2014 Honda Jazz

  • VIDEO: 2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 V walk-around tour

    Thanks to our comprehensive launch report, test drive report and old car versus new car gallery, the bases have all been pretty much covered with regards to the 2014 Honda Jazz. But since words and static pictures can only tell you so much, we don’t stop there.

    The third-gen B-segment hatch may have just missed the train bound for Driven Web Series station this time, but not to be outdone, we capture it in another walk-around video.

    Here, we dissect the range-topping Grade V, showing and demonstrating the stand-out features – including the Ultra Seats and MirrorLink HDMI – which make it a contender that’s hard to ignore. Is it truly “everybody’s kind of car”?

    Enjoy watching, and don’t forget to subscribe to our Youtube channel for more videos!

     
     
  • GALLERY: Old and new Honda Jazz, side by side

    honda-jazz-new-old 251

    When it comes to illustrating just how much a new model has changed, we know few methods can beat lining it up alongside its immediate predecessor. So we decided to give the privilege of our New vs Old comparison gallery to the rule book-rewriter that is the popular Honda Jazz.

    Launched in July merely a year after the introduction of the locally-assembled (CKD) facelifted second-gen Jazz petrol, the new third-gen 2014 Jazz is evidently a major departure, looks wise.

    Ignore the old car’s ‘floating’ bumpers and fog lamps bestowed upon it by the optional Modulo kit; you can clearly see the new car has adopted quite an attitude through its edgier and more aggressive styling – a wonderful contrast to the old car’s rounder and cutesier appearance overall. This new V grade car rides on 16-inch alloys; the old car wears 15s.

    honda-jazz-new-old 258

    The new Jazz hasn’t gotten any wider or taller than the old one, but it’s longer – by 55 mm in overall length and 30 mm in wheelbase. This translates to more room for occupants as well as luggage. Boot volume with all seats up is now 363 litres; a notable increase from the previous 337.

    Under the bonnet resides the same 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 120 PS and 145 Nm of torque. Max power is made at the same 6,600 rpm, but max torque now arrives 200 rpm lower at 4,600 rpm. Also, as in the Honda City, the old Jazz’s five-speed auto has made way for an ‘Earth Dreams’ CVT.

    Throw in lower kerb weights across the board (old car 1,110 kg, new car 1,067-1,088 kg depending on variant) and it’s not difficult to see how Honda can tout an improved fuel economy of 17.8 km per litre.

    So the new car has rear drum brakes as opposed to the old car’s all-round discs, but the upshots more than compensate for that. Where the previous car had only one spec to choose from since local assembly began (Hybrid aside) – which sits roughly between the new car’s base S and middle E grades in terms of equipment – the new Jazz has three variants. And there’s so much more standard kit as well as options, which include navigation and a Mugen kit for the first time.

    Still need more evidence of the ‘newness’ of the 2014 Honda Jazz? Just step aboard. The dashboard is altogether more upmarket, more contemporary and, due to the comparative absence of buttons and knobs, less fussy than the old car’s.

    The brilliant Ultra Seats and centre fuel tank layout are retained. The new car’s rear seats are more sculpted, with distinct side bolsters setting them apart from the old car’s flat rear bench. For the first time, our Jazz gets keyless start and entry, a touch-screen with HDMI and touch-panel auto air-con, amongst others – although of course you’ll find these only on higher-spec cars.

    Finally, safety. An aspect in which the new Jazz shines. While the old car had two airbags whether you liked it or not, the new V grade car has six airbags and hill start assist. Although the new S grade car is actually worse for wear here than the old car, having no VSA. ASEAN NCAP recently tested the new Jazz (equipped with VSA) and rated the six-airbag variant five stars and the two-airbag variant four stars.

    Learn more about the 2014 Honda Jazz through our comprehensive launch report, interview with Jazz Assistant Large Project Leader Daisuke Uragami, and test drive report from Hua Hin, Thailand. The Jazz wasn’t launched in time for Driven Web Series 2014, but we featured its sedan sister in Episode 1.

