Honda Elysion

The Honda Elysion (Japanese: ホンダ・エリシオン, Hepburn: Honda Erishion) is a seven- or eight-seat minivan initially sold only in Japan as a competitor to the Toyota Alphard and the Nissan Elgrand. The Honda LaGreat, marketed in the US as the Honda Odyssey, featured popular styling but was impractical in Japan due to its relatively large size. Subsequently, the Elysion was designed with styling cues from the LaGreat, but was made smaller to be competitive in the Japanese market.

Honda Elysion
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda
Production	2004–present
Body and chassis
Class	Minivan
Body style	5-door minivan
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda LaGreat

The Elysion was introduced to the Chinese market in June 2012. Japanese production of the Elysion ceased in October 2013, but it continues to be manufactured and sold in China.

Honda was inspired to name the vehicle the "Elysion" from the classical Greek word Elysium, or heaven.

First generation (RR; 2004)

First generation
Elysion G Aero (pre-facelift)
Overview
Model code	RR1 RR2 RR3 RR4 RR5 RR6
Production	2004–2013 (Japan) 2012–2015 (China)
Assembly	Japan: Sayama, Saitama China: Wuhan (Dongfeng Honda)
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Related	JDM Honda Odyssey (third generation) Honda Accord (Japan and Europe seventh generation)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 2.4 L K24A I4 3.0 L J30A V6 3.5 L J35A V6
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,900 mm (114.2 in)
Length	4,920 mm (193.7 in)
Width	1,845 mm (72.6 in)
Height	1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Curb weight	2,020 kg (4,450 lb)
Chronology
Successor	Honda Odyssey (fifth generation) (Japan)

Elysion rear view

The first generation Elysion appeared at the Tokyo Motor Show, in October 2003 as the "ASM", and was released for sale on 13 May 2004. A mild body restyle was introduced 29 September 2005, introducing an "Aero" and "VG Premium" trim level. 13 January 2006 saw the introduction of the "G Aero HDD Navi" and "VG HDD Navi Aero" editions. Another styling change was introduced on 21 December 2006, including an interior update.

The Elysion was offered with either the 2.4 L DOHC direct injection K24A with i-VTEC producing 160 PS (117.7 kW; 157.8 bhp) or the 3.0 L SOHC J30A V6 i-VTEC producing 250 PS (183.9 kW; 246.6 bhp). The V6 was also available with "VCM" or Variable Cylinder Management. The upper trim level "Prestige" model was available with the J35A V6 used in the Honda Legend, producing 300 PS (220.6 kW; 295.9 bhp) and available with AWD. However, vehicles equipped with all AWD had their engine power reduced to 279 PS (205.2 kW; 275.2 bhp). For two-wheel drive vehicles, this was more power than that was available in the Toyota Estima, which was quoted to be 280 PS (205.9 kW; 276.2 bhp).

Concept

The Elysion was first seen as a concept car called Honda ASM at Tokyo Motor Show in late 2003 and made into a production half a year later with some cosmetic adjustments to its headlight, front grill and interior to make it more commercially friendly. It officially launched in mid-2004 for Japan's domestic market.

Design

At 4840mm, the Elysion's length is identical as the 3.0L second-generation Odyssey RA6 or about 1 cm longer than XV50 Toyota Camry. Its 1830 mm width is about 3 cm wider than the RA6 or about 2 cm wider than the Camry. The difference is in the clever space management making 70% of total space available as a cabin plus the 1790 mm height, which is about 18 cm taller than the RA6 or about 24 cm taller than the current Odyssey.

Safety

The combination of a new 30% stronger high-rigidity steel, the Honda G-CON technology and the unique double platform with low central gravity floor, first seen on Merc A-class, allowed Elysion (one box car) to achieve the highest 6 stars rating by Nasva and become one of the safest Japanese passenger cars production ever, even higher than the competitor's luxury three-box (hood-cabin-boot) sedans.

The high-rigidity body also benefited to the overall comfort as the car handles any rough roads with poise, free of squeaks found in many older Honda vehicles.

The top-of-the-line VZ model is equipped with an IHCC (intelligent highway cruise control) and CMS (collision mitigation sensor) that works with radio-wave radar installed in the front grill to warn the driver if they get too close to the car ahead, automatically tightening the seatbelt and readying the brake, similar to the pre-crash system in the S-class. The radar doubles as night vision (a similar concept to the infrared night vision introduced in BMW) as it gives picture in a form of a graphic of objects ahead displayed on its built in 8 inch navigation system at the dash.

