Honda Jazz 2014 News

How do you transport a bike or three in a way that is safe, secure and easy to unload? The best way depends on what sort of car you have, how many bikes you want to carry and how often.There are five main options: - in-car storage - two-bar bike racks - roof racks - strap-on racks and - floor mounts for utes. For the sake of security and for people who just won’t buy a rack, there’s a choice of vehicle that can fit a bike or two. As a (part-time) cyclist, here’s my favourite five.I’ve ignored van derivatives because I don’t want to drive a van. My selections will carry two people, two bikes and do it within a locked cabin. Some disassembly - removing the front wheel - may be required.TOYOTA PRIUS VCarsguide likes people-movers for their ability to carry not only people but combinations of passengers and cargo. This longer version of the Prius hybrid can seat seven or carry a clutch of bikes. The wagon is also easy to drive, economical and affordable. Performance is modest, as is fuel consumption.Price: from $35,990Thirst: 4.4L/100kmSeats: 7Luggage: 200L (all seats up), 505L (five seats), 1905L (two seats)Vehicle length: 4.6mHONDA CR-VExceptional cabin room for a compact SUV, which is why this and not the more fun to drive Mazda’s CX-5 was a 2012 Car of the Year finalist. New diesel model is the one to watch.Price: from $27,490Thirst: 7.7L/100kmSeats: 5Luggage: 556L/1648LVehicle length: 4.5mSKODA OCTAVIA WAGONNew Octavia gets a pretty face and even better refinement; flexibility. Well priced and the economy is excellent. A left-field choice is Skoda’s Roomster. Yes, we know what it looks like but it’s a unique compact people/bike-mover.Price: from $23,040Thirst: 5.7L/100kmSeats: 5Luggage: 588L/1718LVehicle length: 4.7mHONDA JAZZYes, you can have a city and bike-friendly car. Unlike most of its rivals, the baby of this selection has a versatile interior and the "magic seats" allow the rear pews to be split, flipped and folded. Two bikes can be fitted upright, with the front wheels removed. Not bad for a car that fits in the tiniest parking spaces.Price: from $15,990Thirst:  5.8L/100kmSeats: 5Luggage: 337L/1320LVehicle length: 3.9mMITSUBISHI OUTLANDERThe SUV’s bland, almost bulbous styling fits seven seats and the potential for hauling lots of cargo. The flexible folding seats are perfect for loading bicycles. Again, the diesel is the pick.Price: From $27,640Thirst:6.9L/100kmSeats: 7Luggage: 477L/1608LVehicle length: 4.7m

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSHonda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mitsubishi Attrage: Mitsubishi is expected to add the Attrage compact four door – effectively a Mirage sedan – to its local lineup in the second half of 2014, to go head to head with other compact sedans like the Holden Barina sedan, Honda City, and Nissan Almera.(Approximately $15,000)Proton GSC: In Q3, Proton will bring its Volkswagen Up-rivalling GSC (Global Small Car) to Australia just months after its upcoming global debut. Previewed by the Proton Emas concepts that have been doing the rounds since 2010, the production model’s name is yet to be confirmed, and will likely arrive with a price under $13,000. (Approximately $12,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. (Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSProton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)  

