Soon after launching the facelifted Honda Fit (Honda
Jazz) in Japan last year, Honda introduced a Cross Style accessory package for
it. In the latest, Mag-X has created a rendering of the next-gen Honda Fit
Cross Style.
Unlike in India and Latin America, Honda doesn’t
sell the WR-V in Japan. The current Honda Fit Cross Style isn’t as rugged as
the Honda WR-V, but the rendered next-gen Honda Fit Cross Style seems more
adventurous. The wannabe crossover appears to have black body cladding all
around, and it features flush roof rails too. The rendering previews a Honda
Civic-inspired headlamp and upper grille design as well.
The biggest news expected from the next-gen Honda
Jazz is about its Hybrid variant, which will employ the all-new i-MMD two-motor
hybrid powertrain. The current Honda Jazz Hybrid and other small hybrid models
from Honda use the i-DCD single-motor hybrid powertrain.
The i-MMD system was initially costlier because it
comprised a 2.0-litre engine and two electric motors. However, the company
started offering it in 1.5-litre ICE-2-motor combination beginning with the
Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid PHEV in 2017. This year, the all-new Honda Insight
HEV was introduced with the i-MMD system combining a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine
and two electric motors. With the next-gen Honda Jazz Hybrid, the i-MMD
system’s availability will expand to an even lower class of vehicles.
Japanese reports say that the next-gen Honda Jazz
Hybrid will get the Honda Insight’s version of the i-MMD system that delivers
52 mpg (22.11 km/l). The fourth generation Honda Jazz will have a pure electric
variant as well.
The next-gen Honda Fit (next-gen Honda Jazz) and its
Cross Style variant will likely arrive in 2020. Before that model, the next-gen
Honda HR-V could debut in the fall of 2019.
