Facelifted 2011 Honda Jazz on sale in Australia!

Honda has announced the release of the new 2011 Honda Jazz for Australians. ABS, Brake Assist, VSA and side/curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Jazz models. A mesh-like grille design along with a revised front end and LED tailights round out the exterior modifications. A satin-finish centre panel, the MID information display, USB audio and Bluetooth-mounted A-pillar are new equipment for the 2011 Jazz. Prices for the Jazz remain the same over the 2010 model with the base GLi manual start at $16 990 topping out at $22 690 for the VTi-S automatic.

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE FALLOUT: Honda Fit Inventory Safe

Honda's inventory in the States for the Civic and Fit are good. Honda's Civic production is fine and supplies are "adequate". Several vehicle plants remain closed through Wednesday. Actual production dates of some of the dealer orders will be delayed for some amount of time.

New Zealand gets hands on the New Honda Jazz

Honda NZ has just landed its updated 2011 Jazz sub-compact hatchbacks. The latest version of the popular model comes with fresh styling to the exterior and interior, new features, new colours, Electronic Stability Control and a 5 Star Euro NCAP Safety rating.

There are now seven colours for Jazz buyers to choose from, with the addition of Fresh Lime Green, Sunset Orange and Storm Silver. The styling updates affect the Jazz’s front and rear bumpers, grille, headlights and tail-lights.

New standard features on the 2011 Jazz range include Electronic Stability Control (Honda’s VSA), improved look and feel to the interior upholstery, trip computer integration with the steering wheel controls and passenger seat-belt reminders. The interior and dash layout upgrade includes amber interior and instrument panel lighting to enhance the driving experience.

The Jazz 1.3S model now comes standard with 15” alloy wheels, rear spoiler and cruise control, while all 1.3 and 1.5 litre models receive new dynamic styling to the front and rear bumpers, grille and lower skirts.

The i-VTEC engine, combined with either the 5-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual (1.3S models only), remains unchanged. The 1.5 litre Jazz achieves power of 88kW and torque of 145Nm, and the 1.3 litre, power of 73kW and torque of 127Nm.  Racing inspired paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow gear shifts in automatic mode or full manual operation in ‘Sport’ mode for driver control.

Free Servicing on new UK Honda Jazz

Customers can benefit from three years' complimentary servicing and a range of competitive finance options to help drive down running costs on their new Honda Jazz.

Those looking to purchase the entry level Honda Jazz 1.2 S will be eligible for a £800 customer saving with prices now starting at £10,495. Customers upgrading to the 1.2 Honda Jazz S (with A/C) will pay just £10,995 - representing a £1,000 saving. The rest of the range, including the Honda Jazz Hybrid, will benefit from Honda's three years' complimentary servicing.

Another enticing offer is the popular 50/50 12 month finance plan available on Honda Jazz Hybrid and 1.4-litre petrol models. On this plan, customers avoid monthly payments by paying half on collection and the other half a year later, with 0 per cent APR. A huge 45 per cent of customers took advantage of this offer last time it was available on the Honda Jazz.

To break the cost of a new car into manageable monthly payments, a range of flexible finance options are also available across the range. With a 25 per cent deposit, customers can secure a 5.9 per cent PCP over three years, while those with a smaller deposit of 10 per cent can secure a 7.9 per cent PCP over the same duration. A two year 0 per cent HP is available on 1.4-litre and Hybrid variants.

The revised Honda Jazz supermini continues to win praise for its reliability and practicality and this has contributed to appealing residual value figures. CAP estimations show that the Honda Jazz will retain up to 37 per cent of its value after three years/60,000 miles. These predictions give Honda Jazz the highest value retention of any mainstream hybrid with the top-of-the-range HX model worth £6,727 after three years/60,000 miles.

The new Honda Jazz has also been allocated insurance groups. The entry level 1.2-litre variant falls into insurance group 13, while the rest of the line-up fall into group 16.

