NEW OLD LOOKS Jazz's design is more evolutionary than revolutionary

By Justin Lee

ONE OF THE best selling models for local Honda distributor Kah Motors has been the Jazz compact hatchback, and now the next generation model looks set to continue the trend. The second generation Jazz was recently unveiled to the public here but customer deliveries are due to start only in November.

However, the order books are already open and Kah Motor says that it is releasing information about the new car early so that customers would not be left guessing.

The outgoing model will still be produced and sold up till the end of July.

The second generation model has been completely redesigned and boasts larger dimensions all round over its predecessor.

This is the first time the Jazz will be offered with two engine options locally. Buyers can choose between a 1.3-litre unit producing 100bhp and a 1.5-litre unit producing 120bhp. Both engines are new and feature 16-valves along with Honda’s i-VTEC variable-valve timing technology. For comparison, the outgoing model’s eight-valve 1.3-litre i-DSI unit produces 84bhp.

Of note is the smaller engine in which the i-VTEC mechanism does not control the high lift cams like is normally done in engines with variable-valve timing technology. Rather, it controls a valve deactivation system that shuts off one intake valve at low engine speeds. The system is designed to deliver tractable low end torque while providing good fuel efficiency.

Both engines are mated to standard five-speed manual transmissions or five-speed automatic gearboxes with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

The specifications for all the Jazz variants sold here have been tailored to suit local demand and differ from those on the Fit sold by parallel importers. Some of the items found on the officially imported car include rear disc brakes and the five-speed automatic gearbox which are dissimilar to the rear drum brakes and continuously variable transmission offered on the Fit. The Jazz to be sold here will come from Honda’s Japanese manufacturing plant.

Kah Motor general manager Tan Kheng Hwee says the combined sales target for the Jazz is pegged at 2,400 units annually with the 1.3-litre variant expected to make up 60 percent of the volume.

Vincent Ng, Kah Motor product manager, believes the car will continue to be the market leader in the five-door hatchback segment.

“The Jazz has brought many new customers to the Honda brand and it is hoped the new model will carry on this trend. The 1.5-litre is predicted to attract more potential customers who are considering upgrading their cars,” he said.