New 2005 Honda Odyssey features cylinder de-activation

[5vz-fe]

The redesigned 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan is now available with a 3.5 litre V-6 engine that includes Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. The system deactivates three of the engine's six cylinders under certain conditions and provides improved fuel economy (City: 11.8 litres per 100 km/24 mpg Imperial/20 mpg U.S.; Highway 8.4 litres/100 km/34 mpg Imperial/28 mpg U.S.)



The VCM system switches the V-6 engine between 6- and 3-cylinder operation. When high output is required the engine uses all six cylinders. During cruising and low engine loads, the system can temporarily idle the rear bank of three cylinders for greater fuel economy. An Active Control Engine Mount System (ACM) and an Active Noise Control (ANC) system are used to eliminate the effects of engine vibration and noise inherent to any variable cylinder system, making the system's operation virtually transparent to the vehicle's occupants.

The Odyssey's standard V-6 engine, an improved 255 horsepower 3.5 litre V-6 (+15 horsepower) does not have variable cylinder management.



The 2005 Odyssey is slightly bigger than the previous model. Interior dimensions are 1-inch wider and two-inches longer than the 2004 model.

The new Odyssey offers a new stowable 2nd-Row 'PlusOne' seat positioned between the two captain's chairs, which provides for eight-passenger seating with the ability to be stored in the in-floor storage compartment between the first and second-row seats.

As well, a new 'One-Motion' 60/40 split 3rd-row seat provides a more flexible and easier-to-operate third row seat that folds flat into the floor in one motion without the need to remove the headrests.

All Odysseys come equipped with anti-lock brakes; Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control; front side airbags with an Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); side curtain airbag protection (with rollover sensor) for all three rows; and dual-stage, dual-threshold driver's and front passenger's airbags. In addition, the Odyssey is the only minivan to come equipped with side impact sensors for all three rows and the only minivan to offer a rollover sensor that deploys the side curtain bags in the event of a rollover.

The 2005 Honda Odyssey is the first minivan to utilize Michelin PAX System run-flat tire technology with continuous mobility of up to 150 miles at 50 mph following a flat tire.

A new top-of-the-line Touring model is positioned above the Odyssey EX. It adds a 360-watt, 7-speaker audio system, power adjustable pedals, front and rear parking sensors, power tailgate, automatic tri-zone climate control, multi-information display, removable 2nd-row centre console, memory driver's seat, Michelin PAX System run-flat tire technology, and body-coloured front and rear parking sensors.

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Is this really a good idea for reducing fuel consumption? I just read today at Autoweek.com about the new 530d that does average of 41mpg while still manage to do 0-100km/h in 7.1. This to be honest is by far more effective way to save fuel and money. Don't even get me started with those Hybrid story, they are garbage IMO. Constant charge and discharge of the battery means that in 5,6 years, you will need a new fuel cell that cost u $2000. You pay premium for the hybrid, you pay premium for your repair bills.........I bet that didn't get covered in the long run by the money you save on gas.

[possessed_beaver]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe Is this really a good idea for reducing fuel consumption? I just read today at Autoweek.com about the new 530d that does average of 41mpg while still manage to do 0-100km/h in 7.1. This to be honest is by far more effective way to save fuel and money. Don't even get me started with those Hybrid story, they are garbage IMO. Constant charge and discharge of the battery means that in 5,6 years, you will need a new fuel cell that cost u $2000. You pay premium for the hybrid, you pay premium for your repair bills.........I bet that didn't get covered in the long run by the money you save on gas.

exacley it's something i agree on, and it takes alot of energy, and enviromental resources to make the batterys aswell as other components on the car.

this tecnology of cutting off cylinders has been used in a pervious car, i believe it was american or something.

[5vz-fe]

Actually, I don't think they will be common. Only ppl who believes buying a Hybrid will be able to help save the earth will buy one. Will you pay 30% more money for the same car with less power just for that extra 30% in gas mileage?

I know Toyota are pushing out a more powerful version of the hybrid which is even more powerful than the gasoline only version, but there are also downsides to it. Frist of all to get more power, both gasoline engine and electric motor has to work at the same time, that means your battery are discharging. Imagine you are on a constant need for speed, your battery will dry out and you are return to your gasoline only power. However, you have more weight due to all those extra sensors, batteries and motor, your car will be slower than a normal gasoline one.

It is only clear, if you want performance, go gasoline, if you want to save money go diesel (VW diesel has very good gas milage by the way), if you have to much money and want some gadget in your car making you feel like you are actually saving money by paying more, go hybrid.

[Toronto]

what the car companies don't tell you is the fact that they Hybrid cars sell out, and it is one of the hardest car to get in LA, tom cruise was even on a waiting list,

they only make so many of them, and people buy all the ones they make,

but they make it seem like they only sell so much. then people think nobody wants any, then they go back to buying a gas car, and the car people are hapy cause they are selling cars that are cheaper to make, and the gas companies are happy too (everyone is happy, except the environment )

[Gnome]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe It is only clear, if you want performance, go gasoline, if you want to save money go diesel (VW diesel has very good gas milage by the way), if you have to much money and want some gadget in your car making you feel like you are actually saving money by paying more, go hybrid.

