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Honda Odyssey Earns Second Double Five-Star Rating in Crash Tests

31 March 2000

Honda Odyssey Minivan Earns Second Double Five-Star Rating in Latest Government Crash Tests

    TORRANCE, Calif., March 30 Honda's Odyssey minivan has
earned the government's highest possible rating of five stars for all
occupants in recent side impact crash testing conducted by the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  In an earlier NHTSA test of
frontal crash performance, the Odyssey also earned Five-Star ratings for both
the driver and front-seat passenger.
    "World-class safety is a must for today's minivan customer, and the
Odyssey delivers," said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American
Honda Motor Co. Inc.  "Five-Star safety protection for all passengers was a
fundamental target during development."
    Both frontal and side impact tests were conducted as part of the NHTSA's
New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), in which vehicles are given a rating from
one to five stars in separate tests of frontal and side impact protection.
The Odyssey is the first minivan to earn the double Five-Star side impact
rating without the need for side airbags.
    A Five-Star rating in the 38.5 mph side impact test indicates a 5 percent
or less chance of serious injury.  Five-Star performance in the 35 mph frontal
crash test indicates a 10 percent or less chance of serious injury in a
frontal impact.  Detailed results of the tests can be viewed on the NHTSA web
page at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
    The heart of the Odyssey's cabin integrity is the "four-ring body shell."
The Odyssey's A-, B-, C- and D-pillars connect with ceiling and under-floor
cross-members.  The pillars themselves feature internal steel plates for added
strength.  This four-ring structure helps resist buckling and provides added
security in side and rear impacts.  Other Odyssey safety features include dual
front airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and three-point seatbelts and headrests
in all seven seating positions.  The Odyssey also meets federal standards for
head impact protection that take effect in calendar year 2002.
    The Honda Odyssey is a seven-passenger minivan with the most powerful
V6 engine in its class, best-in-class fuel economy and Low Emission Vehicle
certification.  It features an innovative "magic" third-row bench seat that
folds flat into the floor.  Other standard features include theatre-style
seating, sliding and removable second-row captain's chairs, and individual
lighting and ventilation controls.  The EX model has dual power sliding doors.
An optional DVD satellite-linked navigation system also is available, the
first available on a minivan.