New Honda Jazz/Fit previewed in Japan

KUALA LUMPUR: Known as the Jazz in the local market, the Honda Fit has arrived in a new avatar in Japan. The latest version gets mild visual updates, increased power output, and an aggressively looking e:HEV RS variant. 

While Honda has no plans of bringing the Jazz back to Malaysia as it is replaced by the City Hatchback, all we can do here is to look at it with envy. 

The revised range of the hatchback consists - Basic, Home, Luxe, Crosstar, and RS trims, out of which the sport RS loaded with the most notable enhancements. It features a distinctive mesh on the grille with the restyled bumper and significantly larger intakes. Also part of the hatch’s sporty kit are red RS badges, larger alloy wheels, deeper side sills, and a rear spoiler. 

Inside, the new Fit RS distinguishes itself with a new “deceleration selector” as paddles for managing regenerative braking, a new drive mode selector, and contrasting stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. However, the rest of the stuff remains identical to the lower variants, including a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster.

Coming to the 2022 Honda Fit mechanical setup, here the hybrid mill offers an increased power output and better accelerator response, says Honda. However, the exact numbers are not yet revealed. As for reference, the outgoing version powered by an i-MMD (intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) technology delivers a maximum output of 109 PS and a peak torque of 253 Nm. 

Other than the hybrid, the automaker will continue to offer the car with an internal combustion engine in the Japanese market, unlike in Europe, where its twin-model is offered exclusively in hybrid form.

In terms of safety, the upgraded car will be equipped with Honda Sensing as standard. It will include the following safety gears -

• Autonomous emergency braking
• False start suppression
• Lane keeping assist
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Auto high beam

More details on the new Honda Fit are expected to roll out closer to its launch, which is scheduled to take place later this year.

Also read: City is Honda Malaysia’s best seller, says its H1 2022 sales report