Honda Jazz – cheapest Japanese Hybrid

Honda Jazz at Paris later this year.

Honda’s compact Jazz (Fit) gets a hybrid version, to be on display at the Paris auto show in September later this year.

The new hybrid will employ the same 1.3-liter i-VTEC SOHC aluminum alloy combustion engine and electric motor used in the Insight hybrid. Details are scarce, but the powertrain on its own develops 98 horses. Jazz should offer comparable fuel economy and CO2 emissions like the Insight.

The Honda Jazz Hybrid is differentiated from the normal one by a new grille, different bumpers, chrome taillight accent, headlights with a blue surround and a hybrid-specific Lime Green Metallic paint option. The interior has optional leather trim and a blue-lit instrument panel. It’s also available in Lime Green metallic paint color. In Europe the car should start to sell in early 2011, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.

A hybrid in a small package, the popularity of which should depend on how much of a hike there is in the Jazz’s price. Honda says that the Jazz will be able to run on its electric motor alone under “some medium and low speed conditions”.

Mr. Naughton who is a Honda spokesman said that Honda had no plans to stop offering the hybrid Civic and Insight for sale in Canada. There had been some news media speculation in Quebec that those vehicles might be pulled because of disappointing sales. “Inventory may be running low in Canada, but we will be shipping cars to any dealers that request them,” he said.

But as for now there is no plans for now to import the Hybrid Jazz to the US…