Last month, our spy photographers caught the next-generation Honda Jazz running road trials, and though clad to the hilt with the usual camouflage wrap, there was plenty to suggest that the styling of the fourth-gen will have a softer, less aggressive focus compared to the current third-gen model.
Now, the new Jazz has been visualised by rendering wizard Theophilus Chin, based on that gleaned from the latest spyshot set. The headlights – which feature square projectors – are taller, and the grille is a more conventional-looking design, giving the new car a more rounded outlook reminiscent of that presented by the first two generations.
At the side, the door mirrors have been slightly relocated, and the side surfacing has been simplified, with a traditional high-set shoulder-line in place of the current model’s prominent shoulder creases. Elsewhere, the tail lights drop the vertical presentation and are now horizontal two-piece items to help widen the look of car.
There should be very little deviation in the petrol and hybrid powertrains for the new Jazz, which is expected to make its debut at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, but changes to the driveline are in store. The automaker says it is planning to deploy its two-motor Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system across its entire lineup of vehicles.
This will include a more compact i-MMD system for small vehicles, which is reportedly set to debut along with the new Jazz in Tokyo. The system will replace the once-problematic Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD) currently seen in the Jazz Hybrid, which utilises a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
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