Spy Photos: 2011 Honda Odyssey Caught Night Testing in Death Valley

They still sell lots of them especially here in Canada. From what I've seen on the road, I would say they outnumber the Pilot 10 to 1.

"seems funny to go through all this effort for a minivan."

King, I would say most if not all vehicles from every manufacturer go trough similar testing.

As the owner of a 2005 Odyssey Touring, I can say the Odyssey is a well rounded vehicle. Sure,the Chrysler T&C may have more features for similar money but that difference shows up in the Chrysler's severe lack of material/build quality. That said, Im sure the wife will be in line for the 2011 Odyssey.

I think he meant the camouflage, not the actual testing.
It does look huge in those pictures though.

I feel as thought liking minivans is a sick obsession, like BBW's. I shouldnt like them, but I JUST CANT STOPPPPPPP...ahhah

I was talking about the camouflage.

Obviously these vehicles must be tested.

that said, if you look at the front real good, it looks like its gonna be very....accord. not a bad thing, but an old feeling thing...im making this assumption based on an ad insideline has right next to these pic's...the one that said "What r the editors driving today" and its an accord...anyway looking at the two side by side, it seems like they r just adopting this look across the line...i hope not, cause the Odyssey looks cool on its own, like its its own entity, i dont think id like to see that front on anything but the accord...coupe....and im PRAYING this has 0 simiarities to the civic...just rubs me an odd way..not ugly...but not hot

I hope those Rims are a Option...

I hope it's got TV and swiveling seats

It's almost impossible to see what's actually behind all that tape

Looks like a combination of pedestrian safety padding and the ultimate in door ding protection - ala Pep Boys.

It's possible that if Honda went through all that effort to conceal it, then there might be something new in store for the Odyssey

Where's my turbo diesel odyssey?

Man I second a 2.5-liter turbo diesel Odyssey.

I'll 3rd the diesel. The family room of the Odyssey with the mpg of the Fit.

Perfect.

See Honda? Don't listen to the hype about how Americans aren't ready for diesel -- I'm ready for one now!

HFP Part's perhaps?

Hopefully Honda will improve the handling. The only handling mode the Ody has is medium to massive understeer. It would be nice if the new 6 speed auto doesn't fail also.

Hopefully Honda will improve the handling. The only handling mode the Ody has is understeer and more understeer. While they are at it would be nice if the 6 speed auto doesn't fail also.

I think it's got the best handling of any minivan.

"Hopefully Honda will improve the handling. The only handling mode the Ody has is medium to massive understeer. It would be nice if the new 6 speed auto doesn't fail also."

Jmess, its a minivan not an S2000. That said, the Odyssey is one of if not the most athletic (for a minivan) van available.

In case you didn't know the old unreliable 3 SHAFT 5ATs were cured years ago. Honda added additional oil jets and some other upgrades in a running change that started in 2002-03 or so depending on application. The 2005 Odyssey has that transmission (as well as all other applications) and we own a 2005 Odyssey Touring that has seen more than its share of use. No transmission issues after 70K, not even a hint.

In mid-late 2005, the 2006 Ridgeline debuted with the internally strengthened 4 SHAFT 5AT that hasn't had any reliability or durability issues to date. That 4 shaft eventually made it to all Honda/Acura applications; Accord V6, Pilot, Odyssey, TL, RL, TSX V6, RDX and MDX.

Of course we all know Honda err..Acura .....F I N A L L Y... developed a 6AT transmission that should be as trouble free as the 4 shaft 5AT. The 6AT should eventually make it around to all the applications I listed above for increased performance, response and fuel efficiency. The 2010 MDX is the first 6AT application and will be followed by the all new (puke) 6AT ZDX crossovercoupethingy.

Best minivan on the market, and one of the best vehicles overall out there....period. We'll never give ours up. We've had other vehicle types (SUVs, CUVs) - but the Odyssey is far and away the best option for a family. Looking forward to what else besides 6-speed auto they put in this thing.

"seems funny to go through all this effort for a minivan."

The reality is, though, like it or not the minivan is still the most efficiently package people mover ever concieved and built. All lack of desirability aside.

With very little work Honda could dial out some of the annoying under steer. The stability control would still be there to help the driving skill challenged folks.

"With very little work Honda could dial out some of the annoying under steer. The stability control would still be there to help the driving skill challenged folks."

Although the Odyssey has proven to offer the most athletic driving experience for a minvan, the level of handling performance youre asking for is unwanted by the majority of this segment.

Is it me, or does the front end behind the camo resemble the Nissan Forum concept?

http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/nissan_forum_concept_press_image003.jpg

May that be a 5500lb trailer with solid diesel motor under the hood, I dont want to have to abandon the odyssey when I updgrade to a 22ft boat.

If you compare the above pic with the JDM version, it actually looks almost the same. The headlights are definitely getting redone, gone is the triangular shape. I think the front end is getting the FCX/Insight treatment as the JDM version has. (Awesome in my opinion)

The taillights actually do stick out like the JDM version, and does resemble it in a way. Does this mean we're finally getting the JDM version of the Odyssey in the states?! I'm not sure, it just does look a heck of a lot like its JDM cousin. And I don't see why Honda hadn't thought of it sooner!

Heres hoping to JDM styling for the 2011 Odyssey! (But there's still plenty of time from now until to next year. Things could change. And new spy-photos!)

Too bad the rear suspension seems incapable of handling all that trailer tongue weight. OK, we might be seeing cooling system engineers testing the system at some theoretical maximum. But you wouldn't conduct those tests at night, because the ambient temperature isn't hot enough to tax the cooling system.

Chrysler long-wheelbase minivans used Nivomat self-levelling rear shocks in the 90's, as did Volvo wagons and many others. It's too bad this new Odyssey doesn't appear to employ a similar system. Rear suspension sag and pitch is the worst aspect of my 2003 Odyssey. The current generation is better, but not great when a trailer is attached. And if you're going to carry 7 people and advertise a 3,500 lb or so tow rating, you've got to do better than this.

The Odyssey is the best handling minivan ever.. our 2006 car always seems like its ready to run... even more than the Pilot.. hope the 2011 can stay the same!

crappy transmission

my first odyssey 2@ gen, transmission lasted 150k
my 2@ odyssey 3@ gen, transmission lasted 110k
my 2@ odyssey 4@ gen, transmission was replaced with 65k

crappy transmission,
next one will try the sienna

why did it take so long for honda to build a 6 speed auto?