Honda’s new Jazz builds on the key attributes of its popular predecessor by freeing up even more interior space, adding better functionality, and introducing a range of more powerful, frugal engines – all wrapped in a stylish, contemporary design.At a glance you may be hard-pressed to tell the new model from the old, but the evolutionary styling suits the newcomer. The key styling theme is a cab-forward look, with the windscreen positioned far forward to create a curve flowing from front to rear. The front end sports enlarged headlamps, an upward-curving front bumper that, and a sporty honeycomb grille, while the rear sees the lower and upper sections of the body tapering towards the tail. EX-S models come standard with a panoramic glass roof, a larger front grille, extended sills, and a rear bumper diffuser and the LX and EX versions run on five-spoke 15-inch alloys, while the EX-S gets 16-inch alloys.

The new Jazz retains many of it predecessors ingenious interior features that optimise interior pace, such as its compact suspension and centrally-mounted fuel tank. In addition to increased passenger space, the new Jazz also sees the return of the previous model’s ‘Magic Seats’, which can now be operated in one easy action.

The new model also sees the introduction of two new petrol powerplants, both of which can be specified with either a 5-speed manual gearbox, or a new 5-speed automatic. The 1,4-litre i-VTEC unit delivers 73 kW and 127 N.m of torque (compared to the 61 kW of its predecessor), and achieves a combined-cycle consumption figure of just 5,8 litres/100 km. The new 1,5-litre engine serves up 88 kW and 145 N.m of torque (compared to the 81 kW and 143 N.m of the previous unit). This powerplant returns 6,4 litres/100 km in the manual model and 6,7 litres/100 km with the automatic.

Safety equipment levels have also been upped, including the introduction of Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) structure, which minimises the effects of misalignment between vehicles of different sizes and construction in the case of a collision. Other safety features include dual front and side airbags, and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions with dual-stage pretensioners for the front pews, and two Isofix child seat anchorages in the rear.

A wide range of Honda-approved accessories, ranging from exterior/interior styling packages, Bluetooth connectivity kits, alloy wheels, and parking distance sensors to a new rear seat entertainment system, allow owners to personalise their cars further.

Prices:

  • Jazz LX – manual R 145 000
  • Jazz LX – automatic R 156 000
  • Jazz EX – manual R 162 000
  • Jazz EX – automatic R 173 000
  • Jazz EX-S - manual R 172 000
  • Jazz EX-S - automatic R 183 000

Original article from Car