When the all new Jazz launches it will drive advanced Honda hybrid innovation from the race track to the road.
Using engineering expertise from its motorsport team, Honda is drawing knowledge from its Formula One Hybrid Power Unit programme to improve the energy efficiency of the brand's e:HEV hybrid system.
The advanced hybrid electrical systems ingeniously recycle energy produced by the brakes and exhaust gases to generate extra boost power for acceleration and to reduce turbo lag.
Last season, Honda's Hybrid Power Unit helped its partner teams, Aston Martin Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso (now known as Scuderia AlphaTauri), achieve a total of three race wins and six podium places.
During the races, Honda's Formula One engineers are constantly assessing and changing the ratio of energy recovered and deployed by the hybrid system to deliver optimum performance. The expertise they have developed in running hybrid power units at optimum efficiency and power output inspires Honda's range of advanced e:HEV powertrains in its passenger cars.
The e:HEV system is newly developed for the Jazz and engineered to deliver optimum fuel efficiency and an enjoyable driving experience.
It consists of two compact, powerful electric motors connected to a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, a lithium-ion battery and an innovative fixed-gear transmission via an intelligent power control unit, which all work harmoniously together to provide a smooth and direct response.
Rather than using a conventional transmission, the Jazz is equipped with a newly-developed Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission with a single fixed-gear ratio to create a direct connection between moving components. The result is a smooth and reassuring transfer of torque with a linear feel during acceleration across all drive modes.
