Anyone who has done the research and learned about the Jazz hybrid system will know that except for a limited window at certain speeds, the engine is never powering the wheels. When it is, say at 60mph and you floor the throttle, the clutch disengages and the system goes back to hybrid mode. It would be far more efficient for the engine to stay at a constant RPM, but, as I said before, Honda engineered in the fake gear changes.Flooring the throttle at, say, 60mph means you want a lot more power than the engine can provide without increasing the revs. The battery will provide a brief surge of power to assist the acceleration with the faster-running engine then taking over.
Had my EX since the end of last week
Regarding the safety features, I thought I'd at least give RDMS the benefit of the doubt and leave it on at first, but I no longer do so. Going along on roads that I've driven for the last 30 years without the slightest hint of ever being in danger of going off into the verge, with RDMS I was getting shuddering steering wheel and warning flashes coming up all the time, and I actually found it dangerous and stress inducing. It's never a nice feeling wondering what is my car going to do next. There is no way I could live with that, so now I just turn it off every time. Just 4 clicks and it's done, takes seconds, then you're free to drive your car without the anxiety that it's going to do something you're not expecting.
Tried KLAS on the motorway and I found it very twitchy, constantly moving the steering wheel when it was totally unnecessary, so I doubt very much I will use that again.
Compare the performance specifications for the Jazz and the HRV ,as they might relate to engine use,and revs and noise.
Engine maximum power HRV - 79 kw at 6000 - 6400 rpm Jazz 72kw at 5500 -6400 rpm
engine maximum torq HRV - 131 nm at 4500 -5000 revs Jazz - the same
Electric motor max power HRV - 96 kw Jazz 80 kw
Electric motor torque HRV -253 nm Jazz the same
0-62 HRV - 10.6 seconds Jazz 9.4 seconds
top speed HRV - 106 mph Jazz 108 mph
Sound level drive-by HRV - 66 db Jazz 56.3 db
These performance statistics dont tell the whole story. But it seems Honda have had to increase engine power to feed an upgraded electric motor to cope with extra weight .
And, on paper at least ,still dont quite match the jazz in road performance and silence -(but in real world driving it may indeed be better)
figures taken from the Honda site (which are not always correct)
I turn RDMS off every powerup. Easy when you know how.
Additional observations after first tank refill at 470 miles.
d) To my ears, the MkII had better sound from the speakers. (I have hearing impairment.)
b) RDMS really doesn't like grass verge country lanes.It does! It just doesn't like you going over the grass (or any) verge!
Haven't turned it off yet - maybe I am just getting used to it - but I now have to drive all the time with two hands on the wheel.
it prevented me from accidentally ending up in the verge of the road.
3 ) I don't like brake assist as if leaves your brake lights on blinding the driver behind. I use the parking brake lever so the lights go out.Can i please ask where you purchased the Black cup holder trims
8 ) Agree, I recently changed the white trimmed dash cup holders for black ones. Not so in your face IMO.
Additional observations after first tank refill at 470 miles.
d) To my ears, the MkII had better sound from the speakers. (I have hearing impairment.)
Are you aware that the Crosstar variant has an upgraded sound system? I don’t know about earlier Jazz models but compared to my two previous cars, a Land Rover and a Golf, the Crosstar system is much better. It wasn’t an influencing factor when I bought the car but I was very pleasantly surprised when I first turned the radio on!