Honda's European model range will soon receive two brand new compact-sized models, fresh from Japan's creative drawing boards. There's the HR-V crossover we showed you last week and this, the all-new Jazz, previewed as a pre-production prototype ahead of next month's Paris Motor Show debut.
What the automaker means by "prototype" is that the interior isn't ready to be shown yet. Because the Japanese model is classed as a compact car, some of the more premium features like the 7-inch display and active cruise control need to be watered down a bit. However, every panel and feature you see here will make it into production just like you see it.
The styling is completely new and quite different to most of the other Honda models, especially the Civic hatchback. The supermini's front is sharply styled and continues with bold creases down the side, going though the door handles at a rising angle.
The Honda Jazz remains somewhat boxy-looking, but in an endearing and somewhat futuristic way that all its will love. It will also be one of the most practical superminis on the market, competing with the Skoda Fabia for bragging rights.
Details regarding the engine range have not been clarified. However, the new Fit has been engineered to take a new 1.3-liter producing 100 PS and running on the Atkinson cycle, a 1.5-liter carryover and a new hybrid system. This is by far the most interesting powertrain, combining a 1.5-liter with Honda's first-ever dual-clutch gearbox. In Europe, this would compete directly with Toyota's France-made Yaris Hybrid.
The current generation Jazz has never been offered with a diesel engine. However, Honda is rumored to be working on a new 1.2-liter i-DTEC unit with a 3-cylinder layout and producing somewhere in the region of 80 to 90 PS.
The Jazz has been on sale under the name "Fit" since late 2013 and in June this year entered production at a new Honda factory in Mexico, which make US-spec models. In Japan, it was the best selling new automobile for most of the year.
While we wait for Honda to spill the beans on the actual production model, here's a full photo gallery and a vide showing the Jazz's Japanese twin sister.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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The styling is completely new and quite different to most of the other Honda models, especially the Civic hatchback. The supermini's front is sharply styled and continues with bold creases down the side, going though the door handles at a rising angle.
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