Complementing these excellent structural characteristics, Honda Jazz incorporates excellent pasive safety features comprising standard driver and front passenger SRS airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners; additionally the SE Sport incorporates side airbags. All models feature three three-point rear seat belts to make Honda Jazz a fully-fledged five-seater.

To reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries during rear impacts, a new front seat design has been adopted. The headrests have been moved slightly forward, while the bending characteristics of the upper seat structure provide a more controlled energy-absorbing role to lessen the forces exerted on the neck of the occupant as he or she is pushed back in such situations.

In common with all new Honda models, ISOFIX child seat anchors and top tether are provided on the rear seat.

An unobstructed area between the bonnet and engine, bonnet hinges that compress upon impact, a specially designed front bumper and energy absorbing wiper pivots all contribute to pedestrian safety.




Totally new "Dual Spark" petrol engine

At the heart of the Honda Jazz is an all new 1.4 litre petrol engine. The i-DSI (Dual and Sequential Ignition) unit represents the second phase of Honda's 'next-generation' i-Series of petrol engines.

Whereas the recently launched i-VTEC engines of the Stream and Civic Type-R models have been designed to achieve a balance between high performance and high fuel efficiency, the SOHC i-DSI engine offered in the Jazz pursues the ultimate level of fuel efficiency and compactness without compromising driving pleasure.

Low emissions and outstanding frugality have been made possible by providing each cylinder with a pair of spark plugs mounted diagonally opposite one another within a compact, high-swirl design, combustion chamber. This arrangement accelerates flame propagation to achieve intensive, extremely rapid and highly efficient combustion which generates high pressure and thus high output.

The dual and sequential ignition system optimises the timing of each spark plug based on engine speed and engine load. The intensive combustion at all engine speeds not only controls knocking, but also permits a much higher compression ratio - 10.8:1 - to achieve a higher output with less fuel consumed compared to a conventional design.

Lively performance across all engine speeds combined with outstanding fuel economy (49.6 mpg or 5.7 l/100km), is the result. The 1.4 litre engine delivers 83 PS at 5700 rpm and 119 Nm at 2800 rpm; torque delivery is exceptional and the resultant output curve is both wide and flat to ensure high levels of flexibility during everyday driving.

The compact dimensions and lightweight nature of the new engine also greatly contribute to packaging design flexibility.

Initially the 1.4 litre i-DSI engine will be offered with a 5-speed manual transmission, but a new Honda CVT option, equipped with a 7-speed semi-automatic shift control system - promising excellent fuel economy - will be introduced next summer.

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