Honda Jazz goes hybrid

Honda will be presenting in a world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September the hybrid version of the Jazz. The new version will bring lower emissions and improved fuel economy to the Japanese brand’s supermini.

Thanks to the introduction of Honda’s petrol-electric IMA system, the Jazz will become the world’s first B-segment hybrid. The technology shared with the Insight and CR-Z hybrids has been proving itself to be flexible and dependable and is already on the road in over half a million vehicles.

The Jazz hybrid will be powered by the same engine fitted in the Insight hybrid, the 1.3 litre i-VTEC that is matted with a CVT gearbox with an electric motor placed between the two to create a parallel hybrid system. Just as the Insight and Civic Hybrid models the Jazz Hybrid will also be able to run on electric power only but only at medium and low speeds.

In terms of design the Jazz hybrid suffered some changes comparing with the current Jazz range. The new version features revised headlights, with a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish.

The Jazz hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011, prices and full specifications are yet to be announced.