Sharper styling, a new hybrid system and a futuristic cabin aim to put musical excitement back into Honda's clever Jazz. It comes to Australia in June with a more daunting task - to equal or better the best sales year in Jazz's history. Details of the 2014 Jazz - Fit for the Japanese and US market - have been revealed, showing a slightly bigger car with more aggressive styling though retaining smart features such as the “magic seats” cargo concept, sharply raked bonnet and the short front overhang. Honda hasn't announced any new engine changes except for the hybrid that will become more like the Toyota Prius unit, allowing the car to be driven on battery power alone. The third generation Jazz is expected in Australia by the second half of next year and, says Honda Australia director Stephen Collins, will include the new hybrid. “We're planning on the petrol models and the hybrid,” he says. “Engine details are still a bit sketchy but we're confident the new Jazz will retain all the virtues of the current model.” Collins predicts pricing will remain “very competitive” and that there will be no change to how and where the car is marketed. But Australia has thrown the next Jazz a major challenge - to equal or better the sales of 2007 when 12,000 of the light cars were sold. “We're looking to do those sales figures again and to do that we have to make the car as competitive as possible,” Collins says. Honda Australia will source the new Jazz from Thailand, ending a ping-pong shipping route to Australia between Japan and Thailand as natural disasters sequentially affected factories in both countries. External changes of the new hatchback include dramatic creases in the side panels, perimeter tail lights, a solid grille panel, shallower headlight design and a more slanted bonnet. The cabin is completely overhauled, adding better materials and cleaning up the dashboard with the addition of a central touch-screen monitor. The new Jazz will include a hybrid but it will be unlike the current model. It will also be the first with a new gearbox that will eventually be adopted by other Honda models. Honda has moved on from its long-standing Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) design that uses a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engine assisted by two small electric motors. IMA is currently used in the Civic, Jazz and CR-Z models. The new hybrid has a 1.5-litre engine - a modified version of that in the current model - and a single electric motor. It is designed for electric-only operation for a short range of about 5km, a feat unavailable on the current car. In a report in “Automotive News”, Honda claims 2.7 litres/100km from the new hybrid under the generous Japanese fuel test cycle. That equates to about a 30 per cent improvement on the current Jazz Hybrid. It is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, replacing the current car's CVT auto, which helps get such a low fuel consumption. News of the dual-clutch box in favour of the CVT auto used in previous hybrids points directly at work on such a transmission for the 2015 Civic Type R - a car Honda says is coming but won't announce a launch date - and possibly extend it for use in other models. No other details of the transmission are available and Collins can't confirm it. But he says though he has nothing concrete about a new Civic Type R, he wants it. “If and when it's available, we'll be at the front of the queue,” he says. He also says the flagship $76,000-plus Legend saloon is being run out with only a handful left in Australia. “Production (in Japan) has finished and the car won't be replaced,” he says. Honda Australia finally gets a diesel CR-V SUV, in automatic and manual, later this year. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel is also sold in the UK and is a bigger version of the 1.6-litre diesel in the Civic. This reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling  

Technology gets cheaper as it becomes more common. Flat-screen TVs are a prime example -- once only found in a corner of high-end electronics stores, these days they are to be found in the supermarket trolley among the fish fingers and soap powder packets. Petrol/electric hybrid vehicles are going the same way thanks to efficiencies and economies of scale in the industry. Honda introduced the first hybrid vehicle, the Insight, to Australia in 2001 when it sold for almost $50,000. Now the cheapest example of the genre has just hit the Australian market and it comes from the same company. At $22,990, plus on-roads, the Honda Jazz Hybrid in price trumps its closest rival, the Toyota Prius c, by a grand. TECHNOLOGY The powertrain of the new Jazz is shared by the latest Insight – a 1.3-litre petrol engine and electric motor combined with a continuously variable transmission – with which the maker claims fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 107 g/km on the combined urban/highway cycle. The 1.3-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine puts out 65 kW of power at 5800 rpm and 121Nm of torque at 4500 rpm, while Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system, comprising an electric motor, starter and generator, delivers 10 kW at 1500 rpm and 78 Nm of torque at 1000 rpm. Over the past decade, the IMA battery pack and control unit have evolved and become more compact and lightweight, ensuring the car’s practicality is not sacrificed in the hybrid. The battery has an eight-year unlimited kilometre warranty and can be recycled through a Honda dealership. The petrol engine does its bit to save fuel too. During deceleration, for example, when the cylinders are under no load, combustion is completely cut out, enabling the IMA to increase energy recovery to charge the battery. This Variable Cylinder Management is also used to shut all four cylinders when only a little torque is required – during low-speed cruising for example. In this mode the Jazz Hybrid is powered by the electric motor only, with the pistons running idle; no fuel is used and no CO2 emitted. A Multi-Information Display informs the driver how the car is being powered – by the engine, electric motor or both. After working on the car’s management system the team was able to cut the differences to 12 per cent. The cabin has similarities with the conventional Jazz. The dashboard incorporates a version of the Honda Eco Assist function, which uses ambient lighting of the speedometer to tell drivers how their driving style is impacting on fuel economy – blue for bad; green for good. DESIGN On the outside there’s little to tell the hybrid from the conventional Jazz. Differences include Hybrid headlights with a chrome-blue surround, clear rear LED tail lights, chrome-blue front grille and a chrome tailgate garnish. The Hybrid also has its own palette of colours – Alabaster Silver, Fresh Lime Green, Rallye Red, Taffeta White and Polished Metal. Honda Jazz features include what the company modestly calls ‘Magic Seats’. These can be configured in 18 ways allowing room for up 722 litres of gear to be carted. The Hybrid can take up to five on firm, quality material upholstered seats, with space in the cargo area for 223 litres (two suit cases) of luggage. Head room and leg room are good to generous all round. Other standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels; Bluetooth and USB connectivity; and Vehicle Stability Assist stability and traction control, six airbags and Honda’s ACE body structure. ECONOMY On a run of more than 100 kilometres in Sydney suburban and country driving during the media launch the Jazz Hybrid recorded around six litres of petrol per hundred kilometres. That is 33 per cent over the numbers measured in a laboratory. During development of the Jazz engineers found there were significant differences in the fuel economy achieved between drivers – at an average of 30 km/h, up to 21 per cent. So the driver can make a huge difference to the efficiency of the car. An Eco Assist function helps the driver aim for the ultimate economy from the car in various situations and gives drivers continuous feedback on how their brake and accelerator work is affecting fuel consumption and impact on the environment. A stop/start engine function also plays its part. In the Econ mode, which in the Jazz, is brought into action by pressing an Econ switch, power output is limited (except during hard acceleration); driver acceleration action is smoothed along with the CVT shift pattern; regenerative brake energy is increased; air-conditioning recirculates more often; fan power is reduced more frequently; and during idle stop the air-con cuts out. Buyers are expected to be made up of mainly tech savvy, environmentally conscious females wanting practicality and versatility in a vehicle. Built in Thailand, the Jazz Hybrid is covered by a three-year 100,000 kilometre warranty, other than the aforementioned extended warranty on the special battery.  

