Honda, the Japanese automaker, showcased the much-awaited Jazz hatchback at the Auto Shanghai 2015. The hatchback has already been on sale in Chinese market, and it’s expected to hit the Indian shore in second quarter 2015. Based on the Honda’s ‘Exciting H Design’ philosophy, the Chinese-spec model looks sportier and more outgoing than the previous model. It has been developed under the joint collaboration of Guangzhou and Honda.
On the interior, the hatchback gets a seven-inch Honda Connect infotainment system, providing traffic and social media updates, MirrorLink, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and internet connectivity etc. It’s quite spacious, especially Honda’s 2nd row ‘Magic Seats’. It offers a generous boot space, too.
The Chinese-spec model is powered with a 1.5-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine, paired with a seven-speed stepped CVT transmission. The engine develops a maximum power of 130bhp with a peak torque of 155Nm. However, the Indian-spec Jazz is expected to be launched in two engine options – a 87bhp, 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol and a 99bhp, 1.5-litre i-VTEC diesel. The 1.2-litre i-VTEC petrol is carried forward from the old model, while the1.5-litre i-VTEC diesel is the same engine that powers the Amaze, City and Mobilio.
The company might launch a performance-oriented model at later stage. It will be powered with the 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that also powers the City. The regular models will be offered with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the performance-oriented variant will get a 5-speed CVT gearbox. The new-generation Honda Jazz will compete against the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Elite i20 and Volkswagen Polo in India.
