HONDA INGENUITY MAKES THE 1999 ODYSSEY
THE NEW STANDARD IN THE MINIVAN CLASS

TORRANCE, Calif. - Take Honda's renowned reputation for quality, put it in a full-size
minivan with the largest V-6 engine in its class, add innovative features like dual power sliding doors and a retracting "magic" third seat, and you've got the all-new 1999 Honda Odyssey. The largest Honda ever made, it's packed with safety, comfort and versatility, establishing a new standard for the category.

The new Odyssey is the first minivan to offer head restraints and three-point seat belts at all seven seating positions, the only minivan with a fold-down third seat and it's the minivan with the widest front and rear track in its class. The new Odyssey has the most powerful engine in the minivan category, an all-new, 3.5-liter, 210-horsepower (premium fuel) V-6, which is mated to a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission. Anti-lock brakes, dual sliding doors, a convertible second row seat and large 16-inch wheels are standard on the 1999 Odyssey.

The Odyssey will carry seven passengers in comfort and safety while also functioning as a highly flexible and spacious cargo hauler. The second row seat in the Odyssey converts easily from bucket to bench seats, and can be folded or removed completely to increase cargo capacity.

The "magic" third row seat folds down to create a flat floor wide enough to lay 4' x 8' sheets of building material. In the upright position, items such as skis or lumber slide underneath the seat for storage. In addition, a large well behind the third-row seat provides a convenient place to securely store items such as shopping bags, boxes or athletic equipment.

Individual climate and lighting controls are provided throughout the passenger cabin. Each passenger can adjust their own heat and air conditioning with roof mounted rear controls, and bright, easy-to-use personal lamps above the second and third row seats allow a passenger to read comfortably without disturbing other passengers or the driver's visibility.

The Odyssey is available in two trim levels. Dual sliding rear doors are standard on the LX, while the EX is equipped with dual power sliding doors. For safety, the power doors will reverse direction if they encounter resistance while closing.

The EX is also equipped with an eight-way power driver's seat adjustment; AM/FM stereo with CD player and six speakers; steering wheel mounted audio controls; auto-off headlights; remote entry; automatic climate control; rear cargo net; roof rails; alloy wheels and body-colored door handles, side moldings and mirrors. Honda's HomeLinks remote system, which is programmable to operate garage doors, home security systems or even house lights, is also available.

Honda engineers designed the Odyssey to be large and roomy inside as well as easy to maneuver and park. The new Odyssey is 13.6 inches longer and 5.0 inches wider than the previous generation yet retains the same tight turning diameter of 37.7 feet. With an overall length of more than 200 inches and a height in excess of 68 inches, the Odyssey rivals the Dodge Grand Caravan in size, while its lower floor height provides up to an inch and a half more headroom.

The Odyssey is also a capable tow vehicle with a standard towing capacity of 2000 pounds, or up to 3500 pounds with an accessory towing package.

Anti-lock brakes (ABS) are standard on the 1999 Odyssey. The Odyssey EX is equipped with an electronic Traction Control System (TCS), which provides improved adhesion and stability on slippery surfaces, such as rain or snow. Dual air bags, three-point safety belts for all seven seating positions and Immobilizer theft-deterrent system are standard, while a keyless entry system is available on the EX.

The Odyssey is assembled on a new line at Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. Just like its predecessor, which was the top-rated minivan in the 1998 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey (IQS2) and recorded the best ever Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) score, the new Odyssey is built to meet the company's exacting standards for quality, dependability and superior fit and finish.

With Honda's quality heritage and the Odyssey's larger size, increased performance and innovative design, it is destined to become the new benchmark in the minivan segment.