    Also, compare the Jazz with rivals such as the VW Polo, Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio via CarBase.my‘s car comparison feature.

    2014 Honda Jazz Grade V

    2013 Honda Jazz with Modulo package

     
     
  • VIDEO: Honda Jazz in action – official Malaysian ads

    Here are two videos of the 2014 Honda Jazz, launched in Malaysia last week. They are official ads for the new Jazz by Honda Malaysia, and one is a longer version showing the B-segment hatchback’s notable features. Check Jazz Town out to see if you agree that “it’s everybody’s kind of car”.

    The new Jazz is powered by a 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine developing 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm, mated to an ‘Earth Dreams’ CVT gearbox, the same drivetrain combo found in the City sedan. Claimed fuel consumption is 17.81 km/l.

    The new car is 55 mm longer than its already-roomy predecessor at 3,955 mm. The wheelbase has been extended 30 mm to 2,530 (70 mm less than the City). Width and height maintain status quo at 1,695 and 1,524 mm respectively. Boot volume is now 363 litres instead of the previous 337 (all seats up).

    The model’s signature rear Ultra Seats are present, of course. Apart from folding flat, the seat bases can also be lifted up to make space for tall items. The front seats can also be reclined flat.

    Locally-assembled at Honda Malaysia’s No.2 Line at its Pegoh plant in Melaka, the 2014 Honda Jazz is priced, OTR with insurance, as follows: S RM72,800, E RM79,800 and V RM87,800. Modulo and Mugen kits are officially available, too.

    Honda Jazz Main Pic

    Full details and specs can be found in our comprehensive Honda Jazz launch report. We also had a chat with the car’s Assistant Large Project Leader, Daisuke Uragami, and gave the hatchback a preview spin in Hua Hin, Thailand. The Jazz wasn’t launched in time for Driven Web Series 2014, but we featured its sedan sister in Episode 1.

    There’s more. You can also compare the Honda with rivals such as the VW Polo, Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta and Kia Rio via CarBase.my‘s car comparison feature. Want to read in Bahasa Malaysia instead? Launch report by our sister site infokereta.com is here.

    2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 E with Modulo package

    2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 E with Mugen package

    2014 Honda Jazz studio shots

     
     
  • Interview with Daisuke Uragami, Assistant Large Project Leader of the third-generation Honda Jazz

    Interview with Daisuke Uragami, Assistant Large Project Leader of the third-generation Honda Jazz

    The recently-launched third-generation Honda Jazz has already captured the imagination of the Malaysian public, and with good reason – sporty new looks, a cabin that’s as spacious and as flexible as ever, a fuel efficient engine and drivetrain package and competitive pricing and specifications.

    Do read our comprehensive launch coverage of the new supermini, browse our gallery of the optional Modulo and Mugen aerokits and check out our preview drive report if you haven’t already.

    Of course, as detailed as these may be, there is still much that can be learnt about the new car that cannot be gleaned from poring over a brochure. Honda Malaysia arranged an interview with Assistant Large Project Leader for the new Honda Jazz, Daisuke Uragami, for us to ask our most burning questions regarding the latest B-segment fighter.

    Honda Jazz Malaysia Launch- 10

    The new Jazz looks much sportier than the friendly-looking previous generation, both inside and out. Why was such a drastic change in styling made, and how has the new look been received by customers so far?

    If you recall, the first- and second-generation Jazz had bigger headlights, which made them look cuter. Those models were primarily designed for the Japanese market in mind, but for the third-generation model we wanted to expand its appeal to cater for broader markets. The feedback from global studies suggested that the previous faces were actually too cute and feminine, so we gave the new Jazz a more masculine image.

    When we first introduced the new model in Japan last year, we were a little afraid that we would alienate traditional buyers, particularly females and the older generation. However, we were surprised that we have been able to sell over 200,000 units so far in Japan, and the feedback from the customers in Japan has also been very good.

