Making its debut at the Paris Motor Show this week, the hybrid version of the Jazz features Honda's innovative petrol-electric IMA system and retains the practical characteristics found in the supermini, while lowering emissions and improving fuel economy.
John Kingston, Government Affairs and Environment Manager, Honda (UK), explains:
A hybrid version of Honda's much-loved Jazz will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, bringing lower emissions and improved fuel economy to the practical supermini.
The introduction of Honda's petrol-electric IMA system to the Jazz, makes the car the world's first B-segment hybrid.
The first British-built Honda jazz has rolled off the production line in Swindon.
European production of the Jazz has shifted from Japan to the UK as Honda aims to produce particular models in the continent where they are most popular. More than 70,000 Jazz cars are sold in Europe each year.
David Hodgetts, Director of Honda of the UK Manufacturing in Swindon, said:
With the Government's scrappage scheme pushing more small cars onto the road, insurance specialist Warranty Direct has revealed the Honda Jazz as one of the most reliable Superminis on the road.
According to data compiled from Warranty Direct's 50,000 UK policies on 4-7 year old cars, only one in 10 of the diminutive Jazz models will break down in the average year.
The New Honda Jazz has been rated one of Europe's safest cars, setting the benchmark for the supermini class, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.
Euro NCAP's new rating scheme focuses on the vehicle's overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The new system considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. The Honda Jazz has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating which follows on from the 5 star results achieved by both the Honda Civic and the Honda Accord.
Honda will be boosting its hybrid line-up in 2010 with a petrol-electric Jazz.
The world's first hybrid supermini will be powered by the same mechanicals as the forthcoming Insight hatchback.
Honda has practically swept the board in this year's Which? Car reliability survey, the biggest-ever owner satisfaction survey in the UK with almost 100,000 cars rated. The Honda Jazz is the most reliable new car, with a rating of 96 per cent. More than 1,300 owners confirmed it rarely lets them down – cementing its reputation as the number one for dependable motoring.
FOR THE third consecutive year, the Honda S2000 has been voted by 56,000 Top Gear magazine readers as their favourite car, with the Honda Jazz being voted the second best.