Over the years, the Honda Odyssey has changed the way people think about people movers. It’s respected. It’s loved. It’s (dare we say it?) cool. So you may wonder how we could make it better. The Odyssey Concept, just unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, begins to answer the question.

The Honda Odyssey Concept, on display at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, introduces a sleek and distinctive exterior styling direction for the next generation of the industry’s best-selling minivan, set to debut this fall, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The Honda Odyssey Concept dramatically departs from conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance, highlighted by a “lightning-bolt” beltline that further distinguishes the vehicle’s profile.

Honda says that it has gone for a lower, more planted stance for this new generation of minivan, the production version of which will go on sale this fall to do battle with the reworked 2011 Toyota Sienna. The concept is a bit lower and 1.4 inches wider than the current production minivan, dimensions that will likely make it to production. It rides on the same 118.1-inch wheelbase as the current Odyssey. Of course, it always helps to make a vehicle look low and sleek on a stand at the auto show if you bolt on ginormous wheels and use manhole covers for brake discs. Those are less likely to make it to your local dealer.

Forthcoming improvements to the production Honda Odyssey’s interior are designed to further enhance the current model’s accommodating space for people and cargo. Adding distinction to what is taut-but-spare bodywork is the “lightning bolt” beltline. This feature is intended to provide third-row passengers with a better view out of the vehicle. But it’s also intended to be a signature styling feature for Honda’s new production minivan. Aggressive body-to-wheel proportions reduce the perception of vertical height common to most minivan designs. Fender flares further accent the vehicle’s securely planted and stylish persona. The concept vehicle’s projector beam headlights, LED taillights and form-fit fog lights further heighten the sophisticated quality of the design.

So what do we know about the 2011 Honda Odyssey, other than that it will look pretty much like this except with smaller wheels and less concept-y headlights? Well, Honda says that it estimates the new model will return 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway. That’s a significant improvement from the current Odyssey’s 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway, and it also bests the 2011 Toyota Sienna‘s 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway. Keep in mind, the 2011 Honda figures are estimates and the company hastens to add that it estimates fuel-efficiency for “select models,” by way of “enhanced aerodynamics” and “advanced powertrain technologies.” Could there be a fuel-economy special model in the future of the 2011 Honda Odyssey?

Currently in its third generation, the Honda Odyssey’s unique array of features, including its superior driving dynamics, 3rd-Row Magic Seat® and efficient i-VTEC™ V-6 engine with three-mode Variable Cylinder Management™ (available) all combine to offer a sophisticated environment with room for up to eight people (seven on Odyssey LX). The Odyssey has been America’s best-selling minivan since 2008 and is produced exclusively in Alabama by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (using domestic and globally sourced parts). Both the concept and production vehicles, along with all development activity for the 2011 Odyssey, are being designed at Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and Raymond, Ohio.

The Honda Odyssey has won numerous awards and critical acclaim. Recent accolades include the Edmunds.com 2010 “Top Recommended” minivan award, U.S. News and World Report 2010 “Best Minivan for the Money” award, Automotive Lease Guide 2010 “Best Minivan for the Money,” the Kelley Blue Book award as one of the ten “Best New Family Vehicles of 2009″ and “2009 Best Resale Value Award” in the van category, which recognizes vehicles that are expected to have segment-leading resale value after five years of ownership.

The primary idea seems to be the single seat in front for the driver, with two rear seats in the leg-room optimized “flanking” positions. There’s also a modular rear engine bay for working with a regular internal combustion engine, hybrid setup or pure electric power, along with a heads up display in the front windshield.

The exterior styling leverages crisp angles with dynamic flowing lines that originate from the front of the vehicle and span outward toward the rear. The end result is a sleek and aggressive exterior that also allows for a spacious and open interior with excellent visibility.

Honda says the P-NUT is ready for one of three possible powertrains: an efficient gas engine, a gas-electric hybrid, or a pure electric set up. There’s not a whole lot of room for any of these powerplants up front because the driver’s leg room extends almost all the way to the front of the concept.

“A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities,” said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. “The Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept explores the packaging and design potential for a vehicle conceived exclusively around the city lifestyle.”

The exterior styling is intended to capture a future direction for premium sophistication while balancing the need for maximum interior space and an aerodynamic appearance. The interior layout, in conjunction with the rear powertrain design, contributes prominently to the exterior’s overall shape.

The layout of the interior space, with its center driving position flanked by two rear seats, provides generous legroom for all occupants, roughly the equivalent of a mid-sized sedan in a vehicle that has an exterior footprint similar to a micro car. Interior functionality is increased by rear seating areas that fold up and out of the way to increase storage capacity. The windshield serves as a heads-up display for the navigation system and the back-up camera.

The modular rear engine bay, depicted on the exterior by blue composite material, is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential propulsion technologies including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.

“The objective of the exterior and interior designers was to explore the potential for a new type of small-segment-category vehicle that overcomes many of the objections for existing micro-car designs,” said Marek. “While the Honda P-NUT Concept introduces function-oriented concepts, it also shows that small cars don’t have to compromise on style or amenities.”

The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Los Angeles developed the Honda P-NUT Concept. Honda R&D Americas began its operations in California in 1975 with local market research activities and has steadily grown its capabilities over the past 33 years to include all aspects of new vehicle research, design and development. Recent Honda-brand efforts include trend-setting products such as the Pilot, Ridgeline, Element, Civic Coupe and Civic Si Coupe.

The Honda P-NUT does succeed in Honda’s stated goal to get the most space out of a small footprint.

India’s automotive industry is the second fastest growing in the world and has exceptional prospects. Already the ninth largest in the world it is expected to become one of the largest in the world several decades from now. Already the auto makers are developing specifically for the future, with Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) pulling the covers off what has been dubbed the “Honda New Small Concept”, a very small vehicle with seating for five people. The world premier was aptly staged at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi, India’s leading auto show, along with new small cars from Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and Ford.

HSCI also announced plans to begin sales of a new model in 2011 based on this concept model.

For the Honda New Small Concept, a wide platform with a stable center of gravity was adopted to create a highly efficient compact size with seating for five people. With the “Efficient Energetic Exterior” design, the dynamic design of the Honda New Small Concept with front forward fenders highlight the presence of the vehicle.

For an inexpensive runabout, the HSC has potential to be a hit in emerging markets, but don’t expect it to hit U.S. or European shores anytime soon.

By 2050, India will have more cars than any other country, and Japan’s second largest auto maker is clearly planning to get its share of sales by competing with local makers planning to offer the world’s cheapest cars. HSCI also announced plans to begin sales of a car based on this concept in both India and Thailand in 2011.

Honda will strive to provide a new small-sized vehicle that is beyond the expectations of customers in rapidly growing markets and offer it at an affordable price by leveraging Honda’s global parts sourcing network. The visual presence of the Small Car Concept is interesting, even if the name isn’t.