Honda's most successful supermini, the Jazz/Fit has grown taller, bigger and more chunky into its 2nd generation. It looks more like a ultra-compact minivan/MPV and would have been one if it has third row seatings. In fact, it is more akin to a monoblock hatch now, rather than the 2-box design of its predecessor.
What's new to this Jazz replacement model is the updated 1.5L motor which currently beats with Honda's famed i-VTEC variable cam-lift-and-timing trickery. In Malaysia, and much of ASEAN market - the JDM Fit still has CVT - its driveline is now a more conventional 5-speed A/T torque converter 'box. Honda claims that the local motoring crowd prefers a more 'exhilarating' aka 'sportier' drive (feel) associated with regular auto tranny. I leave it to you to be the judge of character here, because I definitely missed the smoothness of the previous CVT.
In all fairness, the Jazz has pretty decent handling and is sure footed around bends. Ride comfort is also good with predictable body roll. Interior space is wonderful and there are plenty of cubbyholes. Practical and versatile, no doubt about that. Boot space is very decent for a B-segment hatch (vs my wife's Mitsu Colt). While the interior plastics are nothing to shout about, especially in contrast to the almost similar-priced Civic 1.8S (CKD), Honda still has got the touch to making its textured plastic trims looked soft and thus, deceptively more premium than it really is.
Frontal visage depicts Honda's new design language. As seen in the 3-D grille design (ala FCX Clarity), slim-slanty headlamps, loss of body coloured claddings between grille & headlights and a more sculpted front bumper. Foglamps section reminds one of the new Accord.
1.5 i-VTEC lump seen lurking in the engine bay. No more i-DSI option for the 2009 City. Likely 5-speed auto tranny similar to the new Jazz. 
Dash design simple and low rent. Centre console portion a wee bit gawky, with A/C controls/switches section aping old Vios to a certain extent!
Seats looked adequately sized (for its class). No short seat bottom like your 'Desirable' arch rival please Honda!
Steering nicked from 8th gen Civic, Stream et al. High-spec version of new City likely to have paddle shifters...and on-steering audio switches too from Honda Malaysia?
Solid disc adorn the rear axle. Take note of the sticky anti-rust coating in wheel arch. Great for improving NVH as well. Are we to get it too for our Melaka-born Citys?
Errr...doesn't this butt remind you of the 8th generation Mitsubishi Galant (1999-2003)?
“The 2nd Generation Jazz presents one of the toughest challenges in the development of a car of its kind as its predecessor already set a high benchmark in the compact 5-door hatchback segment,” said Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto, Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in his speech at the unconventional launch of All-New Jazz.
He continued to describe the All-New Jazz development as an ‘evolution’ that takes the class-leading and well-received elements of the first generation and improves on them within the limits of price and size. “This is much more challenging than changing a car’s total design; but it pushes us to innovate further so that our customers get even more value out of the similarly compact All-New Jazz,” he said.
Also at the launch event was Mr. Kohei Hitomi, Chief Engineer from Honda R&D in
The result is a premium and class-leading compact 5-door hatchback with further improved and evolved ‘DNA’ from the 1st Generation Jazz, which includes its design, utility, drivability and fuel consumption.
Mr. Fujimoto added that the All-New Jazz will continue to appeal to both female and male, aged 25 to 39 years old, determined young singles and families who seek to be discerned and unconventional, and yet enjoy a car that is highly practical and reliable.
Key highlights of the 2nd Generation Jazz are its dynamic exterior styling, best-in-class spaciousness and comfort, class-leading performance and drivability with good fuel efficiency, and advanced safety features – all befitting of its new and PREMIUM image.
The front pillar of the All-New Jazz has been moved forward to create exhilarating effects on both exterior styling and interior space. Externally, the advanced super-forward form enhances the aerodynamic and energetic appearance of the car. Internally, the cabin features an ingenious layout that increase spaciousness equivalent to an average medium-sized sedan, providing passengers a natural feeling of comfort. It also makes way for an extended and larger wind shield which provides better visibility for the driver.
Another noteworthy achievement in the 2nd Generation Jazz is its enhanced utility. It provides a variety of seating and trunk utilities that maximise seating flexibility and cargo space. This includes extension of space and usage via the enhanced ULTRA Seat, which operates in the Utility, Long and Tall modes. These three modes enable car owners to load objects of different sizes into the car, enhancing the practicality of the car for today’s car owners and drivers.
The safety performance of the All-New Jazz comes with the revolutionary G-CON Technology with body structure designed to spread out and disperse collision impact so as to limit cabin intrusion to effectively minimise driver and passengers as well as pedestrian injuries. It is also fitted with Dual SRS Airbags and ABS system.
According to Mr. Fumihiko Ike, President & Chief Executive Officer of Asian Honda Motor Co. Ltd in Thailand, the All-New Jazz maintained the number one market position in Japan for the ninth consecutive month in July 2008 since its introduction in October last year. Its cumulative sale in
Within the Asia & Oceania region, the All-New Jazz has already launched in
“Based on these successes as well as strong acceptance of the 1st Generation Jazz in
In
In addition to introducing the All-New Jazz via a thematic fashion show, Honda Malaysia is reaching out to its target audience via an Internet portal at www.defyconvention.com.my. To create a buzz and excitement leading to the launch, visitors of the site could subscribe to the weekly e-newsletter to get latest updates and information on the All-New Jazz, such as interviews with the creative team behind the launch and fashion show and its themes. Starting today, visitors will also get to see first-hand the television commercial of the All-New Jazz on the website, before it broadcast on TV on 27th August.
To reward the first 300 customers of the All-New Jazz, Honda Malaysia has also commissioned the three designers, Khoon Hooi, Melinda Looi and Jonathan Cheng, to design 300 pieces of exclusive polo t-shirts. Each piece will have its own unique design.
Starting today, customers can visit all authorised Honda showrooms nearby to view and test-drive the All-New Jazz. For more information, please call Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020, or log on to www.defyconvention.com.my.
All-new Honda Jazz defies conventional pricing in Malaysia
The all-new Jazz has been launched by Honda Malaysia at a glitzy media-and-public invitation- only event at the KL Convention Centre yesterday. True to its 'Defy Convention' tag line, the fully-imported Jazz can be yours for RM104,800 for the 'S' spec while the premium version tagged 'V' is at RM109,800 (OTR with insurance).
Larger in cabin and longer at its wheelbase by 50mm, the 2nd generation Jazz continues its space, versatality and practicality themes in a compact package. Quite a few have lamented about the new Jazz mimicking much of the old, especially the rear but towards this, For Wheels reckoned: "Why radically change a proven formula?"
Appearing gorgeous along with the sultry models is the all-new Jazz in Cerulean Blue Metallic looking much re-energised and refreshed.
Powering the 2008/09 Jazz is Honda's L15A 1.5L i-VTEC powerplant capable of 120ps @ 6,600rpm and 145Nm of max torque at 4,800rpm. Also new to the 2nd generation Jazz is a 5-speed autobox in place of the predecessor's efficient and economical CVT. The compact 1,497cc 4-pot now wears a 16-valved SOHC instead of the previous' twelve. i-VTEC 'trickery' denotes both variable valve timing as well as variable valve lift mechanism. Honda claims a 24km/l fuel economy achieved with Japan Domestic Market's (JDM) Fit with CVT. However, with a torque converter tranny I truly doubt that will be achievable here in Malaysia, what's more with our A/C-always-on and real-world congested traffic conditions.
