2015 Honda Jazz spotted testing in Europe

The 2015 Honda Jazz has been spotted testing in Europe for the first time. Unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, it is the first vehicle to be designed along the lines of the Japanese automaker’s ‘Exciting H Design!!!’ philosophy and is currently one of the most successful models on sale in Japan today. The car made its India debut at the 2014 Auto Expo and is expected to be launched here during the festival season. 

A report on Autoevolution suggests that the car that Europe will get be very similar to the petrol version sold in the Japanese market with addition of daytime running lights (now a legal requirement in the EU). This means that the European markets will be offered the 1.5-litre and 1.3-litre petrol engine mated either to a five-speed manual or a CVT gearbox. 

The new addition to the 2014 Jazz’s powertrain line up is a hybrid unit which is basically an electric motor in addition to the 1.5-litre i-VTEC unit. Both the motors have been mated to a dual-clutch gearbox, a first for Honda in this size and category of car. However, reports have emerged that a software glitch in the hybrid versions of the Jazz and the Vezel/HR-V is causing unintended acceleration, prompting a recall of 173,356 units sold in the Japanese market. 

The report suggests that it has not been smooth sailing for the big H in the European markets and it has been seeing a constant drop in numbers making the new Jazz an important car for them. It is expected to make its debut by the end of the year or at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.  

In terms of the Indian market, The Honda Jazz as we had said earlier is expected to be launched later this year in both petrol and diesel guises. Despite being a competent and powerful hatchback, the car was not very successful in its previous stint due to a high initial price. Honda will have to get its pricing right this time for the Jazz to succeed in the Indian market.