Honda Jazz Sport Hybrid previewed in Malaysia, 135 hp, launching by Q3 2017



In a rather surprising move, Honda chose Malaysia to host the global unveiling of the Honda Jazz facelift, otherwise known as Honda Fit in Japan. It gets numerous aesthetic enhancements, and joining the lineup is the range topping Sport Hybrid variant. Malaysia is also the only country outside of Japan to receive and assemble the Sport Hybrid variant.

The Jazz Sport Hybrid finished in Lunar Silver Metallic debuted at the 2017 Carlist.my Drive, Test and Buy Event. Regular petrol variants of the Jazz facelift will be launched in the coming month, whereas deliveries of the Jazz Sport Hybrid will begin in Q3 2017. Now, let’s find out what the Jazz Sport Hybrid is all about.

Powering the Jazz Sport Hybrid is Honda’s new Intelligent Dual-Clutch Drive (i-DCD) hybrid system which combines a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine and an Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) electric motor to generate a combined output of 135 hp. Drive is sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Unlike the previous generation Jazz Hybrid, this i-DCD hybrid system is able to run on pure electric mode.

From the outside, this facelift exercise introduced a new front bumper with new LED daytime running lights and a revised rear bumper. Exclusive to the Sport Hybrid model are blue “Hybrid” badges on the front fenders and rear tailgate. Oddly, the display unit does not come with the fancier full LED headlamps, front fog lamps and multi-spoke alloys like in the press pictures. The interior, while covered, sports fabric seats instead of leather. However, be reminded that this is just a preview and may not be an accurate representation of the actual spec.

Order books for the refreshed Jazz (petrol and hybrid) are now open and will be locally assembled at Honda Malaysia’s production plant in Alor Gajah. If you missed the chance to see the Jazz Sport Hybrid in person, Honda Malaysia will be displaying the very unit at the upcoming Standard Charted KL Marathon happening on 21 May 2017 (Sunday).


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