The popular Honda Jazz now comes with a distinctive green tinge to it. The Honda Jazz Hybrid has been released at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and somehow … despite it’s small size … Honda has been able to fit in the extra battery that a hybrid needs to power it’s electric motors without sacrificing any of it’s boot space or the flexible “Magic Seats”.
The IMA battery pack and power control unit have been integrated in the area under the boot floor, retaining the normal boot area and allowing the “Magic Seats” to fold in the same manner as non-hybrid versions. This means that the seats still fold entirely flat to provide a surprising 831 litre of space or the seat bases can be folded up to sit vertically, so as to accommodate tall items within the car.
While Honda has had to work hard to fit everything into the Jazz Hybrid it has managed to achieve that goal without the need to develop a new hybrid system.
The Jazz Hybrid uses the same IMA hybrid system as the Insight and CR-Z hybrids, taking advantage of the proven reliability of this important technology.
With almost two decades of development and 10 years of sales behind it, the Honda IMA system has proven itself to be a flexible and dependable system, with over half a million vehicles on the road benefitting from its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.
The new model features the same IMA system as in the Insight hybrid, using the same 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine as its dedicated hybrid model sibling. The IMA system is combined with a CVT gearbox in the Jazz and with emissions of just 104 g/km* of CO2 it has the lowest CO2 output of any automatic car in the B-segment. As a petrol-electric hybrid, the new derivative has ultra-low levels of other exhaust emissions, not just taxable elements.
Visually the Jazz Hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, which have a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will be available in a range of existing colours plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.
Inside the cabin is given a fresh look with a darker single colour dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and centre console. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe.
The dashboard integrates a version of the Eco Assist function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise the driver on how their driving style is impacting on their fuel economy. The Eco Assist function aides drivers in getting the maximum economy from their car in everyday situations and gives users real-time feedback on how their use of the brakes and throttle affects their fuel bills and environmental impact.
The Honda Jazz Hybrid will go on sale in Europe early next year but there’s been no indication of when we might see the Jazz Hybrid in Australia.