New car news

28 July 2008 - 15:00

Free Jazz

We like the current Honda Jazz very much. So much that we've given it a Car of the Year Award. Twice.

Now there is a new Honda Jazz on the way. We think we may like this one even more. Slightly larger than the first-gen Jazz, and with much sleeker styling, it goes on sale in the UK this autumn.

At launch, you'll have the choice of two engines: 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre petrol four-pots developing 89bhp and 99bhp respectively.

The smaller unit returns 55.4mpg with CO2 emissions at a respectable 120g/km, while the bigger engine will do 54.3mpg and emit 123g/km of CO2.

That's with the manual gearbox, but spec Honda's six-speed 'i-SHIFT' automated manual transmission and the 1.4-litre engine's CO2 emissions drop to 120g/km.

The new Jazz also gets something called 'Double-Trunk', which is either a disfiguring genetic condition amongst elephants or a reconfigurable luggage bay - the biggest in the sector, says Honda.

Along with a longer wheelbase and wider track - which spell good news for handling - it should all add up to make the Honda Jazz a rather tempting little proposition. We'll find out when we drive it very soon.