The company that once sold the most expensive hybrid car in Australia – the bug-shaped Honda Insight that cost $48,990 when it went on sale in 1999 – has cut the cost of the technology by more than half in a little more than a decade.The price of a hybrid car has snuck closer to the $20,000 mark, with the new Honda Jazz hybrid undercutting the baby Toyota Prius C by $1000 with a RRP of $22,990.But don’t break open the bubbly just yet: it will still take at least 12 years to pay off the $7000 price difference between a Honda Jazz Hybrid and the most fuel-efficient petrol-only Jazz model.Based on the national distance average of 15,000km a year, the Honda Jazz Hybrid would use 375 litres less fuel than the standard Jazz annually, equating to a fuel bill saving of $562.50 a year based on the price of premium unleaded at $1.50 per litre. (See the table below).The arrival of the Honda Jazz hybrid is also likely to reignite debate about whether it is in fact a hybrid. It is 13 per cent thirstier than the Toyota Prius C hatch (Honda: 4.5L/100km versus Toyota 3.9L/100km).Unlike Toyota’s pioneering hybrid technology released in 1997, the Honda hybrid system is unable to move the car from rest on its electric power alone. Instead, the Honda’s smaller electric motor gives the petrol engine a boost once the car is already at cruising speed.Moving from a standstill is when cars use the most fuel. But the hybrid system in the Jazz is largely unchanged from the one Honda released in 1999, albeit adapted to newer models with redesigned battery packs.The new Honda Jazz hybrid arrives in showrooms next week, but it is unlikely to make any impact on the massive sales lead held by fellow Japanese car maker Toyota.Toyota has sold more than 4 million hybrid cars globally since 1997, and 1 million of those were sold last year alone. It took Honda 13 years to eclipse the 1 million mark, which it achieved in September last year.THE METHOD IN THE HYBRID MADNESS:Honda Jazz HybridPrice: from $22,990Engine: 1.3-litre petrol engine, 10kW electric hybrid motor assists at cruising speedsPower: 72kW/167NmConsumption: 4.5L/100kmFuel used annually: 675 litresAnnual fuel bill: $1012.50Honda Jazz petrolPrice: $15,990Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol enginePower: 73kW/127NmConsumption: 7.0L/100kmFuel used annually: 1050 litresAnnual fuel bill: $1575Price gap in annual fuel bill: $562.50Years to recover the $7000 price premium of the Jazz Hybrid compared with the cheapest model: 12.4 years Fuel use is based on the consumption figures on each car’s fuel rating label and the national average distance travelled of 15,000km a year. Fuel cost is based on $1.50 per litre, even though it will likely climb in excess of that over the next 12 years.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