Dave Hodgetts, Managing Director, Honda (UK), commented: "Jazz is a much-loved car and the latest generation is well on course to build on that popularity. We have boosted the car's appeal with the addition of the CVT transmission and introduction of leather upholstery, while retaining all the features customers loved about the outgoing model including Magic Seats and a huge boot.

"The Hybrid variant shows how driving down emissions and running costs doesn't mean a sacrifice in other areas - the car retains all the practicality that can be found in the petrol range. There's simply no compromise.

"The introductory offer will really help drive down the cost of new Jazz ownership. Customers purchasing the Hybrid will not only receive three years free servicing but they will also benefit from free road tax for the first year and only £10 a year thereafter."

Consumer Reports Releases Ratings

Honda's 2011 Fit won Best Value and Best Used Small Car

Honda topped Consumer Reports' annual rankings of automakers for 2011. No Honda product scores less than average in reliability and CR recommends 76% of Hondas it has tested. Recent Honda models including the CR-Z and Insight have been disappointing and have not been recommended due to their low score. The redesigned Odyssey is also down a couple of points compared to the 2010 model.

In other categories, the Honda Fit won Best Value for a Small Car along with Best Used Small Car, the Acura TSX 4-cyl won Best Value for Upscale Sedan, the Acura RL won Best Used Luxury Car, the Honda CR-V winning Best Used Compact SUV and the Ridgeline winning Best Used Pickup Truck.

Would you like your 2011 Honda Jazz in Blue?

The front end of the 2011 Honda Jazz/Fit is slightly revised for a more playful and streamlined front end.  

The 2011 Honda Jazz receives some slight aerodynamic improvements, however this does not impact its overall aerodynamic efficiency rating. 

The 2011 Honda Jazz receives a refreshed and remodelled rear bumper.

The interior does not play host to many changes but there are color coordinating changes along with more standard equipment and interior lighting. 

The 2011 Honda Jazz will be available in a multitude of options including a panoramic roof. 

EXTENDED: 2009-2010 Honda Fits Recall In-Depth

100 000 2009-2010 Honda Fits in the United States and 15 000 2009-2010 Honda Fits in Canada are being recalled after problems with engine components could cause the car to stall. The bulk of the recalled models are in Asia, Japan and China where 230 000, 168 000 and 160 000 Freeds/Fits/Citys have been recalled. Bangkok's recalled models sit at 90 000 Jazzes. In India, that number sits at 58 000 Honda City sedans. 11 100 Honda City sedans and Fit hatchbacks are affected in Australia. Singapore is one of the lesser affected regions with 2 000 City sedans and Fit models affected by the recall. In total, 700 000 models produced on the Fit platform (Freed/City/Fit) are affected worldwide. 

2011 Honda Fit debuts in the UK

Honda's new Jazz Hybrid will utilize a unique system that will have the battery pack sit under the boot floor to retain the flexible seating of the Fit and provide 300 litres of boot space, 1320 litres with the seats folded. The Jazz Hybrid also has a reclining seatback with blue lighting and available leather. On the outside, the Hybrid will receive special headlights, blue chrome grille, clear taillights and a revised front/rear bumpers. Honda is quoting 0-100 in the Hybrid engine to 12.6 seconds and 4.5L/100km combined and has 104g/km emissions.

The regular Jazz model will have a darker interior options and have orange lighting. A new storage compartment (where the battery would be in the Hybrid) has been introduced worth about 19 litres. The exterior and suspension have all been revised.

The new Jazz will debut across Europe, Asia and Africa in the coming months.

BREAKING NEWS: MASSIVE HONDA FIT/CITY/FREED RECALL

Honda has announced that the company is recalling around 700,000 vehicles globally for faulty lost motion springs in the valve train. The springs may fatigue and break over time, causing the engine to stall as a result. The recall covers certain 2009-2010 Fit, Freed and City models, and so far the company has received a total of 72 complaints of the issue in Japan and 29 complaints from elsewhere in the world.

No injuries or accidents have been reported as a result of the problem.

