Hey, Your Top Automobile News for December 12, 2020

Your Daily Automobile updates From Around The World [img]  [Learn more about RevenueStripe...]( [img]( [The Automobile News]( [Honda Odyssey, America’s Bestselling Minivan, Retains Its Charms for 2021]( In a time when your family’s safety is paramount, the 2021 Honda Odyssey makes for soothing relief.How else to describe a family-friendly vehicle that was the first minivan to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest accolade, the 2020 “Top Safety Pick+” rating? OK, that may not sound exciting to you. But to a harried parent, one less thing to worry about is always a good thing. And the Honda Odyssey provides that in spades.For 2021, America’s most popular minivan gets a mild freshening with more powerful LED lighting framing a restyled grille and front fascia, and black trim under the rear window. The rest of the vehicle’s look remains unchanged, with an undulating beltline and flowing lines on the side the vehicle, capped by a partially blacked out D-pillar. What has changed is Honda Sensing, Honda’s suite of driver-assistance safety systems; it’s now standard equipment on all models, and includes collision mitigation braking with pedestrian detection; forward collision warning; road departure mitigation with lane departure warning; and adds lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Sold in ascending LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite trim, the Odyssey’s practicality remains intact, thanks to 155.7 cubic feet of cargo space and the flexibility to carry people or cargo or both. And it comes with the sort of options that make life easier, such as wireless charging, heated/ventilated seats, power sliding doors, and an integrated vacuum cleaner. All the better to clean up wayward Cheerios or pet hair. As before, the center row bucket seats fold as well as slide side-to-side, making third-row entry easy. And the third row folds flat into the floor, allowing for an admirable amount of cargo space. When the seats aren’t folded, you’ll find the existing cargo area is massive, with a low lift over that’s far easier to access than any SUV. And Honda has added grocery bag hooks on the back of the third-row seats for 2021. The front bucket seats are firm, but very comfortable and perfect for long stints behind the wheel. And both have heating and ventilation on the Elite, along with fold-down center armrests. Headroom and legroom are generous.Thoughtfully, all three rows have USB ports, map pockets, smartphone slots, cup holders and air conditioning vents and storage nooks. The top-of-the-line Elite test vehicle had a ceiling-mounted DVD screen and wireless headphones, a boon for a bit of peace and quiet on family trips. In addition, a new rear seat reminder system alerts the driver to check their rear seating area when leaving the vehicle. It’s integrated into a new CabinWatch system on Touring and Elite trim, which provides front seat view of the second and third rows, which also uses the audio system speakers or headphones to amplify front-seat passengers’ voices. The test vehicle’s gloomy black interior featured fake smoked-wood trim and plenty of storage options, including a large center console and a plethora of door pockets. A wireless charging pad was most welcome, as were a hidden auxiliary and port in the center console and additional USB outlets, as well as 12-volt and 150-watt outlets. Thoughtfully, Honda provides the driver with buttons to open the power sliding side doors and power rear tailgate. An eight-inch touchscreen on the instrument panel houses the infotainment functions, with Honda’s cluttered, overdesigned user interface sadly remaining unchanged. The Odyssey Elite’s sole option was SiriusXM satellite radio, whose pathetically abysmal sound quality makes it a dubious investment at best. In fact, its sound is so bad you might find superior sound quality on AM transistor radio. This isn’t Honda’s fault, but skipping it saves you $395. (Our Elite test model had a base price of $47,820. The LX has a base price of $32,100.) Regardless of your music preferences or which model you choose, all Odysseys come with a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission that is up to the task of muscling this minivan down the road, although the transmission is geared for fuel economy, delaying before downshifting to deliver more power when needed.Braking is excellent, though, and steering is somewhat lightweight and devoid of road feel. Body lean is noticeable and comes on gradually. Since a minivan is not a sports car, but a device to safely and securely carry those we cherish most, the Odyssey performs remarkably well. Fuel economy came in at 23.3 mpg in mostly highway driving, besting the EPA’s 22 mpg combined rating. Nevertheless, while driving under the extremely windy conditions of Tropical Storm Eta, the Odyssey’s compliant suspension constantly moved, bobbed and weaved, but the Odyssey tracked straight and true. It was very impressive. As you’d expect, the Odyssey is geared for comfort and it delivers, with road intrusions well muffled; road noise is moderate, becoming very intrusive at times on bad road surfaces. The only sour note was when the automatic emergency braking falsely slowed the vehicle down while changing lanes despite plenty of space. It was extraordinarily disconcerting, and strong enough that the vehicle could have been rear-ended if a car had been following. But that was the only real off-note in an otherwise stellar performance. [Read More]( The post [Honda Odyssey, America’s Bestselling Minivan, Retains Its Charms for 2021]( first appeared on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( [What Defines Tata Harrier is the Platform, Here’s How it’s Different]( There is much more to the Harrier than merely a striking SUV design. Here is how the construction of the Harrier is quite unique and interesting at the same time! With the exception of Tesla, perhaps no other major carmaker designs cars that look like futuristic concepts. You can add Tata Motors to the list. The Harrier, launched in early 2019, looks a lot similar to the H5X concept showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo. But there is much more to the Harrier than merely a striking design. This flagship Tata SUV has a lot in common with Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) vehicles such as the Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar E-Pace—because all share a common architecture. While these JLR vehicles are developed on the D8 platform, the Harrier is developed on the OMEGARC, short for Optimal Modular Efficient Global Architecture, which is an adaptation of the D8 (Tata Motors had acquired JLR in 2008). When the Harrier was being developed,” says Rajendra Petkar, president & CTO, Tata Motors, “the D8 platform was found to be the most suitable for the Indian market. So, it was adapted into the OMEGARC, which is a modular platform and can deliver multiple body types.” On the OMEGARC, vehicles between the length of 4.3 metres and 4.8 metres can be developed; this implies that future large-size SUVs such as the Gravitas (seven-seat version of five-seat Harrier) will be developed on the OMEGARC. Prior to the OMEGARC, most crossovers and SUVs made by Tata Motors were developed body-on-frame—a construction method in which a separate body is mounted on a rigid vehicle frame or chassis. In addition to modularity, a major advantage of the OMEGARC is the reduction in vehicle weight. Petkar says that if an SUV of the proportions of the Harrier was developed body-on-frame, it could have been at least 300-kg heavier. But its benefits, Petkar adds, go beyond mere reduced development costs and time-to-market.