The Jazz Hybrid, on sale here in early 2013 and priced around $25,000, is the fourth hybrid petrol-electric car from Honda, joining the Civic Hybrid, Insight and the CR-Z coupe.Like the CR-Z and Insight, the Jazz Hybrid uses Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system which couples its petrol engine with an electric motor.It does not need an external power source to be recharged. The battery that powers the electric motor recharges automatically from the energy from braking.Honda claims the Jazz Hybrid has an average fuel consumption of 4.5 litres/100kms and a CO2 emission of 107grams per kilometre. It can travel up to 850km on a single tank of fuel.Honda has also confirmed its new CR-V SUV will be at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney on October 18 and go on sale in November.The CR-V will be available with a choice of front-wheel and all-wheel drive and in petrol and diesel.

Honda will unveil a plug-in version of the Jazz at next month's Tokyo motor show. The Jazz is already available in world markets as a petrol and hybrid version. The plug-in Jazz will be closely modelled on last year's Detroit Auto Show design study. It has a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor. Honda says the car will reach a top speed of 145km/h and a driving range of up to 160km. The battery can be recharged in less than six hours when using a 240-volt outlet.

Honda's stand in Paris features the hybrid Jazz, the latest - and smallest in both size and price - to be added to their growing hybrid stable. Joining the Civic, Insight and CR-Z, the super-mini Jazz hybrid shares their sIMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system, with an electric motor mated to a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine, Under the bonnet, a 98kW/123Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine is joined by a 10kW/78Nm electric motor, with the drive going to the front wheels via a continuously-variable transmission (CVT). It has stop-start technology that temporarily cuts the engine when you halt, with variable cylinder management, which can shut down all the valves to reduce pumping losses when you're driving on the electric motor only. The fuel economy for the Jazz hybrid is estimated at about 3.3L/100km, with CO2 emissions coming in around 85g/km.  The Prius, by comparison, has an official economy figure of 3.9L/100km with emissions of 89g/km. But the big difference for hybrid buyers is likely to be the price. The Jazz goes on sale in Europe early next year and is expected to come in at just $2000 more than the standard Jazz and about $4000 less than the Insight. With a very rough calculation in our market, that would put it at about $21,000 if it came with the $18,000 base model Jazz spec, but with a ceiling of about $25,000 if it was closer to the $21,000 top spec petrol-only Jazz. "It has a good chance of coming here," Honda Australia spokesman Mark Higgins says.  "It's certainly a model we have under consideration and it would be a good addition to the expansion of our hybrid range, which starts with Insight this year and CR-Z next year. "It's too early to talk pricing at this stage, but it would be a small premium for hybrid but obviously there would be long-term savings with that car as well. "Affordable hybrid is what Honda is all about. And if the Jazz hybrid hits our shores it makes the technology available to even more people."

It also intends to have a battery-electric commuter car and a plug-in hybrid in the USA in 2012, although there is no news yet on Australian sales plans for the cars.  Honda is committed to lithium-ion batteries for its next-generation hybrids and is also keen to see a growing line-up of hydrogen-powered fuel-cell cars, says chief executive Takanobu Ito. He outlines the company's plans during his annual mid-year address in Tokyo and says all of Honda's planning is now a reaction to ‘the global shift towards smaller vehicles and greener machines’.  But Ito does not rule out conventional petrol power for halo cars at the brand, giving a renewed commitment to the V6-powered Legend flagship and also hinting on a smaller replacement for the S2000 sports car. "As we are in the midst of a difficult business environment, nothing is more important than going back to Honda’s basic principle, that is, to see things from the customer’s view point, and continue offering products that please our customers," Ito says. He says Honda has set three targets for the next decade: advancing environmental technologies, strengthening the brand's manufacturing system and building a stronger presence in emerging nations.  For Australia, the approach is likely to mean more high-tech Hondas but also a continued value push with cars built in Thailand. Ito is committing Honda to widespread development work as the company recovers from the global financial crisis, through to a smaller diesel engine for Europe, new petrol engines and transmissions, as well as a plug-in hybrid system suitable for mid-to-large vehicles - perhaps even SUVs and pickups - to meet future emission standards in the USA. "In the long-term, fuel-cell electric vehicles will provide the ultimate mobility. And Honda will continue working on the technological advancement of the FCX Clarity as well as our hydrogen refueling systems," Ito says.