    Higher-end models of the Jazz get touch controls for both the infotainment system and the climate controls. Were there any concerns regarding the functionality and the safety of such controls, and what has Honda done to address these issues?

    In terms of the layout of the infotainment controls, we moved all the main buttons to the right-hand side closer to the driver, so you can operate them even without looking at them while driving. The audio controls on the steering wheel also enable you to control the system without lifting your hands off the steering wheel.

    SONY DSC

    As far as we can tell, the new Jazz does not come with an ECON mode or cruise control for the Malaysian market. Could you share with us why these features have been removed? Were there studies done on Malaysian driving styles that led to such a decision being made?

    This is more to do with the position of the product in the Malaysian market. Of course, we do study the usability of the model locally, and from there we thought that the current specification of the new Jazz is the best package that we could offer for the Malaysian market.

    When we drove the Jazz in Thailand last month, we found that the new car rode slightly firmer and had more responsive handling than the City. Has there been any changes in suspension and/or steering tuning compared to the City?

    Yes, there have been changes compared to the City, a little bit on the stiffer side.

    SONY DSC

    Why does the ASEAN-market Jazz not get the direct-injected 1.5 litre engine that the Japanese-market model gets? Are there plans to introduce this type of engine in the ASEAN market at some point in the future?

    As we have said, we are looking for the best overall package in the market segment, and the current engine is the most suitable for local driving conditions.

    The development of the direct injection engine for each region is being carried out, but at the moment we cannot mention when exactly will we introduce the engine to the Malaysian market.

    The Jazz’s Ultra Seats aren’t available on the rest of Honda’s products. The City doesn’t have them, and neither does the Vezel. Is there a reason why they are exclusive to the Jazz?

    The Ultra Seats require requires the fuel tank to be positioned in the centre of the car, something only the Jazz has.

    Honda Jazz Mugen Kit- 2

    The new Jazz has a few accessory packages such as aerokits available as cost options. How crucial do you think they will be for the car’s sales?

    The Jazz has been very popular among the younger generation who liked to soup up their cars, and there were a lot of aftermarket parts to cater for these people, and we felt it was a lost opportunity [that we did not sell any tuning parts]. This time around, we are offering a Modulo kit as well as a Mugen kit for the first time, and while they may not be cheap, they are approved by Honda.

    The unique part is that these kits are part of the Jazz’s price list itself, so they can be included in the car loan. Hence, for each monthly payment, the buyer would only have to pay about RM40-RM50 more for these kits.

     
     
  • GALLERY: 2014 Honda Jazz Modulo and Mugen kits

    Honda Jazz Mugen Kit- 5

    So, the 2014 Honda Jazz has finally launched in Malaysia. Thinking of getting one? Well, so are over 500 people so far, so you’re gonna want yours to stand out a little, won’t you? Fret not, for Honda Malaysia has aesthetic answers in the form of the Modulo and Mugen packages.

    The Modulo package gives you a bodykit with sports pedals for an extra RM2,650, while the Mugen package, offered for the first time here on a Jazz, gives you a bodykit, tailgate spoiler and Mugen emblem for an additional RM4,900.

    At the launch event this morning, Modulo- and Mugen-equipped Jazzes were on display – both E-grade variants. The Modulo car sports a moustache-like two-tone grille. The two-tone treatment carries through to the side skirts and rear bumper, creating a sort of ‘floating’ look.

    Honda Jazz Modulo Kit- 1

    It also wears items not mentioned in the package – door visors, side step illumination (which you get as part of the RM1,250 Utility package), a spoiler and striking Modulo wheels.

    The Mugen machine features a pretty mean-looking diffuser-like element on its rear bumper, and rides on eight-spoke Mugen wheels, which are also presumably for display purposes. This car is fitted with the RM3,220 optional navigation system, a third-party unit co-developed with Honda Malaysia.

