The Honda Jazz facelift has been previewed in
Malaysia. It’s effectively the first public showing of the car in the world.
The car being shown in the country is a Jazz Hybrid,
which is one of the two versions of the facelift that will be sold here, the
other being a petrol version. Malaysia will be the first country outside Japan
to introduce the Hybrid, with deliveries here set to begin from August. The Malaysian display car features a differently styled front bumper to the
Japanese version, and is also dressed in a different wheel design.
The Hybrid utilises the automaker’s Sport Hybrid
Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD) system, which is led by a 110 PS and 134
Nm 1.5 litre i-VTEC Atkinson-cycle engine. The mill is paired with a
seven-speed dual clutch transmission featuring a built-in motor offering 29.5
PS and 160 Nm and a lithium-ion battery. Total system output is rated at 137
PS.
The electric motor features a wide ratio range and
electric servo brakes in its design. The clutch is engaged to the engine during
acceleration and high-speed cruising, and disengaged during startup and low- to
medium-speed cruising. The transmission is also disconnected from the engine
during deceleration to aid energy regeneration.
The petrol variant, which will go on sale ahead of
the Hybrid sometime in the present quarter, will likely soldier on with the
same 1.5 litre i-VTEC four-cylinder engine that produces 120 PS at 6,600 rpm
and 145 Nm at 4,600 rpm, mated to an Earth Dreams continuously variable
transmission (CVT).
In terms of equipment levels, LED DRLs and keyless
entry/push start will now be standard across the board. Part-leather seats, a
multi-angle reverse camera, ABS/BA/VSA/HSA and six airbags will also available,
but likely not at the entry level variant. Order books have opened for both
petrol and hybrid versions of the Jazz facelift.
