The 2014 Honda Jazz, which is also called Fit in some international markets, has been launched in Japan. The third generation Honda Jazz comes with a hybrid powertrain as well. Overall silhouette of the new generation Jazz remains similar but the Japanese automaker has come up with an all new design tone and styling. The front of the Honda Jazz gets an aggressive treatment that includes angular headlamps blending with the grille along with a sporty bumper integrating broad air inlets. The side profile reveals a raked roofline and new cuts and creases that look smarter.
The new Honda Jazz gets a busy rear styling that features a chiseled set of tail lamps and a muscular tailgate. On the inside, the new Jazz gets a mix of light and dark tones of grey. The interior has been designed to maximize cabin space. The Jazz will be available in Japan with three petrol engine options. The Jazz Hybrid comes with the Sport Hybrid i-DCD technology that features a 1.5-litre petrol engine coupled to an electric motor that produces a combined power output of 137 PS, mated to a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission. It returns a segment leading 36.3 km/l of fuel economy.
Honda has introduced an all-new 1.3-litre i-VTEC petrol motor for the Jazz which produces 100 PS of power with 119 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual gearbox. This petrol engine also returns a class leading fuel efficiency of 26 km/l. Honda has also introduced a 1.5-litre direct injection i-VTEC petrol engine that churns out 132 PS of power and 155 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT transmission as standard. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC is also available on the range topping RS variant that comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT with paddle shifts.
The 2014 Honda Jazz comes with three trim levels including F, L and S. Each trim comes with two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. The Jazz is equipped with a host of convenience and safety features. Some of the active safety features include VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), HSA (Hill-Start Assist) and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS). A unique feature in the new Jazz is the rotating front passenger seat that flips out with a touch of a lever for easy entry and egress.
Honda has priced the new Jazz between 1.26 million Yen (Rs. 8.4 lakhs) to 1.93 million Yen (12.8 lakhs) in the Japanese market. We can expect the 2014 Honda Jazz to hit Indian showrooms early next year with the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine from the Amaze powering it. The 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol engine will continue to do duty on the Jazz and the vehicle will sit between the Brio and Amaze in the company’s India lineup.
