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2021 Honda Jazz Sings ICE Out of the Way, to Come Only as Hybrid

European roads like Jazz. The Japanese-made car is a continental hit, having been at the top of the shopping list for European Honda car buyers for years. But now a significant change is coming.
2021 Honda Jazz and Jazz Crosstar 31 photos
Photo: Honda
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Until now, the Jazz, also sold as the Fit in certain markets, has been doing the rounds using good old ICE engines. Now, with the advent of the fourth generation, Europeans are about to make the forced switch to electrified powertrains.

That’s because with the launch of the new Jazz, the vehicle will only be available with a hybrid powertrain comprising a good-old internal combustion engine and two electric motors. Its exact power output and other specifications were not yet announced, but Honda promised “EV-like driving dynamics.“

This configuration of the powertrain is called in Honda speak e:HEV. It will be the name used from now on for its electrified vehicles sold in Europe. That’s because by 2022, all of the carmaker’s models on this market are to have such powertrains.

Starting with this new variant of the Jazz, a slightly bigger and sportier interpretation will see daylight. It is called the Crosstar, and it targets customers going for a small car with a crossover look.

The Crosstar will have an increased ride height, a special design for the grille, and integrated roof rails. For some reason, Honda thought it’s best to equip it with water-resistant upholstery as well.

As for the design, the new Jazz features quite the number of changes. First off, the A-pillar is half the width of that on the previous model, making for both an updated look and improved visibility, without compromising torsional rigidity.

Then, the shoulder lines look to have been drawn more vertical, making the entire width of the car seem larger than it actually is.

Honda plans to begin selling the new Jazz in Europe next year. The carmaker did not say whether this new powertrain will be available on other markets as well.

The limited details on the new Jazz as released by Honda can be found in the press release section below.
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press release
About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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