Honda was refreshingly forthright in the press conference for the new Honda Jazz Hybrid.
No, unlike other hybrids, it doesn’t dip below the 100g/km barrier.
Such openness is a characteristic of the eminently approachable and real-world Honda press office team, but still surprised some journos who had their killer question snuffed out by the very person they were going to throw it at.
“We could have got it under,” said the PR man, “but that wasn’t the objective. We were aiming to significantly reduce emissions but still retain all the practicality of the standard Jazz.”
The firm has indeed done this: boot space is unaltered, despite the batteries in the rear, and the genius Magic Seats are also there in tact and untouched.
Compare to the Toyota Auris HSD – not in a ‘we’re better, they’re better’ kind of way, added the PR man, but in a ‘different car, different approach’ manner. “Toyota has aimed at the lowest possible CO2, which means it uses larger batteries.” These encroach into the boot, meaning the standard Auris’ 354-litre boot reduces to 233 litres in the Auris HSD.
As “practicality is the number 1 reason for people buying a Honda Jazz”, you can see why Honda took its alternative approach.
100g/km 100g/km 100g/km
Some Brits may still not get it. See, we’re actually a bit obsessed with sub-100g/km cars in the UK. Yes, it does mean cars get free road tax – but as the penalty for dipping over 100g/km is only £10 per year, Honda’s 104g/km Jazz Hybrid is hardly a financial catastrophe.
(“Also, don’t forget, the Jazz is a global car. Not everyone is focused on 100g/km, like the UK.”)
Besides, there’s another key bonus of the Jazz: it is powered by petrol, unlike nearly every other sub-100g/km CO2 car on sale. As I’ve found out this week, the NOx, Particulates and other emissions of diesels is quite a big issue, which means some ‘clean green’ cars may not be quite as green as the makers claim.
One to be explored in greater depth, I think: come back for more as this ‘ere journo learns all. Not before he’s savoured a bit more of the candid, free-thinking, nothing-to-hide approach of the Honda press office, mind.
+ How Honda justifies the Jazz Hybrid
+ The latest thing to sell cars