    2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 E with Modulo package

    2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 E with Mugen package

     
     
  • 2014 Honda Jazz launched in Malaysia – RM73k-RM88k

    Honda Jazz Main Pic

    The wait is over for one of the most anticipated new cars this year – the 2014 Honda Jazz is here! Open for booking since the start of the month (over 500 bookings to date), the third-gen B-segment hatch is available in S, E and V variants.

    Bearing little resemblance to its predecessor, the all-new Honda Jazz calls upon the “Exciting H Design” language to give it a more aggressive and angular appearance, as well as the “Solid Wing Face” you see on the City and HR-V/Vezel. The centre fuel tank layout has been retained.

    Regardless of which variant you choose, you get a non-direct injected 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine developing 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm (200 rpm lower than in the outgoing Jazz) and an ‘Earth Dreams’ CVT – essentially the same drivetrain as the Honda City’s. A fuel consumption of 17.81 km per litre is claimed.

    honda-jazz-2014-launched-malaysia 095

    Step inside and owners of the current Honda City will feel a sense of deja vu – but there are differences. The dashboard is mildly restyled, with fewer shiny satin bits than in the City.

    Also, there’s a chrome ring around the central speedo, the driver’s side control panel loses the piano black finish and the mirror controls have migrated from there to the door, freeing up space for a cooled cupholder.

    Across the range, you’ll find no shift paddles, ECON mode, cruise control, reverse camera or navigation (the latter is available as an option), but you still get the very practical rear Ultra Seats. Apart from folding flat, the seat bases can also be lifted up to make space for tall items. The front seats can also be reclined flat.

    honda-jazz-2014-launched-malaysia 097

    This is joined by increased dimensions – the new Jazz is 55 mm longer than its already-roomy predecessor at 3,955 mm. The wheelbase has been extended 30 mm to 2,530 (70 mm less than the City). Width and height maintain status quo at 1,695 and 1,524 mm respectively.

    Boot volume is now 363 litres instead of the previous 337 (all seats up). The MacPherson strut-front, torsion beam-rear suspension setup features revised geometry to promote stable steering, better handling and less vibration. Like the City, the Jazz comes with a front-disc, rear-drum brake setup. Weight ranges from 1,067 to 1,088 kg.

    Base kit includes halogen headlamps, LED tail lamps and a tilt/telescopic steering as well as ABS, EBD and brake assist, rear Isofix points and a four-point reverse sensor. The S grade features a black front grille, manual air-conditioning, manual side mirror adjustment, a single-DIN head unit and four speakers, keyed ignition as well as dual airbags and 15-inch steel wheels (wrapped with 175/65 rubbers) with plastic covers.

    The E grade adds on a fair bit of equipment, including upping the 15-inch wheels to alloy units. It and the V grade get a high gloss black front grille, touch-panel auto air-con, powered side mirrors, a centre console storage bin (with armrest) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, replete with steering-mounted audio controls.

    The E still has a four-speaker system, but adds on a standard double-DIN audio system head unit, and it gets blue/white illumination for its multi-information combination meter (on the S, in amber). Like the S, there are only two airbags here, but the variant adds on hill-start assist, an emergency start-stop signal and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA).

    The range-topping V grade of course gets the bells and whistles – on top of what’s found on the E grade, the airbag count goes to six (side curtain and side airbags in addition to the dual front), and the version rides on 16-inch alloys and packs a seven-inch touch-screen with HDMI, Siri Eyes Free Mode (for iPhones 4S and up), and the steering-mounted switchgear adds on hands-free telephone controls. The optional navigation system, a third-party unit co-developed with Honda Malaysia, is available for RM3,220.

    2014 Honda Jazz full spec sheet and price list above, click to enlarge

    You can customise your Jazz with the Modulo Package (bodykit + sports pedals, RM2,650), Utility Package (foot lights + cargo tray + trunk organiser + side step illumination, RM1,250) and, for the first time, a Mugen Package (bodykit + tailgate spoiler + Mugen badge, RM4,900). Having been tested at ASEAN NCAP last week, the hatch is aiming for a five-star safety rating.