2013 Honda Fit/Jazz Renderings

AutoTen has a couple of information tidbits and drawings/renderings of the next Honda Fit set to debut in late 2013. Here's the link http://autoten.com/

Mag-X has begun speculating on the specs of the next gen Fit. It looks like most of the virtues of the current car will carryover to the next generation, economy, versatility, handling. As well, it doesn't look like the design will change too much. Silver taillights and a redesigned grille is expected. The current Fit Hybrid is set to get further exterior seperation from its Fit counterpart. Size of the new Fit/Jazz will not change too much.

Engines will differ from petrol as well as diesel engines as well as a hybrid model. Honda is also set to cut production costs of this new generation as imported parts used will increase from 17% to 40% allowing a 15% price cut on the new Fit saving Honda around 70-80 billion yen.

In China, India and Thailand, Honda will use 100% local parts to save money.

Honda Fit Tops Japan Sales for January 2011

After defending its title for 20 straight months through December, Toyota's Prius hybrid lost out to the Honda Fit as the best-selling new vehicle in January, the Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Friday.

Prius sales slid 38.5% to 13,711, good enough for second place. Sales of the Fit rose 13.9% on the year to 14,873 cars.

The hybrid version of the Fit has been selling well since its release in October, helping push up overall Fit sales for the second straight month.

2011 Honda Fit in Canada

Honda Canada's 2011 Fit DX is available in 3 colors

After a slightly delay in production, the 2011 Honda Fit is now in dealerships across Canada. There are no changes save for the color options on the DX and DX-A (DX with Air Conditioning) trims in Canada. The DX model is only available with a manual, you must step up to the DX-A in order to opt for an automatic transmission. There is no NAVI option for the Sport model unlike Fits in the United States. Along with that, there is no price increase, the DX starts at $14 480 MSRP up to the Sport priced at $18 780 MSRP.

For more information, visit Honda Canada's website @ http://honda.ca/fit

2011/2012 Crucial for Honda India

Honda's upcoming mini car, the Brio

Honda's current Jazz in India, to be facelifted come later this year

The Brio promises to be a classy, yet affordable, hatchback from the Honda stable built on a new 2CV concept equipped with features like a chrome stripe grill, bold looks, upward sweeping body lines and a forward inclined stance giving it a futuristic feel. The car will be propelled by a 1.2-litre Honda Jazz engine followed by a 1-litre motor in the future. Prominent headlamp pods set in black surrounds with a bit of chrome dominate the front while the all glass rear and low tail lights with a smoked-out effect make for an attractive rear. The Honda Brio is 3.6 meters in length and promises to be good to drive and easy to handle. The Brio doesn't have a central console and the instrument panel, music system and all rest has been aligned straight. The concept model had a double DIN music system, a driver airbag and fixed head restraints for front seats. Brio is likely to be priced around Rs 4.5 lakh (Rs 450,000) and will hit Indian showrooms sometime around September.

The Honda Jazz was recently spotted on Indian roads and the spy shots were published by an auto magazine. The face-lifted Jazz is likely to have new bumpers, grille and headlamps. The rear might get new tail-lamps with LED bulbs thought the car in the spy shots has the same rear as the existing Jazz. The car is likely to have the same 1.2-liter unit tweaked to be more fuel efficient. Honda is likely to retune the suspension of the Jazz and introduce a new steering set up to improve the ride and handling. Jazz comes with a CVT transmission in other markets. It is likely that Honda might think of bringing the CVT-equipped Jazz to the country.

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda is set to introduce the smallest and cheapest hybrid in the UK in the next couple of months. It will be the UK's first hybrid supermini. Unfortunately, reviewers are claiming that the Jazz Hybrid is not as green as it supposedly sounds. It has CO2 emissions of 104g/km, higher than the 89g/km from the Auris and higher than the 99g/km from the Fiesta.

Honda product managers claimed that the Jazz Hybrid was not specifically engineered for the UK or to avoid the London congestion charge @ 100g/km. And if they were to do so, they would have to install a larger battery or remove sound-deadening material which would cause the Jazz to lose refinement.

