Honda To keep developing Hybrids?

[John Ratsey]

Our Jazz battery will charge within 2 minutes and will also deplete in a few minutes. A full cycle, when driving along the motorway, will take 4 miles. Luckily, our battery will last for much more than those 2,000 cycles. It is less energy dense by design to allow probably 50,000 cycles. Also, it will keep itself in a very safe limit to minimize wear.

I would note that adding more cells to increase the overall watt-hour capacity while maintaining the current total power limits will reduce the maximum current per cell so the energy management wouldn't need to change. I think most here are looking for more duration rather than more peak power.

[5thcivic]

I agree about the Prelude, really stupid to simulate a completely different technology.

May as well take a cd player cut off the output top and bottom frequencies, reduce the stereo separation enormously, and add some light hiss, some random pops and crackles and say experience your old turntable.

[Hicardo]

Yeah but we all know analogue is superior to digital 

[Marco1979]

I really like the S+ shift of the Prelude. It is not just simulated gear shift; the software links engine rpm to speed so that the rpm actually matches a manual car with fixed gears. It can be fun! If you want a more sporty feel along some winding roads. It is this type of thing that can get the real petrolheads into a hybrid.

Not that Honda is going to listen to me, but I would like an Si of the Jazz with engine specs similar to the HRV and with added S+. 

[Lord Voltermore]

I used to notice the 'simulated' gear changes on my 2021 car . Didnt mind it at all.  I dont notice it much on my  2024 car. Maybe I'm used to it now, or its because my hearing is 3 years older 

But I think you need to be careful not to confuse simulated changes  with  genuine changes in noise level due to changes in ICE running speed. The mk4 can have 'sweet spots 'Maybe more than one depending on relative speed and load. Easing back only slightly on the throttle to remain within the sweet spot  can allow  the ICE to drop the speed ,noise level and fuel consumption it needs to keep the HV battery charged. It may even prompt it to go into EV mode  more often.
  I often use this technique when going uphill  or deciding the most economical cruising speed. A slight easing back on throttle ,or driving only a mph or two slower, sometimes results in a big drop in engine noise with little or no drop in performance. The affect on fuel consumption is immediately visible on the constant consumption display bar.
The car may change engine speeds automatically   without you consciously trying ,eg if you just happen to ease off the throttle  . These  could be mistaken for a quasi gear change. 

The mk4 responds very well to gentle driving techniques.    Also still performs  quite well if you just want to drive it like you stole it      


Do the flappy paddles on the sport make much difference to the driver experience?  I imagine that having frequent changes in 'engine braking' levels might partially simulate the sporting affects of a manual gearbox   , and if used  to the optimum  might increase  the regenerative braking contribution to recharging  .I dont use B mode much so not sure I would use flappy paddles often  .  But you never know until you have them   

[Downsizer]

I think the beauty of the iHeV system is that there are no gears. The engine revs simply vary to provide the power requested, or to recharge the battery.

[Pine]

I remember having the paddles on my Mk1 Jazz.  Living in a hilly area I used them frequently to drop down a gear or two to get engine braking to control speed going downhill.

[Jazzfan49]

I remember having the paddles on my Mk1 Jazz.  Living in a hilly area I used them frequently to drop down a gear or two to get engine braking to control speed going downhill.

Yes I remember that well using the 7 speed function on the steering wheel it was great fun, the cvt box was so clever that when doing F1 downchanges the system was so clever that you could not over rev the engine by shifting to too low a gear, the upward gear changes in semi auto were seamless and if I remember correctly due to the 7 steps you didn't get the CVT high revs, all in all a very clever system. 

[Downsizer]

I’m not a follower of F1 motor racing, but I read this weekend that the current regulations are for a 1.5 litre engine in a full hybrid system, (like the Jazz!). However, they apparently add fake engine noises, presumably with fake gear changes, to please the fans. I’m glad we’re spared that. I think Honda make the engines for Red Bull.

[Jazzik]

For the 2026 F1 season, Red Bull is introducing its own power unit, the Red Bull Ford Powertrains (RBPT) H001, developed in partnership with Ford at their new Milton Keynes campus. This hybrid engine moves away from Honda, featuring a 1.6-liter V6 paired with a significantly boosted, 350kW electric motor.

However, they apparently add fake engine noises, presumably with fake gear changes, to please the fans. I’m glad we’re spared that. I think Honda make the engines for Red Bull.

As for who makes the engines, see above.
And your Jazz doesn't produce (real) engine noises and doesn't fake gear changes...?

[Downsizer]

And your Jazz doesn't produce (real) engine noises and doesn't fake gear changes...?

No fake gear changes and I rarely hear the engine - that’s why I’m glad!

[Jazzik]

And your Jazz doesn't produce (real) engine noises and doesn't fake gear changes...?

No- that’s why I’m glad!

That's a very special Jazz Mk4 you have! I think they all have a combustion engine that makes noise (when running).
Furthermore, every Jazz Mk4 imitates/fakes "shifting" when accelerating quickly.
Or perhaps I missed that there's also a different, fully electric version of our Jazz?

[CB72]

Well, what's those gear changing like noises when I pull away quickly or going uphill? Sounds like fake sounds to me!

[Marco1979]

The sound actually is the real engine sound, but the engine is programmed to vary the revs a bit as if it does change gear. So you hear the engine going towards 6000 rpm, then drop instantly to 5000 ish and then slowly towards 6000 again.
So real noise, but no mechanical meaning, just the generator being driven following a programmed scheme.

[Downsizer]

I think the revs change according to the power demand, not to imitate gear changing. In defensive driving I am normally only made aware of the engine cutting in and out by the EV symbol in the driver display, not the engine noise. I don’t have a rev counter.