Honda Hybrid Minivan On Sale In Japan, Using Accord Hybrid System

In the U.S., Honda hybrids have essentially gone on hiatus this year.

For the 2016 model year, the only hybrid it sells is the aging CR-Z two-seater, which uses the carmaker's old Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) mild-hybrid system.

The Accord Hybrid--and its more sophisticated full-hybrid powertrain--is taking the year off, but will return in an updated version for 2017.

DON'T MISS: Is Honda Accord Hybrid Gone? Yes, For A Year--But It'll Be Back

In the meantime, its hybrid system will find a new home in a rather different kind of vehicle.

A new Honda Odyssey Hybrid minivan goes on sale in Japan this week, using the same Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system as the Accord.

This isn't the same Odyssey as the one sold in North America, though.

Development of Japanese and North American-market versions diverged years ago so Honda could satisfy U.S. buyers' demands for a larger minivan.

So the new Odyssey Hybrid is based on the smaller Japanese-market Odyssey that was last fully redesigned in 2013.

The front-wheel drive minivan uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors, with a lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the first-row seats.

ALSO SEE: Toyota Sienta Hybrid MPV (Small Minivan): Forbidden Fruit Or Bizarre Oddity? (Jul 2015)