However, Honda is still confident that its latest rendition of the Jazz will be a very popular model, especially in the fleets. It will be priced at GBP 15 995 (US $25 500~), around GBP 3 000 lower than the Toyota Auris Hybrid.

Honda Fit Hybrid at the Tokyo Auto Salon

A modded Honda Fit Hybrid with the manual transmission ... tasteful yes/no?

Honda Jazz Road Test from AutoVehicle

MIXED emotions can usually be found well to the fore when a particular car model reaches the end of its showroom career.

In most cases the human emotions run high with sadness at its passing and joy at what is to come, for the show must go on, they say.

One of the big pluses at changeover time is the run-out period when all manner of bargains are available in the dealerships as the main event, the launch of the newcomer, approaches.

Currently in this situation is the Honda Jazz which, after a hugely successful period since June 2002 throughout which some 220,000 models were sold in the UK alone, is all set to re-enter the highly competitive world of the supermini in February having adopted a new guise, with more aerodynamically efficient front and rear bumpers and a more premium feel to the cabin.

Ahead of the refreshed supermini’s UK arrival, the Swindon based car giant has declared its hand for the run-out period.

Pricing for the outgoing Jazz has been slashed, the range now opening up at £9,995 for the entry level 1.2 S model and recently I've renewed my acquaintance with all that “original Jazz”.

In the frame here is a Jazz 1.4 EX variant which came in an appealing alabaster silver metallic hue complemented by some very young family serviceable black fabric upholstery.

Throughout its career, flexibility accompanied by surprising amounts of space for its size, has been the watchword for a model which, while being a relatively short member of the supermini sector, offers up some highly impressive interior space.

Within a well thought out cabin the boot is also surprisingly accommodating offering 335 litres of stowage space with all seats taken, which extends to 883 litres.

This comes courtesy of some clever two-way folding rear pews which fold flat at the flick of a switch while places for those bits and bobs accumulated on the run also proved quite plentiful.

Thanks to a good range of tiller and seating adjustment an agreeable driving position is easily arrived at. You also sit pretty high in the Jazz facing a futuristic dashboard boasting some hi-tech instrumentation while overall vision from the driving seat is good.

Powered by Honda’s 1.4-litre petrol engine paired with a five-speed manual gear change Jazz is an easy driver, its 98bhp positively answering the fluency of some sharp throttle response via a well weighted clutch and slick five-speed gearbox.

With suspension a little on the firm side which gives the Jazz its sure footedness, there is also some decent body control and sprightly handling to enjoy while, depending upon individual driving style, 50mpg is promised over the mixed driving miles – not a bad return for petrol power.

Over the past decade the Honda Jazz has deservedly earned a reputation for good build quality plus there are decent levels of standard kit to enjoy which include air con, electric windows all round, electric heated mirrors, panoramic roof with electric sunshade, sound system with CD and steering wheel controls, plus ABS braking with electronic brake force distribution and emergency brake assist, while good residuals ensure the Jazz keeps its value well.

Honda EVs in California

Honda has also announced that the Fit EV will hit the roads in Torrance, California in the beginning of 2011. Its Accord Sedan EV will also be on the roads by 2012 with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. Stanford University and Google will also receive Fit EVs by the end of next year. Torrance is planning to use Fit EV cars in various city departments.

Honda plans to launch the Fit EV in 2012 as a 2013 model, with the Fit battery pack allowing the vehicle a range of 100 miles and a top speed of up to 90 miles per hour.

Honda will also launch a new two-motor hybrid system in a larger model in 2012 along with a new Honda model that will use a 6kw-hour lithium-ion battery pack with a 120-kw electric drive motor.

