• The new design of the front seats increases the level of driver and passenger comfort
  • Better spine support at the lumbar section and at the pelvic level, stabilizes the sitting body and reduces fatigue during longer journeys
  • Rear seat passengers benefit from better support, thicker seat cushions and extra legroom
  • Easier operation of controls and better ergonomics reduce stress while driving

When designing the next generation of Jazz, Honda engineers and stylists focused on providing greater comfort for the driver and passengers, which became a priority in making all decisions. Arrangements regarding design, style and ergonomics were made at the same time, being aware that all the elements of the car are the work of one design team, the effect of which was to achieve unprecedented comfort and spaciousness in this segment and clear progress compared to the previous generation.

The key to achieving high standards is the newly developed chair structure that provides better body support. The new structure replaced the previously used S-spring springs, both in the backs and the seats of the front seats. The introduction of a wider seat made it possible to increase the thickness of its lining by 30 mm, which provided softness felt immediately after taking up space. The new structure and thicker lining allow moderate deflection of the seat, but – most importantly – they do not allow the full use of the elastic range.

The improved design of the seat back provides better spine support at the lumbar region and at the pelvic level. This reduces the load on the hips and waist of passengers during long journeys. In addition, the new seat design helps to maintain a comfortable, stable position when cornering and on uneven surfaces.

The new seats are narrower in the upper part of the backrest, which provides better lateral support for passengers’ backs. This tapered design also provides more space between the front backrests, facilitating communication between front and rear passengers. The lowest point of the seat is 14 mm closer to the ground, which, combined with the more rounded sides of the seats, makes getting in and out of the car easier.

“Honda strives to provide its customers with interior comfort and ultimate travel pleasure,” said Takeki Tanaka, Honda Jazz project leader. “We considered every element of the new Jazz, from the materials and position of the seats, to the design of the car, and at the same time studied the anatomy of future passengers to offer them exceptional comfort. The latest Jazz has in effect maintained the reputation of a spacious and practical model, now more sophisticated, which will be felt in everyday use. ”

Honda engineers and designers also worked together to improve the comfort of rear seat passengers. Moving the hinges out of the rear seat back frame has made the sofa more comfortable. The seat frame has been changed, allowing the use of 24 mm thicker lining.

Ergonomic space planning

The synchronous operation of the teams during the design of the next generation of Jazz allowed to maintain a balance of development of work on the car structure, seats and controls, and as a result, to improve the driver’s comfort. A number of subtle adjustments have been made that significantly reduce physical fatigue while driving.

Ergonomic improvements include changing the position of the brake pedal, which is deeper, freeing up additional legroom, while reducing the need to adjust the seating position. The brake pedal itself has also been modified, which by changing the angle by 5 degrees allows a more natural foot positioning and more effective operation of the pedal lever. At the same time, the seat was redesigned to provide optimal thigh support.

Setting a comfortable driver’s position is easier due to the increase in the adjustment range in the longitudinal axis of the steering column, which can now be extended 14 mm closer to the driver. The angle of the steering wheel in the vertical axis has been reduced by 2 degrees, so it is set more vertically than in the previous model and more directed towards the driver. As a result of these changes, the range of movement of the arms, needed to comfortably grip the steering wheel, has decreased. This improved the position of the arms relative to the chair seat, increasing this distance by 18 mm.

Thought-out modifications in the structural design process that increase the comfort of the rear of the cabin meant that second-row passengers also benefit from the largest legroom in this segment (989 mm). This became possible thanks to the offset and wider spaced guides of the front seats. The fuel tank is located – unusually in this class of cars – in the center of the floor, under the front seats. Thanks to this Jazz maintains an extremely functional rear seat folding system – Magic Seats, which gives the possibility of raising and lowering seats in many configurations and flexible shaping of the cargo space.

By using every possible way to improve passenger comfort and increase ergonomics and spaciousness of the interior, and above all incorporating these assumptions into each stage of the design process, Honda has created a new, attractive proposition in the compact car segment. The result is a completely new hybrid city car that meets the needs of modern consumers and combines exceptional economy with extraordinary everyday functionality.

Source: Honda

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