Honda Jazz hybrid revealed

Honda’s world first supermini hybrid set to star at Paris Motor Show.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Tom Phillips

August 2010

Say hy to the Honda Jazz hybrid! The Japanese firm's petrol-electric supermini mase its public debut at the Paris Motor Show.

The hybrid Jazz boasts the same petrol electric IMA hybrid system as the Insight, mating an 87bhp 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol unit to a CVT gearbox with an electric motor sandwiched in between. Like the Insight and Civic hybrid, the Jazz will be able to run on electric power alone for short distances.

As the Jazz is smaller and lighter than the Insight, it achieves a combined economy figure of 64.2mpg and emissions of 104g/km - a figure that's 21 per cent less than the Jazz 1.2 petrol.

To set the newcomer apart, the Jazz hybrid gets revised blue-tinted headlights, a new grille and tweaked bumper at the front, while the rear is treated to clear taillights lenses. The hybrid can also be specified in this striking shade of Lime Green metallic.

Inside, the cabin gets blue-lit dials and can be specified with leather upholstery, which is the first time Honda has offered the trim in Europe.

The hybrid Jazz goes on sale in Japan in October, where it’s badged as the Honda Fit, and will go on sale in the UK early in 2011. Prices will be announced closer to the time.

In Japan the Fit hybrid costs more than a conventionally-powered Fit supermini, but less than an Insight. Apply this logic to the UK Honda range, where the Insight starts at £16,325, while a top-spec Jazz costs £15,770, and the Jazz hybrid should be priced at around £16,000 when it arrives here, making it the cheapest hybrid on the market.

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7 Comments

"Like the Insight and Civic hybrid, the Jazz will be able to run on electric power alone for short distances."
Really, I thought the Toyota hybrids could do this, but not the Honda ones...

By aje21 on 25 August, 2010, 1:01pm

To be honest...

So did we, but the information about that came from Honda, which claims that both the Insight and new Jazz, which uses the Insight's IMA drivetrain, can run on electric power only. We'll give it a go when we test the car closer to launch to see if it's a reality.

Tom
AE

By Tom_Phillips on 25 August, 2010, 1:37pm

Depends on your definition. The Honda hybrids can run on battery power alone, however because the electric motor is integral with the petrol engine, the latter still turns but with no fuel being consumed. The arrangement isn't ideal, but it does enable the car to run short distances with battery power alone.

By lawrence154 on 26 August, 2010, 8:49am

The ideal arrangement?

Really ? Because if the engine is turned by the electric motor when it is being used surely it is using valuable power / battery capacity unnecessarilly?

After so much development I would have thought a better solution would be available?

By vandenplas4litre on 26 August, 2010, 9:21am

Yes, really!

I own a Civic IMA hybrid saloon and yes, it does run on battery power only, at slow speeds......just like the Toyota. It is equally silent also. My neighbour calls it stealth mode! A brilliant car that Honda seem reluctant to advertise widely....unlike Toyota and their Prius.

By Christoforo123 on 26 August, 2010, 12:29pm

Facelifted Jazz

I note that it is not mentioned above by Auto Express- but in actual fact the car you see above is the new face lifted Jazz due out in early 2011, on sale in Japan in October 2010. The only difference in look between the hybrid above and the normal engined Jazz's are the front fogs and alloys, and of course the badging.Apart from bringing the hybrid Jazz to the UK what Honda should also do is import the 1.5 RS Jazz sold in Japan and target a new younger audience. With reference to comments above about Honda hybrids running on battery power alone - my mums CRZ never runs on the battery alone due to its sporty nature and mechanical set up.

By cousins11 on 26 September, 2010, 9:36pm

The Jazz and Insight hybrids retain thetwo-valve, twin plug iDtec cylinder head, and use the "iVtec" mechanism to close the valves to permit battery only running. I think. Closed valves = no pumping losses. The CRZ is a 4 valve head with the iVtec mechanism allowing the cam to be variable lift and to close one inlet valve at low rpm.

By nortones2 on 9 October, 2010, 5:19pm

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