All-New Honda Jazz Redefines B-Segment With Added Space, Versatility, Refinement And Technology
Arriving in Europe in summer 2015, the third-generation Jazz features bold yet sophisticated exterior and interior design, with unrivalled interior space and versatility. Occupants will benefit from increased refinement and advanced safety and infotainment technologies, as well as a highly efficient and dynamic driving experience.
While the newcomer retains the classic Jazz silhouette, it exhibits distinctive contemporary styling including a powerful new face and strong lines. The use of Honda’s cleverly packaged new global B-segment chassis means that the latest Jazz is even bigger on the inside. The company’s Magic Seats ® system ensures the interior offers unmatched versatility as well as class-leading space, with a range of configurations for carrying cargo and passengers.
High-quality soft-touch materials and thoughtful interior design provide a sophisticated ambience. With a seven-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash, Honda Connect is a new in-car infotainment system that offers internet browsing and access to real-time news, traffic and weather and numerous internet music stations.
The 2015 Jazz will be fitted with a new powerful and efficient 1.3 litre petrol engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series. A refined ride is allied to more responsive and engaging handling, thanks to a new, more rigid and lighter chassis and re-engineered suspension.
The Advanced Driver Assist System package, which employs a camera and mid-range radar, underpins a comprehensive suite of new advanced safety technologies that are being introduced across Honda’s new product line-up during 2015.
Honda’s new B-segment platform – shared with the all-new HR-V – employs highly efficient packaging solutions. A lower-profile fuel tank mounted under the front seats frees up underfloor space beneath the rear seats, enabling the platform to accommodate Honda’s innovative Magic Seats® system.
Longer by 95mm on the outside and with a 30mm longer wheelbase, new Jazz is endowed with astonishing interior passenger space: leg, shoulder and headroom in the front and rear are unrivalled in the class.
For load-lugging, new Jazz again trumps the competition with class-leading cargo space. Boot space has been increased to 354 litres (VDA)with the rear seats in use and 884 litres (VDA) with the rear seats down. Each of the 60:40 split Magic Seats® in the rear can adopt numerous configurations to maximise the versatility of the spacious interior.
In ‘Utility’ mode, the rear seat back folds forward as the seat base lowers to create a long, flat floor. In ‘Tall’ mode, the rear seat base is locked in a vertical position to leave space from floor to ceiling. ‘Long’ mode sees front and rear passenger seat backs fold forward to a horizontal position.
With a wide tailgate and a low load height, access to the boot is easy, while four tie-downs in the boot enable objects to be securely transported.
New chassis and dynamic set-up with powerful, efficient engine delivering refined driving characteristics
Thanks to its new global B-segment platform, new Jazz is lighter than its predecessor and benefits from greater rigidity.
Upgraded, lighter suspension components – MacPherson struts at the front and an H-type torsion beam at the rear – combine with the longer wheelbase to provide ride stability by naturally reducing pitching motions. New damper systems also improve ride quality for all occupants and reduce vibrations from the road into the cabin, and a new electric power-assisted steering system results in greater feedback for the driver.
New front suspension geometry provides more stable and composed handling, helping the response of the new Jazz feel more accurate, natural and agile through corners.
The new suspension also helps dampen road noise and vibration by reducing the intrusion of harsh body inputs for refined composure. Comprehensive soundproofing brings further improvements, notably reducing engine, road and wind noise. The dash area of the body received particular attention to reduce noise paths, while aerodynamic covers under the body reduce airflow noise while reducing aero drag.
The overall effect is that the new Jazz feels and sounds peerlessly sophisticated, with reassuringly composed and refined dynamics.
At launch, the Jazz will be available with the highly efficient, highly responsive 1.3 litre i-VTEC petrol engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series. Delivering 102 PS of power at 6,000 rpm, the new engine is mated to a six-speed manual (replacing the previous five-speed unit) or a semi-automatic CVT transmission.
Bold, fresh exterior design; refined and sophisticated cabin, with an advanced new infotainment system
An all-new exterior design brings Jazz into line with the full range of new and refreshed Honda models launching in 2015.
A distinctive new face echoes the ‘solid wing’ theme across the grille and headlamps that is shared across the 2105 Honda family. The bold X-shape of the face rises – around the lower edge of the headlamps, over the bonnet, and along the roof line to the rear roof spoiler – and falls to the lower bumper skirt, to create a secure, planted look.
Twin bodyside cut-in swage lines rise from the front wheel arch to give a forward leaning, purposeful in-motion look. At the rear, the tailgate spoiler and near-vertical rear windscreen provide a strong aesthetic, while angular rear combination lamps accentuate the bold design.
Inside, the cabin gives all occupants a sense of airy spaciousness thanks to a large windscreen that meets the roof panel a long way rearward. This, along with the large front quarter windows provides excellent forward visibility and admits plenty of light into the cabin.
Quality materials within the cabin include high-grade, sophisticated black soft-touch dash and trim surfaces with premium detailing, contrasting upholstery materials and polished chrome trim accents.
Steering wheel-mounted controls provide easy access to commonly used functions and enable the driver to switch between various information views on the centre console screen – either a five-inch LCD multi-information display or seven-inch Honda Connect infotainment touchscreen, depending on model grade.
The intuitive Honda Connect interface employs smartphone-style ‘pinch, swipe and tap‘ functionality. Running the Android operating system, it provides fast and easy access to internet-based services including internet browsing, real-time traffic, news and weather, social media, and internet music stations. Further apps can be installed from the purpose-designed Honda App Centre, enabling owners to personalise their connected infotainment experience, and integrated Garmin Navigation is available.
The Honda Connect touchscreen also displays vehicle information – such as trip meter, fuel economy and journey time.
In addition, the Honda Connect system syncs with smartphones and other multimedia devices through MirrorLink, WiFi, Bluetooth, HDMI and USB.
As with all new Honda vehicles sold in Europe, the Jazz is fitted with a number of premium active and passive safety technologies.
Available as an option on the entry-level model, and available as standard on all other grades, Honda’s suite of safety technologies known as the Advanced Driver Assist System includes Intelligent Speed Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition system, and High-beam Support System.
Honda’s City-Brake Active system will be fitted as standard on the Jazz.
Passive safety in the 2015 Jazz starts with Honda’s proprietary Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure technology that enhances occupant crash protection in frontal collisions. A network of connected structural elements distributes crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle, reducing the forces transferred to the passenger compartment. ACE™ also helps minimise the potential for under-ride or over-ride situations that can happen during head-on or offset frontal impacts with a larger or smaller vehicle.
