Honda Fit/Jazz Hybrid Ready to Invade Europe

[xcel]

If it arrives at $1,000 over a similarly equipped Jazz, it may do ok. At $3,000 over, it will languish amongst a sea of compact European Super Diesels

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug 29 2010

Honda Jazz Hybrid.

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 somewhat dependable technology with over half a million vehicles on the road.

The new model will feature the same engine as the Insight hybrid, the 1.3L i-VTEC, 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 while still spinning the engine 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, Honda promises that the Jazz Hybrid will maintain similar fuel economy as that of the Insight-II.

Visually the Jazz hybrid is distinguished from the current Jazz range with revised headlights, 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 with prices and full specifications announced later this year.

[cswee1932]

Awesome!!!!

[Butterfly Mage]

"Somewhat dependable"? I've found Honda products to be "very dependable".

[RobertSmalls]

It will be interesting to see what the price and mpg turn out to be. If it delivers more usable cargo space, a lower price, and similar mileage to the second-gen Insight, it will seriously cut in to Insight-II sales.

[royrose]

The new model will feature the same engine as the Insight hybrid, the 1.3L i-VTEC, combined with a CVT gearbox with an electric motor sandwiched between the two to create a parallel hybrid system.

Why do they call it a parallel Hybrid? Isn't it an in line mild hybrid? I thought that in a parallel hybrid the car can be powered by the electric motor without the ICE turning at all, as in the Toyota Hybrids. Or do I have my terminology wrong?

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by royrose

Why do they call it a parallel Hybrid? Isn't it an in line mild hybrid? I thought that in a parallel hybrid the car can be powered by the electric motor without the ICE turning at all, as in the Toyota Hybrids. Or do I have my terminology wrong?

Parallel means two or more different kinds of engine or motor used (directly) to drive the wheels at the same time.

It is, but that only describes the arrangement and the fact that the engine can't be stopped.

That's a full parallel hybrid.

Yes, unless I have mine wrong.

[paratwa]

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

Parallel means two or more different kinds of engine or motor used (directly) to drive the wheels at the same time.

It is, but that only describes the arrangement and the fact that the engine can't be stopped.

That's a full parallel hybrid.

Yes, unless I have mine wrong.

This matches my knowledge too. Whereas the Chevy Volt is a a "series hybrid" because while there there IS a internal combustion engine AND an electric motor, only the electric motor drives the wheels, the ICE only powers a generator that makes more electricity for the electric drive motor(s).

[msantos]

Originally Posted by royrose

Why do they call it a parallel Hybrid? Isn't it an in line mild hybrid? I thought that in a parallel hybrid the car can be powered by the electric motor without the ICE turning at all, as in the Toyota Hybrids. Or do I have my terminology wrong?

The definition of "parallel" refers to the hybrid architecture which as defined above, fully qualifies Honda's system as a parallel architecture.

Conversely, Toyota's HSD system implements a parallel/series architecture; while the Chevy Volt is fully qualified as a series hybrid.

However, within each architecture you have what is called degrees of hybridization and the current Honda hybrids are categorized as Power Assist Hybrids and NOT mild hybrids. The mainstream press following the lead of "misguided" marketing people are often faulted for spreading and perpetuating this mis-information.

Because Honda hybrids implement a gasoline engine of reduced displacement that is offset by a significant torque boosting high-energy-density electric motor they are called Power Assist Hybrids. They are designated as such primarily because they depend so heavily on the contributions from the electric motor to insure adequate all-around driveability.

Another wrinkle that recent Honda hybrids introduced, is that they can indeed sustain electric only propulsion which often gets some people to call them "full hybrids". Sadly, it is just as incorrect to call a late model Honda hybrid a mild hybrid as it is to call it a full hybrid.

However, a true example of a mild hybrid implementation can be found in GM's BAS systems as it only provides a start-top system + minimal contribution of motive power by the electric motor.

In the order of effectiveness, the degrees of hybridization are listed as follows:

- Full or strong hybrids
- Power Assist Hybrids
- Mild Hybrids


Cheers;

MSantos