Honda EVs in China

Honda's Fit EV showcased in Japan on Monday

Honda has announced that the company is studying the possibility and viability of electric vehicles in China. It is the latest in a series of Japanese automakers, Nissan and Toyota to study potential demand for EVs in China. Honda is considering initiating an EV testing program in China as well as the US and Japan. Honda's CEO thinks the chances are good in China for EVs long-term viability. However Honda is still being cautious about the prospects of these EVs because the costs of making vehicles that run on electricity only are still very high.

Electric vehicles are expected to account for only around 1-2% of 2020 global vehicle sales.

Honda will be using its Accord EV and Fit EV for these testing programs and will depend on the environmental policies that different Chinese governments will adopt to encourage these purchasing of these EVs.

PR: Honda Electric Models in California

Honda launched an Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program today with Torrance Mayor Frank Scotto and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. President and CEO, Tetsuo Iwamura, conducting the first public test drive of a Fit EV prototype and an Accord Sedan test vehicle outfitted with a new two-motor plug-in hybrid system.

The city of Torrance along with Stanford University and Google Inc., will each receive a Fit EV for testing starting in 2011. In addition, the city of Torrance will test a plug-in hybrid as a part of the program in 2012. Each of the three demonstration program participants will conduct general testing as well as evaluating specific and distinct issues related to the introduction of electric vehicles.

"The goal of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program is to more fully understand the challenges and opportunities associated with such a fundamental shift in technology," said Tetsuo Iwamura, American Honda Motor Co, Inc., President and CEO. "The city of Torrance and the other participants will play a key role, by providing real-world feedback on their experience. They will help us tackle the important issues surrounding customer adoption of electric vehicles."

When the city of Torrance receives their Fit EV and plug-in hybrid, they will be evaluating the technologies with a focus on charging infrastructure development, promotion of sustainable community initiatives and to building public awareness about electric vehicles.
The Fit EV and plug-in hybrid will be used by several Torrance city departments, including the Community Development department and Public Works office, along with the Economic Development office.

The Fit EV Concept made its world debut on November 17, 2010 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The production Fit EV will be introduced to customers in the U.S. and Japan in 2012. The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and utilizes the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback.

The Fit EV will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor. The high-density motor, derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, delivers excellent efficiency and power while remaining quiet at high speeds. The Fit EV will have a top speed of 90 mph. Recharging the Fit EV can be accomplished in less than 12 hours when using a conventional 120-volt outlet, and less than six hours when using a 240-volt outlet.

The Fit EV will achieve an estimated 100-mile driving range per charge using the US EPA LA41 city cycle (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor). Driving range can be maximized by use of an innovative 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid. The system allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal, and Sport to instantly and seamlessly change the driving experience to maximize efficiency or improve acceleration.

Honda also unveiled a plug-in hybrid platform at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which showcased Honda's next-generation two-motor hybrid system. This new hybrid system is designed for mid-size to larger vehicles and will be introduced in a future Honda model in 2012. The plug-in hybrid is intended to be compatible with daily driving habits, allowing for short, frequent trips in all-electric mode, while providing long-distance driving capability when needed. The Honda two-motor system continuously moves through three different modes to maximize driving efficiency: all-electric, gasoline-electric and a unique, engine direct-drive mode. The plug-in hybrid also uses regenerative braking to charge the battery.

In all-electric mode, the vehicle uses a 6kWh lithium-ion battery and a powerful 120 kW electric motor. The all-electric mode achieves a range of approximately 10-15 miles in city driving and a top speed of 62 mph. Fully recharging the battery will take 3 to 4 hours using a 120-volt outlet and 1 to 1.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet.

Extended Report: Honda Fit Recall

Honda says a global recall of 1.35 million Fit subcompact cars that have defective headlight wiring does not include Canadian versions of the model.

The company said the Canadian model is not affected because it has a different wiring system than the recalled vehicles in order to comply with laws that require daytime running lights.

Honda said Thursday it would recall 143,000 cars in the United States and 734,000 cars in Japan, with the Japanese recall costing the company around US$42.8 million.

It will also recall Fit cars in Europe and Asia, but declined to give further details.

Honda said no accidents have been reported due to the defect.