Motor Authority - blog Tag: jazz

Honda today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z hybrid sports car in February 2010 and a Fit hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models and help it become one of the ‘greenest’ automakers in the world.

Both cars will be powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), also found in the Insight and Civic hybrids. In the case of the Insight, the IMA incorporates a 13hp (10kW) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) – recapturing and storing kinetic energy... Honda today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z hybrid sports car in February 2010 and a Fit hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models and help it become one of the ‘greenest’ automakers in the world. Both cars will be powered by Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), also found in the Insight and Civic hybrids. In the case of the Insight, the IMA incorporates a 13hp (10kW) electric motor and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) – recapturing and storing kinetic energy from vehicle braking and deceleration and supplying additional power for acceleration when needed. The CR-Z will be heavily influenced by 2007’s concept car of the same name and is expected to make its world debut in production trim at this October’s Tokyo Motor Show. The new model is currently being designed and engineered in Europe, its expected key market, and is rumored to feature a 140hp (105kW) peak power rating from its hybrid drivetrain. Not much is known about the Fit hybrid but previous reports have suggested that it could cost about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale late next year. Honda also confirmed today that it is working on a new hybrid system designed for mid and fullsize vehicles but no release dates have been mentioned yet.2009 Honda FitHonda CR-Z Concept Read More

Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the recently launched Insight, and this is likely to be followed by a performance hybrid based on the CR-Z concept car from 2007’s Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit (Jazz) hatchback.

The Fit Hybrid is especially surprising considering Honda's previously held view that there was no point adding a hybrid option to an already frugal car, but a new... Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the recently launched Insight, and this is likely to be followed by a performance hybrid based on the CR-Z concept car from 2007’s Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit (Jazz) hatchback. The Fit Hybrid is especially surprising considering Honda's previously held view that there was no point adding a hybrid option to an already frugal car, but a new report claims the car is coming and will be on sale by the second half of next year - one and a half years earlier than previously thought. On top of that, Japan’s Nikkei business daily is also reporting that the new CR-Z and Fit hybrids will be joined by a new Civic hybrid by the end of 2012. The key to their success will be the lower costs of their hybrid systems, which in turns means lower price tags for consumers. To keep costs low, Honda engineers have focused on more efficient manufacturing processes for high-cost features such as the batteries and hybrid control modules. Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando said the carmaker has not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the Fit hybrid, but the reports claim the Fit hybrid will retail for about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale next year.2009 Honda Fit Read More

While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified vehicles. The headline concepts are a pair of Sports Modulo cars based on the S2000 and Fit (Jazz).

Modulo is Honda's Japanese-market factory customization, and the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and Sports Modulo Fit Concept are intended to show what could be in the works for future customization packages. The aggressive and flamboyant exterior styling is matched inside both cars with upgraded materials and finishes. Little in the way of details is yet known about the... While U.S. carmakers prepare for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Honda is readying a range of concepts to show off at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon, which celebrates Japan's modified vehicles. The headline concepts are a pair of Sports Modulo cars based on the S2000 and Fit (Jazz). Modulo is Honda's Japanese-market factory customization, and the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and Sports Modulo Fit Concept are intended to show what could be in the works for future customization packages. The aggressive and flamboyant exterior styling is matched inside both cars with upgraded materials and finishes. Little in the way of details is yet known about the two cars, though Honda has released these images. Full information will come once the Tokyo Auto Salon gets underway on January 9. Several other concepts will be joining the Sports Modulo vehicles: a Racing Modulo Civic Type R competition car, a pair of Life and Crossroad Styling Study Models, and a range of cars and motorcycles featuring Honda's full range of upgrade equipment, audio and navigation systems and other accessories.Honda at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Salon Read More

The vagaries of the automotive market in the current economic situation are such that while some models, and even entire brands, sell poorly, some individual cars are going gangbusters. Thanks to its solid positioning as a functional, cute, inexpensive and efficient hatchback plus Honda's reputation for reliability, the Fit (Jazz to the rest of the world) is doing quite well in the U.S. - so well that Honda may have to find new ways to boost supply.

The current stockpile of Fits for the U.S. would last just 19 days if not replenished, and that figure is "much too low" according to Dan Bonawitz, Honda's vice president of corporate planning... The vagaries of the automotive market in the current economic situation are such that while some models, and even entire brands, sell poorly, some individual cars are going gangbusters. Thanks to its solid positioning as a functional, cute, inexpensive and efficient hatchback plus Honda's reputation for reliability, the Fit (Jazz to the rest of the world) is doing quite well in the U.S. - so well that Honda may have to find new ways to boost supply. The current stockpile of Fits for the U.S. would last just 19 days if not replenished, and that figure is "much too low" according to Dan Bonawitz, Honda's vice president of corporate planning and logistics, reports MarketWatch. "We can't fill all our dealer orders," said Bonawitz. In order to bring supply up to dealer demand levels, Honda is now "considering all options" including possibly building the Fit in the U.S. Honda's flexible supply chain has already allowed it to shift production from slow-selling models to more core products, such as the Civic. Even as Honda's overall sales dropped 28% in October, along with the rest of the industry, the Fit rose by the same percentage.2009 Honda Fit Read More