    Locally-assembled at Honda Malaysia’s No. 2 Line at its Pegoh plant in Melaka, the 2014 Honda Jazz is priced, OTR with insurance, as follows: S RM72,800, E RM79,800 and V RM87,800.

    As for exterior colours, Tinted Silver (new), Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic, Tafetta White, Crystal Black Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic are available. A five-year warranty with unlimited mileage is offered. The service interval is 10,000 km and there’s six times free service alternating with paid service until 100,000 km.

    Honda Jazz Malaysia Blue- 3

    Four cars are currently on display at the launch – V (Tinted Silver), E (Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic), E with Modulo (Tafetta White) and E with Mugen and optional navi (Tinted Silver). You’ll see pictures of the standard V and E in the gallery below (and two of the white Modulo); the rest are on their way to you in a separate post!

    Read out test drive report on the 2014 Honda Jazz from Thailand. Also, check out Episode 1 of an all-new season of our Driven Web Series to see the Jazz’s sedan sister in action!

    2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 E with Modulo package

    2014 Honda Jazz 1.5 E with Mugen package

    2014 Honda Jazz studio shots

     
     
  • DRIVEN: 2014 Honda Jazz – a quick preview in Hua Hin

    DRIVEN: 2014 Honda Jazz – a quick preview in Hua Hin

    The Honda Jazz has only been part of the last 13 years of Honda’s long and illustrious history, but already it’s become a staple of the company’s product range as well as an important contributor to the company’s bottom line. Worldwide sales of the little runabout have already passed the four-million-unit mark.

    Look closely at the past two generations of the Jazz and it’s not hard to see why, with friendly good looks, solid reliability, great manoeuvrability around town and, of course, that ridiculously practical and versatile cabin. Like it or not, critics and consumers alike have rated the Jazz highly over the years despite the appearance of fresher, more dynamic competition.

    UPDATE: The new Honda Jazz is now launched in Malaysia, read our launch report.

    But this year, there’s a new Honda Jazz – which you can now go and book – with an aggressive, angular new look both inside and out that seems to signify a big change for the B-segment hatch. Has the house that Soichiro built messed too much with a winning formula? We trek to Hua Hin to find out.

    Read The Full Story ›

     
     
  • GALLERY: 2014 Honda Jazz previewed at roadshow

    Honda-Jazz-2014-Malaysia-Roadshow-1

    The 2014 Honda Jazz is moving about town on a mobile roadshow, being previewed ahead of its launch later this month. Bookings are open for three variants – a 1.5 S, a 1.5 E and a top-of-the-line 1.5 V. We managed to snap some photos of the Jazz when it made its stop at Jaya One today.

    UPDATE: The new Honda Jazz is now launched in Malaysia, read our launch report.

    This particular Honda Jazz did not have any badging on the rear other than the model name of the car, but Honda Malaysia says this is the range-topping 1.5 V. A look into the interior reveals airbag icons on the pillars that denotes six airbags, as well as a button to disable VSA stability control on the dashboard.

    Honda brand ambassadors demonstrated the Jazz’s Ultra Seats feature during the roadshow, so we managed to snap a few photos of the seats in action. Look out for the photo of the rear seat bottom folded up to make way for a tall potted plant in the gallery.

    As mentioned in our earlier post, bookings made between now and July 15 will be in the running to win a trip to the Maldives, and Honda Malaysia has also arranged for 2.53% financing. If you’d like to check out the 2014 Honda Jazz in person, click here for the roadshow schedule.

    GALLERY: White 2014 Honda Jazz preview

     
     
  • 2014 Honda Jazz now open for booking in Malaysia, three spec levels available – 1.5 S, 1.5 E and 1.5 V

    malaysia-honda-jazz-open-for-booking

    Honda Malaysia has announced that the new third-generation Honda Jazz is now available for booking in Malaysia, and an official launch will be happening by the end of this month. The car was spied late last month on a transporter near Bukit Jelutong.

