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2015 Honda Jazz Making European Debut in Geneva with 130 HP Hybrid 1.5L Engine

We think it was in the fall of 2013 when we first laid eyes on the all-new Honda Jazz as it made its debut in Japan. It was impressive to say the least, with a class-leading hybrid setup and Honda's first twin-clutch gearbox. Soon after launch, it became the most popular car on the market and now us Europeans are going to enjoy its features as well because the launch is imminent.
2015 Honda Jazz 6 photos
Photo: Honda
2015 Honda Jazz2015 Honda Jazz2015 Honda Jazz2015 Honda Jazz2015 Honda Jazz
We've talked about the styling of the Jazz on many occasions, including when a pre-production prototype was shown last October in Paris. Most people are going to find it boring, but we think it's rather exciting, with those string creases reminding us of cartoons about giant robots battling over the fate of our planet.

Honda played the futuristic card in the interior department as well, with the dash being dominated by a huge touchscreen display. Below that, the controls for the air conditioning are all digital as well, just like on the Peugeot 208.

One of the few hybrid superminis

We've long been fast of the Toyota Yaris Hybrid because it's as cheap as an ordinary diesel and yet returns impressive savings if you stick to town roads. The new Jazz may have an even better urban travel solution with its hybrid setup, designed to also be sporty.

It combines a new 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine with an electric motor to deliver a combined output of 130 PS. It won't be ready until early 2016, so details are limited, but hopefully the 7-speed DCT will also be used and not the CVT.

For now though, the Jazz will be offered with a 1.3-liter VTEC petrol engine delivering 102 PS that's available with a 6-speed manual or a CVT.

The space available is probably what helps sell this car, just like with the previous generations of the Jazz. Because the boot is very deep, up to 354 liters of space is available, which is more than the current class leader (Skoda Fabia at 330 liters).

We'll get to see the new Jazz and its HR-V crossover brother early next week at the Geneva Motor Show.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

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.
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