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Honda at theParis Motor Show
Honda Jazz with hybrid technology: Low Emissions and Practicality without Compromise
The hybrid version of Jazz makes its world motor show debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, further demonstrating Honda’s continuing commitment to petrol-electric hybrid technology.
The launch of the latest addition to the practical Jazz line-up marks the first time a parallel hybrid vehicle has been available to B-segment consumers. Importantly, the Jazz will not lose any of its practicality, as the compact IMA hybrid system allows the B-segment car to retain its ultra-flexible “Magic Seats” and 300 litres of boot space.
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.
The IMA hybrid system is 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 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 good fuel economy.
The new Jazz features the same IMA system as in the Insight hybrid, using the same 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine. 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 (NOx, PM etc).
Visually, the hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate. The car 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 an option on a Jazz model in Europe.
The dashboard includes a version of Honda’s ‘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 helps drivers get maximum economy from their car in everyday situations and gives users real-time feedback on how different braking and throttle techniques can affect both fuel bills and environmental impact.
*Internal figure, homologation not yet finalised
While respecting the distinctive features of the car, a range of Genuine Accessories will further accentuate its hybrid character. Exterior and interior options, such as doorstep decals, B-pillar embellishments and alloy wheels, can be fitted according to the driver's personal taste. A Solid State Drive navigation, hands-free Bluetooth® and rear entertainment system are available to provide extra technological comfort.
The hybrid version of Jazz will go on sale in the UK in the early part of 2011, prices and full specifications will be announced in due course.
2011 Honda Insight
The 2011 Honda Insight on the stand at Paris features a revised interior, with the dashboard and seat trim now a darker hue for the new model year. The latest car also features revised suspension components and settings, specification changes and two new exterior colours.
Interior Changes
The most noticeable difference is the change to black in the upper section of the dashboard of the Insight, significantly altering the ambience of the hybrid’s cabin. There are now two interior colour combinations available; the first being an entirely black dash, combined with black seats, door panels and centre console. Alternatively, a grey lower dash section, seats and centre console can be selected, giving a lighter appearance to the cabin. For the first time leather seats are available on the Insight and these can be combined with either of the new dashboard and trim colour schemes.
Complementing the interior colour choices are some trim revisions with chrome rings for the air vents and heating controls to contrast against the darker interior. On top grade models with the black interior a silver metallic appearance trim is applied to the door grips.
Suspension Enhancements
In response to customer feedback, the Insight has also seen revisions to the suspension, with settings and components altered to improve the ride, stability and handling of the 5-door hybrid. The changes include changing the shape of the V in the suspension brace, altering the rear camber, adjusting the recoil rate of the springs, changing the front suspension knuckle and increasing the size of underbody aerodynamic parts.
New Colours
Two new exterior colours have been added, with Dynamic Blue Pearl replacing Neutron Blue and Carnelian Red Pearl replacing New Red Pearl. For the first time parking sensors are made standard on top grade cars to enhance customer convenience.
Bespoke Hybrid Model
The Insight utilises the efficient, compact and proven 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine, combined with an electric motor. This engine and motor combination is shared with the new Jazz hybrid and both models benefit from the ability to run on electric power alone under some speed conditions. CO2 emissions remain at 101 g/km and fuel consumption at 64mpg.
The combination of an aerodynamic body and a parallel hybrid powertrain gives the Insight impressive environmental performance with a low overall exhaust emissions package. The Insight has also been developed to offer excellent fuel economy and emissions in real world conditions, not just in official tests. The Eco Assist encourages and assists drivers in achieving good fuel economy every day with the coaching function and ECON button.
Recycling of Battery Packs
Importantly, the Insight is manufactured in a plant where zero production waste ends up in landfill and a suite of energy saving techniques are used to reduce overall impact. At the end of the vehicle’s life the Insight is designed to be highly recyclable and recoverable and the batteries can be easily recycled through any Honda dealer.
Environment Zone Takes Centre Stage at Paris
The Honda stand at Paris features an environment zone hosting the company’s most important environmental technologies, celebrating the company’s 10 years of selling hybrids in Europe and cutting-edge fuel cell research. The zone will be surrounded by a wide range of Honda products and a range of official Honda accessories.
Honda Jazz with hybrid technology
Pride of place in the environment zone goes to the new Jazz with hybrid technology, which brings a hybrid parallel drive train to this class of car for the first time. The lowest emission B-segment automatic available in Europe will take the position at the head of the environment zone, alongside its hybrid and fuel cell electric counterparts.
