Honda has announced a hybrid variant of the Jazz hatchback. The car is known as the Fit in North America, but no “Fit Hybrid” has been announced as of writing.
The Jazz Hybrid is the first parallel hybrid to be offered in its segment. It uses the same Honda IMA hybrid motor and control system as in the Insight and CR-Z. The engine is the same 1.3L i-VTEC gasoline engine found in the Insight, and it is hooked up to a CVT gearbox. An electric motor is found in between the two. The electric motor will be able to move the car on its own at medium and low speeds.
The exterior of the car is designed to distinguish itself from its gasoline-powered sibling. It gets revised headlights with a blue surround, a new front grille, restyled bumpers, clear rear lights, and a chrome tailgate garnish. It will also be available in a special body colour: Lime Green metallic.
On the interior, a couple minor changes are present. The car gets a darker, single colour dashboard, blue lighting for the dials and stereo, and optional leather trim, a first for the Jazz in Europe.
More information, including pricing, will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show, when the car makes its live debut.
Press Release
Honda Jazz Hybrid – Low Emissions and Practicality
August 25, 2010 – The Jazz Hybrid will make its world motor show debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, further demonstrating Honda’s continuing commitment to petrol-electric hybrid technology.
The launch of the latest addition to the practical Jazz line-up will mark the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment consumers. The IMA hybrid motor and control system are shared with 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 technology, with over half a million vehicles on the road benefitting from its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.
The new model will feature the same engine as the Insight hybrid, the 1.3 liter i-VTEC engine is combined with a CVT gearbox with an electric motor sandwiched between the two to create a parallel hybrid system. Like the Insight and Civic Hybrid models the Jazz Hybrid will be capable of running on the electric motor alone under some medium and low speed conditions.
Much of the Jazz’s practicality is derived from its height but despite being taller than the Insight, the Jazz Hybrid manages to maintain fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on comparable levels.
Visually the Jazz hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, with a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will also be available in a range of existing colors plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.
Inside the cabin is also given a fresh look with darker single color dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and stereo. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe. The Jazz hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011, prices and full specifications will be announced in due course.
Along with Jazz Hybrid, Honda stand will display a special edition of European made Civic, the 2011 model year Insight, CR-Z, the current petrol Jazz, CR-V, Accord and Accord Tourer, as well as the sports touring motorcycle VFR1200F equipped with “state-of-art” V4 engine, and a stylish PCX scooter with lower emission idle-stop 125cc engine.
Source: Honda