    UPDATE: The new Honda Jazz is now launched in Malaysia, read our launch report.

    The 2014 Honda Jazz will be available in three variants – 1.5 S, 1.5 E and 1.5 V, in that order in terms of equipment level and expected pricing. This is pretty interesting as it means Honda Malaysia now treats the Jazz as a mass-market model just like the Honda City, which also has a variety of equipment levels.

    And rightfully so, ever since the previous-generation Jazz was launched as a CKD model with a lower price tag, sales leaped from only 650 units a year on average for the CBU model up to 6,770 units in less than a year for the CKD model. These numbers don’t even include the CKD Hybrid model.

    Powering the new Honda Jazz is a 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine producing 120 PS at 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. This engine drives the front wheels via a new Honda Earth Dreams CVT gearbox – essentially the same engine and gearbox combo as in the new Honda City.

    The Jazz will continue the interior versatility of the previous-generation models thanks to its Ultra Seats with rear seat reclining. Though we don’t know the full equipment levels of each spec level yet, Honda Malaysia have announced that at least the top spec variant will have six airbags, VSA stability control, Emergency Start Stop signal and Hill Stop Assist (HSA).

    Bookings made between now and July 15 will be in the running to win a trip to the Maldives, and Honda Malaysia has also arranged for 2.53% financing. You’ll be able to catch it at a preview roadshow moving about town starting from today. Find out where the Jazz will be here.

    Thai-market Honda Jazz


    JDM Honda Fit Hybrid at Honda’s new Yorii plant

    Read The Full Story ›

     
     
  • SPYSHOT: 2014 Honda Jazz on trailer in Malaysia

    HONDA-JAZZ-BKT-JELUTONG-SPYSHOTS

    It looks like the new 2014 Honda Jazz has landed on our shores – reader Rozaimi sighted this trailer near the Bukit Jelutong toll carrying two units of the B-segment hatch.

    They’re completely covered up with a white cloth but we’re think no other hatchback of that shape and size would be sharing a trailer with a shipment of Honda City, agreed?

    The Jazz’s Malaysian launch will happen some time this year, following the Thailand launch which saw multiple variants launched from RM55k. Listings on oto.my have suggested a few launch dates from July to September – a pretty wide spectrum, but dealers have been known to be wrong thanks to the principal giving out conservative dates to play it safe. We’re predicting a third quarter 2014 launch for this one.

    The 2014 Honda Jazz’s drivetrain should be similar to our Honda City‘s, comprising a 120 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder motor and a CVT automatic transmission. The Thailand spec car starts off with an S spec with a 5-speed manual transmission for the baseline RM55k price, and this goes up to RM59k for the entry level S CVT variant, rising to RM75k for the range-topping Jazz SV+ CVT.

    Equipment highlights include a seven-inch touch-screen audio system with HDMI support, Siri Eyes Free Mode for iPhones (4S and above), touch-panel auto air-con, steering audio/phone controls and keyless entry/push start. On the safety front, top-spec cars get ABS, EBD, VSA, six airbags and a reverse camera. The Jazz will get the Ultra Seats feature that the previous generation was known for too, of course.

    For Malaysia, oto.my classifieds listings have so far indicated an RM75k price, which is pretty much equal to the current locally assembled Honda Jazz 1.5 Petrol’s RM74,800 retail price. This leads us to believe the Honda Jazz will be launched right away as a CKD car, which makes sense given the massive investments that Honda Malaysia have been putting into their Alor Gajah plant.

    A Honda Jazz Hybrid will probably come later, powered by a 110 PS/134 Nm 1.5 litre i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle engine paired to a 29.5 PS/160 Nm electric motor built into a seven-speed twin-clutch ‘box.