Other safety equipment includes ABS (anti-lock brake), VSA (vehicle stability), TCS, sideslip, and AFS (adaptive front lighting) on its projector HID Xenon headlight.

Engine and brake

At launch, two choices of engines are available. The 2.4L i-VTEC K24A that is used in the current Odyssey produces about 160 horses and 22.2 kg-m of torque. With virtually the same specs and gear ratios, it behaves and drives very similar to the current Odyssey and sips about 10,2 km/L in 10–15 Japan standard test (3 times variable city driving stop and go and 1 time highway driving with 120 kg extra weight of two passengers and without a/c).

The compression ratio of 9.7 couples with an anti-knocking sensor and intelligent timing control makes it easy to take RON 95 grade. A similar 2.4L engine but with different overhead and higher compression ratio of 11.0 that produces 200hhp that is used in Honda JDM Odyssey Absolute is not yet available at this time for Elysion.

The other is an all new 3.0L V6 i-VTEC J30A with the VCM (variable cylinder management), shutting-off 3 cylinders on one bank of the V6 when reduced power is needed such as during cruising or driving down hill. The only tell-tale sign that the engine is running on 3 cylinders is when the ECO green light at the panels light up.

All Elysions are equipped with ventilated 4-disk brakes with ABS and EBD.

Prices

Although Honda have released few versions of Elyson, the engine capacity haven't changed at all until the new Honda Elyson which has a capacity of 3,471cc.

Model/year	Engine capacity	Price of new car(in Japan)
Honda Elyson	2,354 - 3,471cc	US$20,879 - US$35,258
Honda Elysion 2007	2,354 - 2,997cc	US$20,879 - US$34,531
Honda Elysion 2005	2,354 - 2,997cc	US$20,879 - US$30,998

Trims and specifications

There are 6 different trim and grades plus 2 special AERO HDD editions. Three grade of 2.4L front-wheel-drive models are available, described as M, G and X. There are also three 3.0L front-wheel-drive models, VG, VX and VZ. Four-wheel-drive is optional on all models.

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  Elysion (facelift)
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  Elysion Prestige
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  Elysion Prestige rear
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  Elysion Prestige interior
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  Instrument gauges

Chinese market

Honda announced to introduce the Elysion to the Chinese market in 2012. The Elysion was launched on June 7, 2012. The vehicle comes with a 2.4L i-VTEC K24Z5 engine, 5-speed auto transmission and is assembled locally by Honda's Chinese joint-venture Dongfeng Honda. It is positioned as a corporate people-mover.

• 
  Elysion (Chinese market)
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  Elysion rear (Chinese market)

Second generation (RC; 2015)

Second generation
Overview
Model code	RC1 RC2
Also called	Honda Odyssey (fifth generation)
Production	2015–present
Assembly	China: Wuhan (Dongfeng Honda)
Body and chassis
Layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 2.0 L LFA1/LFB1/LFA-H4 i-VTEC I4 (hybrid) 2.4 L K24V6 I4
Electric motor	AC synchronous permanent magnet (hybrid)
Transmission	CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,900 mm (114.2 in)
Length	4,940 mm (194.5 in)
Width	1,845 mm (72.6 in)
Height	1,710 mm (67.3 in)

Previewed by the Honda Concept M MPV concept during the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show, the second-generation Honda Elysion for the Chinese market based on the fifth-generation Odyssey was unveiled at the Guangzhou Auto Show on 20 November 2015, and launched on 9th January 2016. It is 20 mm (0.8 in) longer in length and 100 mm (3.9 in) lower in height compared to the previous generation.

The second-generation Elysion is produced and sold exclusively in China by Dongfeng Honda, and was sold alongside the fifth-generation Odyssey produced by Guangqi Honda.

The Elysion Hybrid went on sale in September 2019, with redesigned grille and bumper.

The model received a facelift in December 2021, with the hybrid variant renamed to e:HEV Sport Hybrid.

• 
  Honda Elysion II and Odyssey V based on the same platform in China
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  Honda Elysion Hybrid (pre-facelift, China)
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  Honda Elysion Hybrid (pre-facelift, China)
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  Honda Elysion Hybrid (facelift, China)

External links

• Official website (China)