Honda has released the first details of its new Jazz ahead of a planned debut at the Paris motor show next month.
Due to arrive in UK dealerships next summer – with order books opening around July – the new Jazz is already on sale in the US and other markets, badged as the Fit.
Honda is referring to the Jazz it will show in Paris as a prototype, although the car appears to be almost production ready. The new Jazz measures 3915mm long with a wheelbase of 2530mm – dimensions which have grown by 15mm and 30mm respectively over the current car.
Powering the new Jazz will be a 1.3-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, which can be coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. A hybrid version, using a 1.5-litre engine in conjunction with an electric motor to develop a combined 133bhp, will go on sale later in 2015.
Built on Honda’s global compact platform, the third-generation Jazz retains the same central fuel tank layout as the outgoing model. Honda says that layout allows it to offer “genuine customer benefits in terms of versatility, interior practicality and storage solutions.”
The car’s suspension has also been revised, delivering what Honda calls “a more refined and comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers”.
The ‘Magic Seats’ seen in other Honda models are fitted. They can be folded forwards to increase storage space. Honda hasn’t released storage dimensions for the Jazz, but the Fit offers a maximum 1492 litres of space – significantly more than the 1320 litres of the outgoing version.
Honda’s Leon Brannan said: “The Jazz is a hugely important car for Honda in the UK, and has been a runaway success since its original launch. It has an extremely loyal following".
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