    One key benefit of this new hybrid system over the previous generation Jazz Hybrid’s system is the fact that it can run in pure electric mode and automatically switches between EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive depending on driving conditions. Moving off from a stand still is done in EV mode.

    We’ll come back to you with more information on the 2014 Honda Jazz as soon as we have it, so stay tuned. In the meanwhile, you can read more about the specs and prices of the current Honda Jazz at CarBase.my including owner reviews from existing Honda Jazz owners.

    Thai-market Honda Jazz


    JDM Honda Fit Hybrid at Honda’s new Yorii plant

     
     
  • 2014 Honda Jazz surfaces on oto.my, est RM75,000?

    honda-jazz-2014-oto-my

    It recently launched in Thailand with an equivalent RM55k base price; now the 2014 Honda Jazz has popped up on our sister classifieds site oto.my. The listing says the B-segment hatch could launch in July, and indicates a price of RM75k – pretty much unchanged from the current car’s RM74,800.

    UPDATE: A new listing on oto.my suggests a September launch, at the same indicative price of RM75k.

    The drivetrain should be similar to our Honda City‘s, comprising a 120 PS/145 Nm 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder motor and a CVT. Equipment should mirror the City’s as well, so expect that seven-inch touch-screen, touch-panel auto air-con and full keyless operation to feature on the pricier variants. Oh, and who could forget those Ultra Seats?

    Read our review of the Honda City for a reasonable idea of what the new Jazz would be like to drive.

    Thai-market Honda Jazz

    JDM Honda Fit Hybrid at Honda’s new Yorii plant

     
     
  • New Honda Jazz launched in Thailand, from RM55,000

    2014 Honda Jazz Thailand-01

    The 2014 Honda Jazz has been launched in Thailand, the first country in the region to introduce the car. The third-gen Jazz, known as the Fit in Japan, made its domestic debut in September 2013.

    If the new Jazz looks familiar, that’s because we have seen its sedan sister – the Honda City was launched here in March. The latest City sports a variation of the Jazz’s “Solid Wing Face” and shares a platform with the hatchback. The dashboard is similar, too.

    In the Land of Smiles, the Jazz is powered by a 1.5 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine with 117 hp and 146 Nm, mated to a CVT gearbox. The E85-compatible four-pot is the same engine as our City’s 120 PS (118 hp)/145 Nm powerplant. Like the top-spec City in Thailand, the Jazz is available with steering wheel shift paddles and a seven-speed manual mode. The familiar ECON button is present, along with an Eco Coaching function.

    Kit mirrors the City. Equipment highlights include a seven-inch touch-screen audio system with HDMI support, Siri Eyes Free Mode for iPhones (4S and above), touch-panel auto air-con, steering audio/phone controls and keyless entry/push start. On the safety front, top-spec cars get ABS, EBD, VSA, six airbags and a reverse camera. Ultra Seats too, of course.

    Prices start from 555,000 baht (RM54,776) for a manual version (S MT). The entry CVT variant (S AT) goes for 594,000 baht (RM58,672), rising to 754,000 baht (RM74,529) for the range topping SV+ spec.

    The new Jazz is definitely coming to Malaysia, and we’re predicting a third quarter 2014 debut plus good specs for the top variant. Read our review of the Honda City, because the Jazz shouldn’t feel too different from behind the wheel.


    JDM Honda Fit Hybrid at Honda’s new Yorii plant

     
     
  • Tokyo 2013: Honda Fit (Jazz) RS looking good

    honda-jazz-rs-tms 012

    Sitting at the top of the third-gen Honda Fit (Jazz) range in Japan is the Fit RS – this one’s FWD only, and is solely powered by a 1.5 litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that produces 132 PS at 6,600 rpm and 155 Nm of torque at 4,600 rpm. It’s the only Jazz on display at Honda’s 2013 Tokyo Motor Show stand.

