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Honda has added a hybrid option to its popular Jazz supermini. It claims the car produces 104g/km CO2, an emissions cut of up to 21g/km compared with the cleanest conventional Jazz. A combined 64.2mpg is 23 per cent ahead of the current 1.4ES model.

The car borrows its 1.2-litre petrol engine and electric flywheel motor, extra batteries and control equipment from the Insight hatchback. Honda claims that interior space isn't compromised as the extra equipment is packaged under the luggage deck.

The Jazz has been a huge success with British private buyers, both for new and used versions, which command strong residuals.

The car is particularly favoured by drivers who appreciate its high seating position, five-door body and simple, fold-flat rear seats. These features have not been compromised in the hybrid version, which has 831 litres of luggage space.

Honda claims it is the first car maker to offer a mainstream petrol/electric supermini. It will rival non-hybrid hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion, Skoda Fabia Greenline, Ford Fiesta econetic and Vauxhall Corsa Ecoflex, which have conventional engines, but use other engineering tweaks to boost economy. Some, like the Fiesta, produce even less CO2 than the Honda.

British sales of the Jazz Hybrid will start next year.

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