Honda
has finally put the facelifted Jazz on sale in its home market of Japan today,
where it is badged the Honda Fit. Available in petrol and Hybrid versions as
before, the revised B-segment hatchback comes with rejigged looks as well as a
host of new safety equipment.
The Japanese model gains a new front
fascia, consisting of a tweaked grille design with chrome trim on the lower
edge, as well as a reprofiled front bumper; the rear bumper has been redesigned
as well with smaller faux air vents. There’s also a new design for the 15-inch
alloy wheel option, while the 16-inch two-tone version receives a new gloss
black finish on the inner spokes.
Sportier S and RS models get sportier, more
aggressive bumpers, side skirts and a larger rear spoiler, along with gloss
black mirror caps. Buyers can also specify new LED headlights, LED fog lights
and a different LED tail light design with light guides that stretch upwards
towards the roof. New colours include Rouge Amethyst Metallic, Sky Ride Blue
Metallic, Premium Yellow Pearl II, Lunar Silver Metallic and Shining Grey
Metallic.
The interior sees few changes, with only the Hybrid
models gaining a new Premium Brown interior colour scheme on the seats,
steering wheel and door panels. Also added is a new optional InterNavi
navigation system with and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The range consists of two petrol models
and a Hybrid variant. Base models get a 1.3 litre Atkinson-cycle DOHC i-VTEC
four-cylinder engine that produces 100 PS at 6,000 rpm and 119 Nm of torque at
5,000 rpm, capable of delivering 24.6 km per litre on the Japanese JC08 cycle.
A larger 1.5 litre version with direct injection pushes out 132 PS at 6,600 rpm
and 155 Nm at 4,600 rpm, and is capable of 22.2 km per litre.
The Hybrid model mates a 110 PS/134 Nm 1.5 litre
petrol mill with a 30 PS/160 Nm electric motor integrated into a seven-speed
dual-clutch transmission, along with a lithium-ion battery. The result is 137
PS and 170 Nm, as well as a fuel consumption figure of 37.2 km per litre – up
from 36.4 km per litre before.
Honda has revised the Sport Hybrid i-DCD powertrain
to improve the smoothness of acceleration, and has also made the system more
durable thanks to two years of on-road testing on Malaysian roads to prepare
the Hybrid model for our market – Japanese and Malaysian models share the same
hardware and tuning. Comfort and refinement has also been improved, thanks to a
more rigid body structure and revised dampers, plus an acoustic front
windscreen on the range-topping Hybrid S model.
Safety-wise, the Fit now comes with the Honda
Sensing suite of driver assists, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC),
autonomous Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Keeping Assist
System (LKAS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Road Departure Warning (RDW) and
Mitigation (RDM), false start suppression, traffic sign detection and a vehicle
start warning to alert drivers when the vehicle in front is leaving from a
traffic light stop.
Pricing starts at 1,428,840 yen for the
13G F with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a CVT, rising up to 1,653,480
yen for the 13G L with Honda Sensing and a CVT; the 13G S costs
1,790,640 yen. Meanwhile, the 15 XL retails at 1,853,280 yen, and the 15 RS with the choice of either a six-speed manual or a CVT
tops out at 2,015,280 yen.
Meanwhile, the Hybrid range starts at 1,699,920 yen, with the Hybrid F model carrying a slight premium at 1,815,480 yen. The Hybrid L with Honda Sensing costs 2,079,000 yen, and
the top-spec Hybrid S is priced at 2,205,360 yen. All-wheel drive
costs an extra 194,400 yen across the range.