New 2011 Honda Jazz

With the addition of the Honda Jazz Hybrid model, the rest of the Jazz model range has been given some styling and detail changes to enhance its already strong B-segment credentials.

Over 500,000 customers have felt the benefits of the innovative sector crossing Honda Jazz and the latest changes to the range will only enhance the experience. The focus has been on maintaining the key customer benefits of flexibility, practicality and reliability and enhancing fuel economy, emissions, ride comfort and style.

One of the biggest changes is the return of the CVT transmission to the Honda Jazz range with the first European use of a different form of variable transmission. The CVT in the Honda Jazz has been enhanced by fitting a torque converter to the gearbox, giving increased efficiency and improved control at low speeds.

The use of a slope sensor allows the box to decide when the car should gently creep forward and when it should not, helping the driver retain maximum control. The CVT-based transmission proved very popular in the previous generation of the Honda Jazz and its return was prompted by requests from loyal customers who enjoyed its smooth shifting characteristics and ease of driving.

This gearbox is different to the one used in the Honda Jazz Hybrid model, which because of its different requirements does not adopt a torque converter unit.

Inside the most noticeable change is the adoption of a darker dashboard material in a single colour, which is combined with a new seat fabric to enhance the ambience of the cabin. Dash lighting is now unified in a single orange colour, which provides a strong contrast with the darker dashboard. Chrome rings now define the air vents, instruments and climate control display (where fitted). For the first time in the European Honda Jazz, leather seats are available as a factory fitted option.

To compliment the launch of the Jazz Hybrid model, the conventionally powered Honda Jazz has also had some small reductions in CO2 values and improved fuel economy. The new CVT gearbox has matched the economy and emissions of the previous i-Shift 1.4-litre model, with a CO2 value below that of the manual model at just 125 g/km. The 1.2-litre engined car, now emits just 123 g/km of CO2 and uses 5.3 l/100km of petrol. The larger 1.4 engine range has emissions starting at 126 g/km with 5.5 l/100km fuel economy on a combined cycle.