India bound 2014 Honda Jazz launched in Japan

The 2014 Honda Jazz (Fit in a number of markets) has been launched in Japan for 1.26 million Yen (Rs 8.36 lakh). The new generation model has a number of styling upgrades from its predecessor along with a new hybrid system.

In Japan the Jazz will be available in three variants - F, L and S with each trim level offering both 2WD and 4WD options. The base variants get a 1.2-litre i-VTEC engine that develops 100PS and 119Nm of torque while being mated to either a CVT gearbox or a conventional five-speed manual transmission. There is also a more powerful 1.5-litre direct injection i-VTEC petrol motor on offer that makes 132PS and 155Nm of torque and is available on with the CVT gearbox.

Honda has also catered to the enthusiast though an RS variant that mates the same engine to either a CVT with paddle shifters or a six-speed stick shift. The environmentalist on the other hand can opt for Honda’s new SPORT HYBRID i-DCD technology that clubs the 1.5-litre mill to an electric motor to produce 137PS power while returning an impressive 36.4km to the litre.

Moving back to the spirited drivers, Mugen, Honda’s official tuning arm has released an arsenal of performance upgrades for the Jazz that include a number of aero dynamic body kits of which the most notable are the carbon fibre rear spoiler and front aero bumper. The optional list also includes sports suspensions and silencers, along with performance brake pads and a number of two tone alloy wheels.

India though will not get the benefits of the Mugen tuning kit and will have to make do with the standard engine option found on the Amaze; a 1.2-litre petrol mill and the new 1.5-litre diesel engine. In the current state of tune the engines produce 86PS/109Nm and 100PS/200Nm respectively. Furthermore, it is also possible that the Honda will detune the Jazz’s diesel engine to the 90PS mark to extract better fuel efficiency from the engine and still be on par with its competitors. The car also likely feature the five-speed auto box (petrol only) found on the Amaze and the Brio models.

When launched in India, the Jazz will be priced at about Rs 4.7 lakh for the petrol and Rs 6.5 for the diesel. This will mean that a number of features from the Japan spec car will also get the axe to keep the car competitive with its competitions like the VW Polo and the Hyundai i20. The previous Jazz was by far the best hatchback available in the Indian market at that time and the new one is expected to continue that level of quality and convenience. The all-new Jazz is expected to arrive on Indian markets early next year as part of Honda’s new aggressive strategy for India.