The new Honda Jazz e:HEV has been awarded the maximum five-star rating in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety tests, which introduce a range of rigorous new assessments. The Jazz has an advanced all-new body structure and includes as standard a comprehensive suite of active safety technologies and driver aids. This combination of carefully integrated active and passive safety features reinforce the model’s reputation as one of Europe’s safest passenger cars.
Available exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, the new Jazz is the first Honda model in Europe to feature a front centre airbag as standard. The airbag is fitted within the back of the driver’s seat and expands into the space between the driver and passenger, mitigating the potential for front-seat occupant’s heads to collide directly in the event of a side-on impact.
In order to ensure the airbag is accurately placed to deliver maximum protection during deployment, the airbag uses three attachment tethers which guide the airbag around the driver in a curve. To realise this new feature, the engineering team developed the airbag unit to fit within the upper bolster of the newly designed driver’s seat.
The new front centre airbag works in combination with two other features in the event of a side on collision. The seat belt pre-tensioners for both driver and passenger work to reduce lateral occupant movement and are further supported by the centre armrest which has increased in height. The impact of this new approach can significantly reduce injury to the head for both near-side and far-side passengers.
This new airbag is one of 10 in the Jazz e:HEV, which also features a rear-seat i-side Airbag System. This unique double-structure airbag, installed in the rear seat pad, activates to protect rear occupants from impacts against the door and C-pillar in the event of side-on collisions. The airbag is also designed in compact size in order not to detract from the unique magic seat function of the Jazz.
The passive safety features are complemented by the industry-leading Honda SENSING active safety and driver assist technologies, which now includes an improved wider-angle camera with higher definition. This replaces the multi-purpose camera and sensor set-up of the previous-generation Jazz, and recognises a broader range of road surface and traffic characteristics. The Honda SENSING suite, which comes as standard on all Honda models, also includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist System and Road Departure Mitigation system among a host of other features.
When designing and developing the latest Jazz, Honda engineers also deployed the brand’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology that forms the foundation for excellent passive safety performance. ACE technology helps to distribute crash energy evenly throughout the front of the vehicle and also reduces the collision energy transmitted into the other vehicle.
“Safety is of the utmost importance to us and we’re delighted that the car has received the maximum five stars in the new Euro NCAP testing procedure,” commented Takeki Tanaka, Large Project Leader for Honda. “By completely reengineering the Jazz we were able to incorporate advanced new structural technologies and the latest passive safety features to provide exceptional protection from all kinds of accidents. With the addition of an upgraded suite of advanced safety features and driver aids as standard, we have ensured the Jazz remains one of the safest cars in its class. A key new feature in the Jazz is the enhanced panoramic front window visibility and we are proud to have achieved this without compromising on its overall collision safety performance – this is something you won’t see in any other car.”
The next-generation Jazz was launched throughout Europe in Summer 2020 with a refined and responsive hybrid powertrain, to spearhead the brand’s commitment to electrify 100% of its European mainstream models by 2022.
SOURCE: Honda
