Our electrification journey
Honda has continuously evolved its e:HEV technology, drawing on more than 20 years’ experience of designing, building and refining hybrid drive systems. The Jazz became the first Honda model to be sold exclusively across Europe with an advanced hybrid powertrain when it launched in 2020, with HR-V, CR-V and mainstream Civic models following suit. This completed Honda’s pledge to have electrified its entire European automotive range by 2022.
The e:HEV system consists of two compact, energy-dense electric motors connected to a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery and an innovative fixed-gear transmission via an intelligent power control unit – all of which work harmoniously together to provide a smooth and direct response. Honda has developed these high-speed electric motors to be as lightweight, compact, and efficient as possible.
This advanced e:HEV hybrid set-up seamlessly selects from three continuously interchangeable drive modes:
- EV Drive: Lithium-ion battery supplying direct power to the electric propulsion motor
- Hybrid Drive: Engine supplying power to the electric generator motor, which in turn supplies the electric propulsion motor
- Engine Drive: Petrol engine connects directly to the wheels via a lock-up clutch
- When driving in most urban locations, optimum
efficiency is achieved through seamless transitions between EV and Hybrid
Drive, while Engine Drive is used for motorway speeds. The latter is
supplemented by an on-demand peak power ‘boost’ from the electric propulsion
motor for faster acceleration, with 253Nm of torque that also provides
substantial low-speed acceleration.In Hybrid Drive, excess power from the petrol
engine can be diverted to recharge the battery via the generator motor, while a
similar effect can also be achieved in EV Drive, harvesting energy through
regenerative braking.
Switching between the three driving modes is
seamless, with minimised lag during transitions. This is thanks to an automatic
transmission that creates a direct connection between moving components,
resulting in a smooth and reassuring transfer of torque with a linear feel
during acceleration across all drive modes.
In addition, control software ensures the
engine can provide maximum torque for longer when accelerating, even at lower
revs – similar to the output from a multi-stage-type transmission. This
optimised torque output, with more responsive and consistent delivery, is a key
component of Jazz’s fun-to-drive character.
To maximise efficiency in Engine Drive mode,
the engine can run at its most efficient across a range of output
speeds. When more power is required, the ratio of the transmission can be
changed to allow the engine to turn at the RPM which produces the greatest
output. This also improves engine sound when more torque is demanded and avoids
unwanted noise from overrevving.
Keeping you safe
Enhanced Honda SENSING technologies include:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System: Applies the brakes when the Jazz cuts across or turns into the path of a car. It can also detect pedestrians and cyclists when there is no street lighting at night.
- Adaptive Cruise Control: Manages the gap to the car in front and allows the car to follow vehicles at low speeds when in congestion (Low Speed Follow)
- Lane Keep Assist: Helps keep the Jazz centred in a detected lane, applying steering assistance if it the vehicle is drifting out and operating from 72km/h urban and rural roads – as well as multi-lane highways
- Road Departure Mitigation System: Helps the driver stay on the road, by alerting them if the vehicle approaches the outer edge of the pavement (into a kerb, grass or gravel border), an oncoming vehicle, or drifting into another lane without indicating
- Blind Spot Information: Standard on Advance and Advance Sport grades and comes complete with Cross Traffic Monitor
- Traffic Sign Recognition System: Uses the front wide-view camera to detect speed limit and ‘no passing’ road signs whenever the vehicle is moving forward and displays these on the seven-inch LCD display. Two road signs can be displayed at any one time – the right side only shows speed limit signs, while the left shows ‘No Passing’ signs and speed limits with additional information, such as weather conditions
- Intelligent Speed Limiter: Recognises traffic signs and sets the speed limit accordingly. If a slower speed is shown compared to what the vehicle is doing, an indicator on the display will flash with an alarm sound and the system will gradually decreases speed
- Auto High-Beam: Works at speeds of more than 25mph to automatically switch high beam head lights on or off depending on oncoming and preceding vehicles (cars, trucks and motorcycles), bicycles and environmental light
The driver can decide how much driver assistance information from the above is displayed on the seven-inch TFT liquid crystal display (LCD) instrument binnacle.
Passive safety engineered into the Jazz structure
The Jazz features Honda's proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure technology, which forms the foundation for excellent passive safety performance, enhancing occupant crash protection.
A network of connected structural elements distributes crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, reducing the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. ACE™ not only protects the car and its passengers by dispersing the collision energy, it also reduces the collision energy against the other vehicle too. This helps protect occupants from collisions with large and small vehicles alike.
Passive safety is as important to Honda as active safety to protect occupants in the event of an accident. Jazz owners and passengers are protected by 10 airbags, including two in the rear seats and a central one installed in the front seat. The latter is unique to the Jazz in its class and activates in the event of a collision to reduce impact caused by contact between passengers. The Jazz is also fitted with whiplash-mitigating front headrests as an additional safety precaution.