New Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz is already the car of choice in the UK’s fiercely contested supermini sector. Its cheeky style, clever packaging and superb efficiency have earned it huge respect. So it’s no surprise that the model has won many awards and introduced many new customers to the brand. Indeed, Jazz is currently Honda’s strongest selling individual model and third most popular retail car in its class.

Now it’s about to get a whole lot better - with strong sales of the 2004 Jazz allowing an early introduction of next year’s improved model. The revised range will comprise 1.2 S, 1.4 SE and 1.4 Sport grades (replacing the current 1.4 S / SE / SE Sport line up), with the entry point starting at £8,600 when sales begin on 6 October.

With a 1246 cc petrol engine serving up 78 PS, the 1.2 offers thrust very similar to the larger i-DSi unit: 0-62 mph dispatched in 13.7 sec and top speed of 106 mph. More importantly it also offers fuel economy of 51.4 mpg in the EU combined test, with CO2 emissions of just 129 g/km. Aside from the engine the 1.2 model also benefits from redesigned front and rear bumpers plus metallic garnish for the fascia controls.

Bigger changes are in store for the SE and Sport grades which feature new headlamp and rear light cluster designs, door mirror-mounted LED indicators and new style 15 in alloy wheels (previously the SE had 14 in steel rims).

Turning to the interior, the SE and Sport models have new textured seat fabric, self-illuminating instrument dials similar to the Accord, and a new sporty steering wheel. Other refinements include a new stereo system with steering wheel mounted remote controls, an outside temperature gauge, chrome handbrake button and, on CVT models, steering wheel mounted paddles in place of buttons (the left hand paddle is used to change down, that on the right to change up a gear).

The 1.4 Sport gains further substantial improvements. It now has its own look with sport front grille, unique alloy wheels, stylish body kit plus front foglights. Additionally it gains fully automatic climate control air conditioning and associated digital display as well as black interior trim.

Four new colours are introduced to the Jazz range for the 2005 YM, including Sirius Blue, Macha Crame (green) and Venus Orange metallics, plus Helios Yellow pearlescent.