More power for the little ones

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Honda has an ambitious strategy for the future: 30 electrified models by 2030. Some vehicles are currently offered with the sophisticated e:HEV hybrid system. The Japanese automaker is bringing three new partially and fully electric SUVs to Europe this year, following the Honda e, the only all-electric model to date.

However, in addition to the new models, the existing product range is also being revised. Now it’s the turn of the small car Jazz. The 4.09-metre short little boy offers more power, an overhauled hybrid system and now even a sports version. We were able to get the Advance Sport behind the wheel a few weeks before its official launch.

More power in optics too

All model variants get more power by optimizing the e:HEV driver introduced in the Jazz in 2020. In the system, the gasoline engine acts only as a generator, while the electric motor alone provides propulsion. The electric motor of the Jazz has been increased from 10 kW (13 hp) to 90 kW (122 hp). The 1.5-litre petrol engine now has 78 kW (107 hp). The maximum torque remains unchanged at 253 Nm (electric motor) or 131 Nm (petrol engine). Depending on variant, the Jazz accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.4 to 9.7 seconds and has a top speed of 175 km/h. Standard consumption is 4.6 l/100 km.

Visually, however, not much has changed in the small car: fresh colours, new faux leather materials in the interior, new radiator grille design, darker headlight bezels and alloy wheels. Having a more rustic style, the Jazz Crosstar gets a more robust exterior design with silver bumper inserts and matching side skirts. Weighing just under 1,300 kilograms, all Jazz versions now have a trailer hitch with a trailer load of 500 kilograms. In addition, the small car with between 300 and 1200 liters in the trunk remains a true load master in its class.

sporty cornering racer

The Comfort model version is replaced by the Advance Sport. This gets a sportier radiator grille, a more dynamic front lip and 16-inch alloy wheels, alongside additional styling elements in the interior. The spring rate at the front has been reduced by eight percent and at the rear by 20 percent – with stiffer shock absorbers this provides more traction and more dynamic handling.

As befits a Stromer, the Jazz sprints away at a red light in no time. The Junior makes a good impression on the winding country roads of the test lap: acceleration is fast, the chassis is more solid than the previous model, but still comfortable enough. The interaction of the engines is often not noticed: in city traffic and at low speeds, we turn silently electrically – the combustion engine howls to help only when accelerating uphill and hard. Thanks to the recovery during braking, the Jazz moves almost like a regular electric car.

Revised Jazz models will be available to dealers over the next few weeks and will be available from mid-2023. Jazz Elegance starts at CHF 29,590 and Advance is available for an additional CHF 1,000. The sports version starts at 32,890 francs, the Jazz Crosstar starts at 33,090 francs.

Source: Blick