2014 Honda Jazz unveiled

The all-new third generation 2014 Honda Jazz has been revealed ahead of its Australian launch mid next year, sporting a fresh new look and an updated hybrid engine paired with a dual-clutch seven-speed auto transmission.

Boasting a modern design with angular headlight motif, the new model will be offered with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains, the latter sipping fuel at a miserly 2.7L/100km according to Japanese figures.

The car's contemporary appearance is part of Honda's new design language dubbed "Exciting H" and features a more technical look with LED daytime running lights on some models. The interior, too, looks more modern with a large touch-screen infotainment system dominating proceedings.

The rear end shows off new brake light styling that stretches up towards the roofline, and is part of what Honda's global design chief Toshinobu Minami says is a more intriguing appearance.

"We wanted a more emotional contrast in the design," he said. "The character line captures the contrast of a round shape being pierced. The back end is sportier, the hood more pronounced. The interior isn't plasticky at all." 

Based on a new platform that will also underpin Honda's upcoming compact SUV based hinted at with the Urban SUV concept, the new Jazz will be a key part of a Honda Australia new product push in 2014 which will include the aforementioned SUV and a new Odyssey in early 2014.

An all-new Honda NSX supercar is then expected to arrive in 2015, providing Honda a much-needed dose of "Exciting H".

Christened the Honda Fit elsewhere in the world, petrol versions of the new-look Jazz are expected to take up the lion's share of sales in Australia, likely to adopt similar engines to those currently available. That means 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol engines, though Honda could spring a surprise and offer a wider range of engines, such as a new 1.2-litre petrol engine.

A compact turbo-diesel engine has also been mooted for some markets, though it's unclear whether it will be offered locally.

The Jazz Hybrid will be the halo model of the range thanks to its advanced 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine augmented by a beefed-up electric motor and lithium-ion battery. It pumps out an above-average 100kW/182Nm, a big improvement over the current model's 72kW/167Nm. The car's claimed 2.7L/100km fuel consumption is also considerably better than the 2013 Jazz Hybrid's claimed 4.5L/100km.

One of the reasons for the hybrid's ultra-low fuel consumption is the third-generation Jazz Hybrid's ability to run on pure electricity for up to three kilometres at low speeds, such as in city traffic. The current version of the Jazz Hybrid can only operate with both petrol and electric motors running in tandem.

The hybridised high-tech Jazz also eschews a CVT auto transmission for a new seven-speed dual clutch automatic, which could give the car a more sporting character: Honda dubs it the Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD).

Fuel-savings are expected across the Jazz range thanks to a handful of new powertrain and chassis updates, including a new electric servo braking system. The car will also retain its popular magic seats and spacious interior.

Honda Australia was unavailable for comment on pricing, but said the new Jazz will be here in mid 2014, ahead of its expected Japanese introduction from September 2013.

In related Honda news, the company has revealed a sketch of its new mini-MPV that will sit underneath the Odyssey. No name has been attached to the vehicle which will be driven by a similar 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol to the Jazz.

The compact three-row, seven seat people-mover has been designed specifically for the Indonesian market, where MPVs account for more sales than any other class of vehicle. It will also be built in Indonesia at Honda's second Kawawang plant and will be unveiled on September 19 at the Indonesia motor show in Jakarta.

Sales of the Honda Jazz have dropped 26.9 per cent in the first six
months of 2013, from 4914 for the same period last year to 3592, for
5.3% market share in the light car class. The market leader in the light
car class thus far in 2013 is the ageing Mazda2, with 8526 sales
(12.5%), followed by the Toyota Yaris with 7604 sales (11.2%).

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