Honda Malaysia earlier today unveiled the new Honda Jazz facelift that is available in three 1.5-litre petrol variants and a new Hybrid model. The new Jazz now features Push Start Button with Smart Entry and a minimum of 15-inch alloy wheels as standard across all variants. While upgrades are mostly aesthetic with additional features for all variants, Honda’s new sporty Hybrid Jazz should be on everyone’s shopping list for a new hatchback, here’s why.
First and Only Debut Outside of Japan
Credit: Honda
Malaysia has become the first and only country outside of Japan to get the third generation Jazz Hybrid. For Honda in Malaysia, Hybrid vehicles isn’t new to the brand. In fact, it has been 10 years since the brand introduced the Civic Hybrid to the Malaysian market, and since then, have seen other models that include the Insight, CR-Z and the previous generation Jazz Hybrid that was locally assembled until the end of its generation cycle in 2014.
It Features A New Sport Hybrid i-DCD System
Credit: Honda
The i-DCD stands for Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive Hybrid system, and unlike its predecessor, is one that is touted to provide excellent acceleration for a sportier driving experience. The new Hybrid System is powered by a lithium-ion battery that has 1.5 times more electricity storage than before, yet is more compact in size. What separates the Jazz Hybrid with the standard Jazz is that although both combustion engine’s are 1.5-litres, the one in the Hybrid is a DOHC i-VTEC unit. When electric motor and combustion engine comes together, the system delivers up to 135 horsepower, equivalent to a 1.8-litre engine.
Credit: Honda
Unlike the previous generation IMA hybrid system, the new Jazz Hybrid allows for more independent functioning of the electric motor which allows the car to run more on EV mode.
It Was Tested In Malaysia for Two Years
Credit: Honda
To ensure that the Jazz Hybrid meets the standards for local driving styles and conditions, the Malaysian Honda R&D facility tested the Jazz Hybrid for 2 years over 7,000km on Malaysian roads across various road conditions.
It Comes With A Compact 7-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission
Here the electric motor is so small that it fits inside the transmission case. Credit: Honda
Dual clutch transmissions basically automate gear changes using two clutches while retaining the structure, low power loss and strong acceleration of a conventional manual transmission. The immediacy of the gear changes are thanks to the use of two clutches that are paired with odd and even-numbered gears. Honda has managed to reduce the size of the DCT unit by designing the first gear as a planetary gear, decreasing its size in relation to the constant mesh gears.
Well-equipped and Safe
Seen here is the new Jazz interior. The Hybrid variant features a different meter cluster and shifter.
Credit: Honda
The new Jazz Hybrid will be available in one variant that shares the same specifications as the E grade petrol Jazz but with Cruise Control included. Here the new Jazz has a 5-star Asean NCAP safety rating, with brake assist and ABS as standard, while vehicle stability assist, emergency stop signal and hill start assist made available across E, V and Hybrid variants.
Specifications
| Honda | Jazz 1.5L | Jazz Hybrid |
| Power | 118 hp | 108 hp (combustion engine) 30 hp (electric motor) 135 hp (combined) |
| Torque | 145Nm at 4,600 rpm | 134Nm at 5,000 rpm (combustion engine) 160Nm at 0 to 1,313 rpm (electric motor) |
| Engine Capacity | 1.5-litre 4-cyl SOHC i-VTEC | 1.5-litre 4-cyl DOHC i-VTEC |
| Transmission | Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) | 7-Speed Dual-Clutch |
| Price | RM 74,800 (S), RM 81,000 (E), RM 88,400 (V) |
RM 87,500 |
Warranty for both the new Jazz and Jazz Hybrid is 5 years with unlimited mileage at 10,000km service intervals, while the warranty on the Lithium-ion battery on the Jazz Hybrid will be 8 years. The cost of the battery replacement in due time, is RM5,500.
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