[Automotive News]

Honda Malaysia launched the new Honda Jazz (2017) and Jazz Sport Hybrid on 6 June 2017, making Malaysia the only market outside Japan to have access to Honda’s advanced Sport Hybrid i-DCD system. The new Jazz Hybrid is the only Sport Hybrid in Malaysia that is priced below RM90,000 and will be delivered to customers from end July 2017 onwards while the petrol variant is already available.

The New Jazz Hybrid is equipped with a new 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine combining 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Integrated High Power Motor to promote acceleration for a sportier driving experience. The New Hybrid System is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery with 1.5 times its energy capacity which is 50% more powerful compared to its predecessor, the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system although it is -5.6% more compact in size. On the Sport-mode, with a press of the “S” button, the Sport Hybrid i-DCD provides maximum combined output of the engine and electric motor at a horsepower of up to 137PS, which is equivalent to a 1.8L engine. The car’s Electric Power Steering (EPS) has also been enhanced.

The New Jazz Hybrid has an independent positioning and functioning of both electric motor and engine which allows improved fuel consumption and sportier driving experience by sustaining regenerative energy. The fuel-efficiency of the New Jazz Hybrid is recorded at 4.0L/100km (*Based on UN R101 Test Result for New Jazz Hybrid) and it could also be driven on full Electric Vehicle (EV) mode. The air-conditioning system of the Sport Hybrid i-DCD is driven by the Motor compressor compared to IMA which exhibits capability to maintain cabin temperature at idle stops.

The New Jazz Hybrid will be available in one variant and offers enhancements unique to the Hybrid model like the Shift by Wire Gear for smoother and sporty gear exchange for the Sport Hybrid i-DCD system. Another feature is the 3D Speed Meter Design (Multi-Information Display) which displays a variety of information such as Energy Flow, Sport Meter, Fuel Economy, Drive Info, Customization and Eco Display, and the addition of Cruise Control.

Over 47,000 units of the 3rd Generation Jazz have been sold in Malaysia since its launch in 2014. The New Jazz Petrol is powered by the 1.5L i-VTEC engine coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) which was developed under Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology. The combined powertrain in this “Energy Efficient Vehicle” certified vehicle provides a fuel-efficient drive. The New Jazz Petrol will be available in 3 variants, the S, E and V variant. The New Chrome Front Grille; New Front and Rear Bumper Design; Push Start Button and Smart Entry; and ECON button will be made standard across all variants. Other enhancements include Dual Tone Colour Alloy Wheel for V variant, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and Reverse Camera for both E and V variants.

The V variant will also be offered with Paddle Shift, Cruise Control and Half-Leather seats, while the E variant will receive an upgrade to Touch Panel Auto Air-Conditioning. Both the E and V variants will carry the new 6.8” Display Audio. The New Jazz retains its ULTRA Seats with 4 modes (Utility, Long, Tall and Refresh) with multi-configuration modes of the seats that allows the car to be configured for short or long distance driving.

Safety wise, the New Jazz carries a 5-Star ASEAN NCAP safety rating with Brake Assist (BA) and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) are available across all variants. The V variant maintains 6 Airbags while the E variant is upgraded to 4 Airbags. Similar to the E variant, the Sport Hybrid variant will also be receiving 4 Airbags. The Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) are made available across the E, V and Sport Hybrid variants.

The New Jazz Petrol will be offered in 5 colours namely Modern Steel Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic, Carnival Red, Taffeta White and Crystal Black Pearl whereas the New Jazz Hybrid will be available in Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic and White Orchid Pearl. The warranty for both the New Jazz Petrol and the New Jazz Hybrid is 5 years with unlimited mileage at 10,000km service intervals at any of the 91 authorised Honda dealers nationwide. The New Jazz Hybrid receives an eight (8) year warranty for its Lithium-Ion battery on top of the standard warranty.

The New Jazz Hybrid is priced at RM87,500 (OTR with Insurance). The New Jazz Petrol variants are priced at; RM74,800 (OTR with Insurance) for S variant; RM81,000 (OTR with Insurance) for E variant and RM88,400 (OTR with Insurance) for V variant. Honda Malaysia also showcased the New Jazz Mugen Concept Car with the Mugen accessory package which will be available in October 2017, priced at RM5,670 and comes with Front, Side and Rear Under Spoiler with Tailgate Spoiler. The Urban package will be priced at RM1,580 and the Utility Package will be priced at RM820.

For more info, call Honda’s Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or head over to http://www.honda.com.my

Images courtesy of Honda Malaysia.

Transformers: The Last Knight

Since we’re on the topic of automobiles, I managed to catch the media preview of Transformers: The Last Knight yesterday. The official storyline goes something like this – Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving the future of the human race lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. The movie sees the return of Mark Wahlberg as Cade Yeager; Josh Duhamel as Colonel William Lennox and Bumblebee; with new characters such as an English Lord played by Sir Anthony Hopkins; and Oxford Professor Vivian Wembley played by Laura Haddock (who looks somewhat like Megan Fox!).

I personally gave up on Michael Bay ever getting the Transformers characters or storyline correct (he messed it up in the very first Transformers movie!) and well… what I can say is don’t watch this one for the storyline. Watch it for the action as there are Transformers flying, bullets flying, and humans falling together with lots of explosions and of course – a car chase!

Transformers: The Last Knight opens in Malaysian cinemas on 22 June 2017.