You are forgetting one thing... The point is not to save money, but to reduce the global warming. If reduced fuel consumption is the way to go is a another question. The motivation for using a hybrid car (and this VCM system) is to reduce the fuel consumption, and that is working.

The biggest point is however that the car companies and the consumers are thinking about our environmental problems. These systems are a step on the way. A small step, but we might get somewhere in a few years. Let hope we're not too late.

[cooperluke]

There is an engine in the Mercedes S class that also disconnects a few cilinders while they are not needed.

[5vz-fe]

Originally Posted by thamar That BMW you stated is a DIESEL! A diesel uses less then an ordinary fuel engine.

umm.....duh

Originally Posted by gnome You are forgetting one thing... The point is not to save money, but to reduce the global warming. If reduced fuel consumption is the way to go is a another question. The motivation for using a hybrid car (and this VCM system) is to reduce the fuel consumption, and that is working.

Diesel is working pretty well fuel consumption IMO. Cylinder deactivation is a good idea, but the efficiency of it is not that big if you look at the numbers. Hybrid cars also bring other problems such as recycling those batteries.

[sentra_dude]

Originally Posted by 5vz-fe Originally Posted by thamar That BMW you stated is a DIESEL! A diesel uses less then an ordinary fuel engine. umm.....duh Originally Posted by gnome You are forgetting one thing... The point is not to save money, but to reduce the global warming. If reduced fuel consumption is the way to go is a another question. The motivation for using a hybrid car (and this VCM system) is to reduce the fuel consumption, and that is working. Diesel is working pretty well fuel consumption IMO. Cylinder deactivation is a good idea, but the efficiency of it is not that big if you look at the numbers. Hybrid cars also bring other problems such as recycling those batteries.

I really don't see your point.

Sure cylinder deactivation doesn't provide a large jump in fuel economy...but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it. Sure diesels get great fuel economy...but if we are on the topic of environmental concerns, as far as I know, diesels are currently pretty horrible in emissions. Yes, they are working on it, but right now diesels spew out lots more emissions than the common gasoline engine (in America at least). That's the reason there aren't many diesels in America, because its very tough to make a diesel clean enough to meet our regulations, so even if that diesel is getting 40mpg, its, usually, still dirtier than the gas counterpart getting only 30mpg.

What's wrong with people wanting a little better fuel economy? Personally its (cylinder deactivation) not something I would go for, just because I'm sure it adds weight and its just one more thing to break; but I sure would pick cylinder deactivation before I ever went to a diesel motor...

GM was the first to use it, on V8s in Cadillac’s, with disastrous results, but eventually they got it straightened out, and they even put it on the ZR1...but it was more of a way to limit power for drivers you might not trust with all 405 of the Vette's ponies.

[RC45]

Originally Posted by sentra_dude GM was the first to use it, on V8s in Cadillac’s, with disastrous results, but eventually they got it straightened out, and they even put it on the ZR1...but it was more of a way to limit power for drivers you might not trust with all 405 of the Vette's ponies.

However, the ZR1 valet switch simply altered the fuel delivery - limiting power to about 250hp.

[BADMIHAI]

limiting power to about 250hp.

Limiting it to a mere Z06?

[RC45]

Originally Posted by BADMIHAI limiting power to about 250hp. Limiting it to a mere Z06?

Nice try - but even your limited intellect could tell 385 > 250...

[FordGTGuy]

I would still buy gas over electric. electric has some big downsides to them and so does hydrogen. If only they can find a source of energy with a larger combustion but not to big and also a large life time or use of tiny amount to make lots of energy. Maybe far far far in the future nuclear could be a possibility but that would be far in the future. And no Global Warming has nothing to do with anything because global warming is a folk lore.

[Gnome]

Hydrogen power is most likely the future of motoring. The main problem today is that the production of hydrogen from water is really energy consuming. This means that even if the exhaust from a hydrogen powered car is pure water, it has cost a lot more energy to move this car than a corresponding petrol powered car.
Let's hope some genius finds a better way to produce hydrogen soon!

Originally Posted by FordGTGuy And no Global Warming has nothing to do with anything because global warming is a folk lore.

That's BS!!! Yes, there have always been natural temperature swings, but not at the rate we are experiencing now. There is virtually no credible research that denies that we have manmade global warming today. Even the biggest sceptics are convinced. On the other hand there are a lot of discussions about what is causing it. Some people say that the CO2 from cars isn't the main problem. This might be true, too. You can say that you believe in these people and cruise around in your heavy truck with a ridiculously large V8. But I like to think that we should do something about our emissions just in case the pessimists are right. We don't get a second chance, if it is true that we are messing up the world our kids are supposed to live in.