    It’s also the only Jazz variant in Japan that can be specified with a six-speed manual, although a CVT is also available. Exterior features include a gloss black grille ‘wing’ with the RS badge, vertical LED DRLs beside the fog lamps, side skirts, a prominent and more sculpted tailgate spoiler and 16-inch alloys wrapped in 185/55 series tyres. That body colour is exclusive to the RS, too.

    Inside, you’ll find fabric seats with red stitching and a unique red pattern, classy-looking gloss black trim on the dash and door cards, plus aluminium foot pedals. JC08 fuel economy is rated at 21.4 km per litre (CVT) and 19 km per litre (manual). I actually quite like the way this one looks – what say you?

     
     
  • GALLERY: Honda Jazz Hybrid at new Yorii plant

    honda-jazz-hybrid-yorii 009

    Here’s a gallery of the new Honda Jazz Hybrid (Fit Hybrid in Japan), brought to you during a visit to the company’s new Yorii plant at the Saitama factory. The vehicle is the first to be equipped with Honda’s new Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD) one-motor hybrid system.

    At the heart of things are a 110 PS/134 Nm 1.5 litre i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle engine, a 29.5 PS/160 Nm electric motor built into a seven-speed twin-clutch ‘box, and a lithium-ion battery. Unlike the previous IMA-equipped car, this one can go full electric – it automatically switches between EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive depending on driving conditions. Off-the-line starts are done in EV mode.

    A new electric servo braking system increases regeneration efficiency to the lithium-ion battery, while a fully-electric compressor reduces engine load. These contribute towards a significant 35% improvement in fuel efficiency to 36.4 km per litre – the highest of any vehicle available in Japan excluding plug-in hybrids.

    Launched in Japan in September, the third-gen Honda Jazz also debuts the company’s ‘Solid Wing Face’ – the design identity that will be applied in stages to other Honda models around the world. It retains its clever interior packaging and centre fuel tank layout, and the audio and climate controls have been replaced by a touch-screen panel and a touch-pad respectively.

    The latest news from Honda is the announcement of a new VTEC TURBO engine line-up comprising a 1.0 litre three-cylinder, a 1.5 litre four-cylinder and a 2.0 litre four-cylinder, all with direct injection and forced induction. The 2.0 litre will give the upcoming Honda Civic Type R hatch 280 horses to play with!

     
     
  • Hybrid Honda Jazz Type R to emerge in 2015 – report

    2014 Mugen Jazz-09

    Here’s a hot piece of rumour, but we can’t yet vouch for is legitimacy. Apparently, a hybrid Honda Jazz Type R is in the works for a 2015 debut, as intimated by Australian-based site Motoring. It will be based on the third-generation Jazz and could take aggressive styling cues from the hatch’s Mugen parts bin.

    If true, that would grow Honda’s Type R portfolio back up again, positioned under the 280 PS Civic Type R that has been confirmed for 2015. Unlike its turbocharged sibling however, the smaller Type R is rumoured to use hybrid propulsion to give it a performance boost.

    The Fit/Jazz RS that is part of the third-generation launch lineup in Japan is powered by a 1.5 litre direct-injection DOHC i-VTEC engine with around 132 PS. A petrol-electric combination on top of that motor could boost power up to 190 PS, while maintaining an efficient 27.8 km per litre.

    2014 Mugen Jazz-08

    Not only will it be the first hybrid-powered Honda Type R, the hot Jazz is said to feature the new one-motor Sport Hybrid i-DCD (Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive) system employed in the current range-topping third-gen Fit/Jazz Hybrid. That means it will have a two-pedal DCT drivetrain.

    With the next Civic Type R already confirmed to have a turbocharger, these are yet more deviations from the classic Type R formula. We will have to wait and see if they could survive the wrath of the sceptics and Type R traditionalists.

    As it is, Honda isn’t the first company to turn to hybridisation for extra performance. The latest hypercar trio from Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche are all hybrids, and both the Nissan GT-R and Toyota 86 have been rumoured to get electric assistance too.

     
     
 
 
 

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Last Updated Mar 07, 2024