The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Wednesday, June 16, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER D7 AUTOMOTIVE By Malcolm Gunn SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER The all-new Odyssey mini- van means business. Actually, it should mean a lot more business for Honda as it dramatically raises the ante in the high-stakes world of minivans. Forget everything you knew about the previous Odyssey. The new version is about 34 centime­ tres longer and about 12 centime­ tres wider than last year. In fact, it's the biggest passen­ ger vehicle Honda has ever built. Size-wise, the Odyssey is very close to those minivan bench­ marks, the Dodge Grand Caravan and Plymouth Grand Voyager. Honda has made a serious attempt to distance itself from the rest of the pack by loading the Odyssey with plenty in the way of unique feature content. The new van can be optioned with dual power sliding side doors, an industry first. They can be opened or closed simultaneously or individually by activating an inside control switch or by using the keyless remote control. The doors will also reverse themselves automatically if they come in contact with any object while closing. On the inside, Honda has introduced some nifty slight-of- hand with the seating arrange­ ments. For increased cargo capacity, the third-row bench tucks flat into the floor. Also, the second-row seating can be arranged as either captain's chairs, or moved togeth­ er to form a two-seat bench. Set up with only the front chairs, the Odyssey can accept full-sized plywood sheets stacked flat across its expansive cargo area. Ride comfort, as usual, is a priority. Therefore, the Odyssey comes equipped with four-wheel independent suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and a double wishbone setup in back. The whole package ties neatly together with a lengthy list of standard features on the base LX, including air conditioning with front and rear controls, power windows, door locks and mirrors, cruise control, four-wheel ABS, inside air filtration system 12-volt oudets front and rear and a pull­ out tray between the front seats. Move up to the more luxurious Odyssey EX and the equipment list grows to include not only the power sliding side doors, but also climate control, eight-way power driver's seat, six-speaker AM/FM stereo with CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, roof rack, 16-inch alloy wheels and body-colored door handles, side molding and outside mirrors. Powering the new Odyssey is an equally new engine, a 3.5-litre SOHC 24-valve V6 unit that pro­ duces 210 horsepower. This output compares favor­ ably with the largest engines installed in the Ford Windstar, Chevy Venture and Dodge Caravan which are rated at 200, 185 and 180 horsepower, respec­ tively. Although fuel economy is as good or better than the competi­ tion, you will have to bring some extra cash with you when refuel­ ing as the Odyssey has a thirst for premium unleaded. A four-speed automatic trans­ mission completes the driveline package. With the Odyssey's engine/transmission combo, stan­ dard towing capacity is • about 1,000 kilograms, or up to about 1,500 kg with the optional towing package. When overall size, features and power are taken into consid­ eration, the Odyssey stands ready to take on all challengers. And given Honda's well-earned repu­ tation for quality and reliability, the Odyssey should have no prob­ lem carving out a major slice of the minivan pie. SPEC SHEET 1999 Honda Odyssey ★ Four-door minivan available in LX or EX models. ★ 3.5-litre SOHC V6 engine, rated at 210 horsepower. ★ Four-speed automatic transmission ★ Optional power sliding side doors - a minivan first. ★ One of the largest minivan's in its class ★ Engine power tops in this league ★ Unique interior features add to the Odyssey's overall versatility. ★ Base Price: $30,600. Getting a wheel alignment - v Warranted for life. Every real Volkswagen muffler is backed by a Limited Lifetime Replacement W arranty'. W hich means, if it ever w ears out, we'll replace it for as long as you own your Volkswagen. And now, for a limited time, real Volkswagen mufflers are specially priced. Keepin' it real." VOLKSWAGEN PARTS & SERVICE Oakville Volkswagen C O P Y R I G H T A wheel alignment involves adjusting three different aspects of your suspension's geometry. If any of the aspects is out of tune from the manufacturer's specifications -- either from parts wear, hard use, or damage -- this can lead to premature tire wear and poor handling. The following are the three areas of adjustment. p n . Caster The number of degrees the spindle is tilted forward or rearward from vertical. Forward tilt is called negative caster. Backward tilt is called positive caster. Camber Negative , The number of degrees the top of the wheel is tilted inward or outward. Inward tilt is called negative camber, while outward tilt is called positive camber. . Depending on the use, a vehicle might be built with intentional negative or positive camber. The distance, in inches, the leading edge of the front tires are closer than the trailing edges. The right amount of toe-in will help a car roll more efficiently. Too much will cause the wheels to plow, increasing tire wear. Toe-in Spindle -- located behind the wheel - attaches to wheel and suspension. 557 KERR STREET (905) 844-3285 Tents w Special V Event Hours *1 Open until 9:00pm ) SHfct. on Friday, June 18th Fkojtw R a fc £ 0 j^ A Drive Canadas #1 Selling Gar TH E HONDA CIVIC Terrific selection o f models, colour and options www. oakvillehonda. 191W YECROFT RD. 844-9831 com Mon. to Thurs. 9am-9pm, Fri. & Sat. 9am-6pm a 1 S