B-segment hatch to hit Thai showrooms with new tech and maintained prices.
That’s a very safe evolution…
This is the all-new Jazz which is entering its fourth generation after a world premiere at the Tokyo motor show this week.
As Honda’s B-segment hatchback has been a global success over the years, the design has evolved on a mild basis to ensure customers won’t get scared away.
With the same emphasis on practicality, the Jazz has a relatively upright stance to match space-oriented rivals like the Nissan Note. Opponents like the Mazda 2, Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris tend to prioritise stylish looks.
Inside the Jazz, Honda claims class-leading levels of versatility which is another important ingredient carried over from its predecessors. No dimensions have been revealed yet.
The dash has been modernised with a touchscreen and two-spoke steering wheel. As pictured here, the instrument panel is of the digital type serving the hybrid model.
They say it’s hybrid-only now?
Honda has not only used the Japanese car event to showcase the latest Jazz (known as Fit in Japan) but to additionally announce its new badge for hybrid-powered cars from now on.
Called e-HEV, the semi-electric Jazz has been confirmed with a dual-motor setup as used in the bigger Accord (and CR-V in Europe). No further details have been released, but it’s understood that the combustion engine will be smaller than the Accord’s 2.0-litre unit.
With such a powertrain, the Jazz e-HEV goes into direct contention with the just-announced Yaris. However, the hybrid-only notion for the Jazz applies to Europe and not yet for Thailand.
The most likely engine for the Thai market initially is 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol-turbo producing around 120hp to meet Ecocar Phase II rules. Today’s third-gen Jazz uses 117hp 1.5-litre petrol without turbo.
When is it coming to Thailand?
According to reliable sources, the Jazz is set to be introduced in Thailand in the first quarter of next year after rolling off local production lines before the year’s end (the deadline for Ecocar II project).
But before that will happen, the Thai Honda office will launch the brand-new City with a public debut at next month’s Motor Expo. This sedan sibling to the Jazz is also slated to use the new triple turbo unit.
In fact, Nissan’s all-new Almera sedan is also due at the same time with a similarly configured powertrain as in these two Hondas.
As the City and Jazz have never been tailored for Ecocar rules, expect the latest generations to gain on lowered excise tax for reduced or maintained retail prices. The current range is about 550,000-750,000 baht.
Honda has also developed a new body style for the Jazz featuring crossover-like traits such as roof rails and wheel arch strips. The grille and bumper design is also different from the regular Jazz.
Whether Honda will offer the so-called Crosstar (pictured below) in Thailand remains to be seen because there will certainly be a small premium in price for it. The MG 3 Xross was once sold in the country, but sales ceased due to low demand.