“Vehicles developed on the OMEGARC offer enhanced driving dynamics with a long wheelbase and wide track for greater ride comfort and linear stability. It also benefits from the strategic use of structural adhesives at high-stress points on the body and extensive use of high-strength steel for greater rigidity. The front sub-frame structure uses four-point bushing mounts for improved comfort and reduced road-noise. But the OMEGARC isn’t only platform Tata Motors has—last year, it developed the Agile Light Flexible Advanced (ALFA) architecture, on which the Altroz premium hatchback has been created, and which could possibly be used to develop a premium sedan as well. The ALFA architecture s being employed to develop vehicles shorter than 4.3 metres in length. “These two architectures are the backbone of our future products,” says Petkar. “Having said that, we also have other platforms on which we manufacture the Tiago, the Tigor and the Nexon; these are quite capable platforms and we are likely to continue with these.” Petkar says both the OMEGARC and the ALFA can support the development of born-electric vehicles, such as the all-new Sierra electric concept showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2020. “While we have turned Tigor and Nexon electric, if and when Tata develops a ‘born-electric’ vehicle, it could possibly be developed either on the ALFA or the OMEGARC, depending on the size of the vehicle. [Read More]( The post [What Defines Tata Harrier is the Platform, Here’s How it’s Different]( first appeared on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( [What We Know So Far About The Next-Gen Lamborghini Aventador]( While retaining the naturally aspirated V12 characteristic of the brand, the new Aventador will derive assistance from a hybrid system. The next-generation Lamborghini Aventador is expected in 2021, and with it will come notable changes. While retaining the naturally aspirated V12 characteristic of the brand, the new Aventador will derive assistance from a hybrid system. This addition moves in concert with EV and hybrid trends without sacrificing the core character of the supercar’s powertrain. The decision to stray away from a fully electric motor is one that will be supported by Lamborghini enthusiasts, who have long stressed the importance of retaining the classic V12. Lamborghini’s chief technical officer Maurizio Reggiani explained the hybrid strategy will help comply with emissions regulations and help optimize components for maximum torque. Implementation of the hybrid system will certainly be accompanied by a shift in vehicle weight and power. The Lamborghini V12 And Hybrid Systems The very essence of a Lamborghini is based on its naturally aspirated V12, which creates a distinguished and characteristic roar. In a 2016 interview, CEO Stefano Domenicali explained the importance of maintaining the naturally aspirated engine as a part of Lamborghini’s DNA. For future models, it is important for Lamborghini to retain the naturally aspirated engine to continue with the automaker’s heritage. The hybrid powertrain will balance advancements in technology with the classic feel of a Lamborghini. CTO Maurizio Reggiani explained that the ideal solution for the upcoming powertrain would incorporate electric motors for the front and a traditional rear-mounted V12. Lamborghini has already released a hybrid concept with the Sián, which couples the classic V12 with a supercapacitor. With this powerful hybrid design, the Sián outputs 807 horsepower and has a top speed of over 220mph. Although it’s not likely the newest Aventador will have a supercapacitor, it will certainly derive some power from electric motors.The V-12 has been part of the story of Lamborghini since the very beginning”, said CTO Maurizio Reggiani; “It has been present in every year of our history, which is why our strategy and our vision for the future is to continue to have a V-12 coupled with a hybrid motor.” The New Aventador May Not Arrive Until 2024 The hybrid Aventador will help Lamborghini comply with increasingly stringent CO2 emissions standards without eliminating the visceral potency of the V12. The engine will also preserve the automaker’s long-standing tradition of creating incredible power without the assistance of turbos or superchargers. According to reports, the next generation Aventador may arrive in 2024.The new system does not come without challenges, however, one of them being additional weight. Reggiani explained to Car and Driver that the optimization of weight will be an important factor when designing the electric system. Rather than focusing on electric range, the designers will likely place emphasis on the driving experience, power, and overall handling. Although the car may be heavier, it may compensate through increased power from the electrical system. Lamborghini’s CTO said that electrical systems can help increase the car’s power without sacrificing its essence. “You can add performance, but you can also fill in the weaknesses of the naturally aspirated engine, especially where torque is weak”, Reggiani said. Many automakers have indicated a shift to all-electric cars, complying with regulations yet eliminating the purity of a naturally aspirated engine. Even if significant amounts of power are harnessed from electrical assistance, Lamborghini is continuing an important tradition by retaining its V12. [Read More]( The post [What We Know So Far About The Next-Gen Lamborghini Aventador]( first appeared on [TheAutomobileNews.com](. [Read Full Story]( ------------------ You Might Like [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](        ------------------ Connect with TheAutomobileNews on Facebook and Twitter [fb](  [tw]( ------------------ You received this email because you operate or create content for a website/service and based on your website it seemed like this could be important information to you and your users. TheAutomobileNews daily newsletter is managed by [Postbox Consultancy Services Pvt. 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