Insight
Two versions of the revised 2011 Insight are displayed close to the Jazz, with which it shares its ultra-clean and frugal IMA parallel hybrid drivetrain. The 2011 model Insight features revisions to the interior, suspension and specifications to bring even greater appeal to the bespoke hybrid model. For more information, please see the Insight section of the press pack.
CR-Z
The CR-Z is exciting to drive, great to look at and has a healthy respect for the environment. It is designed and engineered by Honda for modern, urban living.
As the world’s first sporty hybrid, it’s stylish looks stand-out from other ‘green’ cars on the market and it offers true driving thrills thanks to an agile chassis, direct steering, a low driving position and useful boosts of torque from the petrol-electric drivetrain.
It’s most at home in urban environments, zipping from light to light, and nipping in and out of traffic. Because it’s a hybrid it has low exhaust emissions, benefits from cheaper road tax, and – for Londoners – is exempt from the Congestion Charge.
The first driver-focused hybrid
The CR-Z brings driving excitement to hybrids for the first time. Direct steering, a short-shift six-speed manual gearbox, low driving position and kart-like handling complement the drivetrain that provides bursts of power thanks to the responsive pull of the electric motor.
An involving drive
The chassis was an important factor in the development of the CR-Z, with driver enjoyment being core to the design. The platform shares some components with the Jazz and Insight models, but the wheelbase, track width and set-up are all unique to the coupe
3-Mode Drive System
To maximise driver choice and enhance the day-to-day drivability of the CR-Z, it has a unique 3-Mode Drive System that allows the driver to choose between three driving modes and adapt the car’s settings to enjoy their favourite road, maximise economy, or strike a balance between the two.
A CR-Z Genuine Accessories range has been developed in four themes to enable Honda’s dealers and customers to easily identify their individual requirements. The Carbon theme includes floor carpets and door-step decals, interior panels, body skirts and a 17” alloy wheel. The Metallic theme covers a front sports grille, door mirror covers, air-intake details, pillar decorations and speaker rings. The Illumination theme gives a cool, blue luminescence to the interior of the CR-Z, while the Coloured theme offers tailgate garnishes and body styling graphics. The CR-Z Genuine Accessories range offers
customers a wide variety of options to individualise and enhance their vehicle.
Civic Hybrid
Rounding off Honda’s range of IMA parallel hybrids, the Civic Hybrid has been a pioneer of hybrid technology in Europe and the inclusion of the current version in the range gives customers a choice of four hybrids.
HondaJet
The HondaJet is the realisation of Soichiro Honda’s long-held dream to fly and for his company to produce an aircraft product. The six seat business jet epitomises Honda’s design philosophy, by using an unconventional design to consume 25 per cent less fuel than comparable designs. The Over-The-Wing engine mount design of the HondaJet assists this quest for reduced consumption and gives it a distinctive, yet sleek look, which can be seen in the displayed model.
The GE-Honda HF120 engines are capable of launching the jet from a runway just 951 metres long and on to a maximum cruise of 420 knots true airspeed. Already, more than 100 orders have been placed for the $4.5 million jet and US deliveries commence in the middle of 2012, with European sales starting in 2013. For more details please visit www.hondajet.com
FCX Clarity
Honda’s production fuel cell electric vehicle, the FCX Clarity, takes a break from extensive R&D testing across Europe to appear at the Paris Motor Show. The world’s first production fuel cell electric vehicle has been available to lease in the US and Japan since 2008, and has been delivered to customers including actress Jamie Lee Curtis and ice hockey player, Scott Niedermayer.
The FCX Clarity is fundamentally an electric vehicle, with a hydrogen fuel cell stack providing the electricity from a reaction between hydrogen and atmospheric oxygen. This reaction has only one emission: water! The FCX Clarity can be refuelled from empty to full in less than four minutes and has a range of 280 miles.
The FCX Clarity has ample space for four full-size adults plus luggage and combines this with a whisper quiet, 100mph top speed. Honda’s fuel cell electric vehicle shows that a vehicle with no harmful emissions can be practical, comfortable and fun to drive.
In 2010, the FCX Clarity has been all over Europe to demonstrate the potential of fuel cell electric technology to politicians, key decision makers and infrastructure projects. Demonstrations this year have included a visit to a European Youth Parliament event and the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Essen.
3R-C
The environment zone is complemented by a range of other Honda technologies and concepts, including the 3R-C three-wheel, zero emission concept vehicle. This urban commuter concept was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show 2010, where it was unveiled to great acclaim.
ASIMO
ASIMO, Honda’s humanoid robot will also be at Paris, demonstrating just how much progress has been made in the 24 years the company has been researching this technology.
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Labels: 3R-C, Asimo, Civic Hybrid, CR-Z, FCX Clarity, Honda Insight, HondaJet
