five laps, and Michael
Schumacher spinning on the first lap and being demoted to
15 th, the red
cars still came home 1-2, with this time Rooby Baby in the
lead car. Of course there were no ‘team orders’ but
Rubens did say in the post-race press conference when
asked whether Michael was a threat towards the end,
“Well at that stage the team told both us, I think, to
conserve the engines just a little bit because we had to
push very hard in the middle of the race so at that stage
I felt quite comfortable to be honest.” The fact that
maximum points for Rubens assists Ferrari in getting him
to an unassailable second place, has I am sure, never
crossed Jean Todt’s mind! (All please raise your
umbrellas now, as there is a flock of pigs expected
overhead any time soon!)
 One
has also to wonder about the tarnished hero from the UK,
Jenson Button. Desperately trying to free himself from
BAR, a team that has got him on the podium (and within a
sneeze of the top step at Monza), to go to a team that has
consistently under-performed all this year. The fact that
both Montoya and Schumacher the younger are jumping ship
from Williams would have to make you think twice about
this move. However, from Mark Webber’s point of view,
the move from Jaguar (to almost anywhere other than
Minardi or Jordan), is a step forward.
We also learned that Michael Schumacher
can pass other drivers on the track, and not just in the
pits. He scythed his way through the pack with a total
domination that was very obvious. Young Button was very
easily put in his place, so the presumed and long awaited
“battle” was very short-lived.
The on-track battles enlivened this
race, and I believe should make the FIA sit up and take
notice. By making the cars run to the end on one thankful
of petrol would give us more on-track action. Blind
Freddie can see this. Why can’t the powers that be?
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Autotrivia Quiz
Last week, I mentioned that GTO was a
famous set of initials. The Pontiac GTO being a fine example.
However, the initials were first used by Ferrari, with their
GTO. I asked what did GTO stand for? The answer was Gran
Turismo Omologato. So there! (And Eric Servaes from Belgium
was first in with the correct answer. Well done, Eric!)
So to this week. A car was built in 1922
with independent suspension, a five cylinder radial air-cooled
engine and the spare wheel set into the side of the car, in
the place where you would expect the rear door. It was built
by O. D. North. What was the name of the car?
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be
the first correct answer to email automania @pattayamail.com
Good luck!
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