Official: 2014 Honda Jazz

By SACarFan on 22 July, 2013 in New Models

We had our first look at the 2014 Honda Jazz three weeks ago via a leaked sales brochure from India, but now Honda has made an official announcement with details and photos of its new sub-compact hatch.

The design language of the 2014 Honda Jazz is completely new and one which Honda call ‘Exciting H Design’. New engines and transmissions are also part of the package.

The third generation Jazz’s more intricate lines and details are a far cry from those of its predecessors. The new Jazz is defined by harder lines, a sloped rear hatch, larger bumpers, narrower headlights and vertically styled tail-lights.

The interior also has plenty of harder lines, as well as new technology, not least of which is a large infotainment screen and touch-sensitive climate control panel. A speedometer dominates the driver’s instrument binnacle, which also includes new digital information displays that look to have been fashioned after those of the Honda CR-Z hybrid.

The Honda Jazz will launch in Japan this September with a choice of 1.3- and 1.5-litre petrol engines. The 1.3-litre unit develops 72 kW, while the 1.5-litre unit develops 96 kW. The new models will be equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard (much needed in our opinion), while an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) will be available as an option.

A new 1.5-litre Hybrid version will also be available with 100 kW and 170 Nm of torque. The new hybrid will be equipped with a first for Honda: a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Honda claim the new hyrbid to be 35 percent more efficient than the existing Jazz Hybrid, giving it an average of around 2.8 l/100km. The 2014 Jazz Hybrid also offers a choice of three driving modes: EV; Hybrid and Engine. These allow the driver to switch between all-electric propulsion, a hybrid combination of engine and electric motor, or as a conventional petrol-powered vehicle.

Honda will release more details of the new model closer to its Japanese launch date in September, however, we expect Honda SA to show the new car on their stand at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show in October.