World Cars: Honda Jazz

Showing posts with label Honda Jazz - Fit. Show all posts

Monday, March 21, 2011

Honda Postpones Launch of Fit Shuttle Due to the Japan Quake

The devastating earthquake and its aftermath in Japan have forced Honda to postpone the market launch of its new Fit Shuttle. The introduction of the car in Japan was scheduled to take place this month. Honda said it has not yet decided on a new release date and that the company will follow up with an announcement with more details soon.

Honda Reveals Production Version of New Brio City Car in Thailand

Honda today lifted the wraps off the Brio, a small city car designed for emerging Asian markets such as India, China and Thailand. Previewed last year by the Brio concept, Honda’s new model measures 3,610 meters long and 1,680 meters wide, making it 290mm shorter than the Jazz supermini and only 1 centimeter narrower.

The Brio uses a 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine sourced from the Jazz, which delivers 90 horsepower and an average fuel consumption of 5 liters/100 km (47 mpg US), while respecting the Euro 4 emission standards. The engine can be linked to a manual five-speed gearbox or a CVT transmission.

Honda Recalling 97,201 2009-2010MY Fit Models in the States

Potentially damaged lost motion springs are the cause of Honda’s latest recall in the U.S., which affects 97,201 2009 and 2010 model year Fit vehicles. Parts of the engine valvetrain, the lost motion springs may bend or break over time due to the compression forces exerted on them by the rocker arms, resulting in abnormal engine noise or even damage.

According to Honda, no crashes or injuries have been caused by the defective components. The Japanese automaker will start notifying customers by mail in early March, and have them take their vehicles for an inspection carried out at an authorized dealer.

Honda Publishes New Photos and Info on European-spec Jazz Hybrid and Face-lifted Jazz Models

Honda today released full details and some 80 or so photos on the European-spec Jazz Hybrid and face-lifted conventional Jazz models, which will soon go on sale across the continent. Previewed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, the Jazz Hybrid is said to be the first B-segment car fitted with a petrol-electric powertrain and it does it without compromising the cabin space and luggage compartment.

Honda Officially Announces Fit / Jazz Shuttle, Sales Start in Japan this March

Less than a month ago, we broke the story on the leaked brochure of the Honda Fit Shuttle. Today, the Japanese automaker came out with an official announcement revealing a cropped image of the car and stating that the larger and more practical version of the Fit (otherwise known as the Jazz) will go on sale in Japan this March.

The new Fit Shuttle will be available in Japan with a similar engine lineup to the hatchback version including a conventional 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid variant featuring a 1.3 liter gasoline unit and a 10 KW electric motor.

Honda did not say whether the Fit Shuttle will be offered exclusively in Japan or if it will make its way to other markets as well. Follow the break for more pictures.

Honda to Build More CR-Vs in the U.S., Plans to Increase the use of Parts from Low-Cost Countries

The strong yen is affecting all Japanese automakers that are exporting their locally produced cars to America. Honda is one of them, as of the 72,000 CR-Vs built last year in Japan, 35,000 made their way to North America. Japan’s third largest automaker wants to invest in its North American plants to increase the number of CR-V it builds here and reduce exports from Japan, thus minimizing losses due to exchange rates.

New Honda App Allows iPhone Users to Catch Characters from TV Spot as they Appear on the Commercial

In a ground-breaking campaign, Honda has merged the worlds of iPhone Apps and traditional commercials, be they on your TV, computer screen or mobile phone. Created to celebrate the launch of the revised Honda Jazz [Fit in the U.S.], the new interactive app allows iPhone users to virtually catch animated characters as they appear on screen in the firm's new TV advert 'This Unpredictable Life' and drop them into their phones, more or less in the same way you'd use a PS3 Move or Nintendo wii motion-controller.

Honda Germany Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Special Edition Models

Honda has launched a new series of special edition models in Germany to celebrated the company's 50th anniversary in Europe. The first Honda store in Germany opened in 1961 in the city of Hamburg. The lineup of special edition models includes the CR-Z hybrid sport hatch, the Civic, the CR-V, the Accord and the Jazz, all of which feature additional standard equipment such as larger alloy wheels and upgraded audio systems (depending on the model) without a price increase. More details on the 50th Anniversary specials can be found on Honda's German website.

New Honda Fit Shuttle: Leaked Brochure Reveals Station Wagon-Like Model

A bonanza of allegedly official brochure photos showing a new, station-wagon-like variant of the Japanese domestic market [JDM] Fit have leaked onto the internet. Named the Fit Shuttle, the car appears to be based on the recently refreshed Fit (Honda uses the Jazz nameplate in Europe, Australia and other international markets) featuring a longer body with taller roofline and a redesigned rear end.

As you can see in the brochure shots, the Fit Shuttle will be offered in two flavors, a Hybrid version powered by the same IMA system with a 1.3 liter i-VTEC engine featured on the five-door hatchback model, and a more powerful variant with a regular 1.5-liter gasoline unit.

Honda Rolls Out New Li Nian S1 Subcompact Sedan at China Auto Show

China's recently developed passion for cars is paving the way for an increasing number of new vehicles targeting value-conscious consumers. Along with Nissan, which took the wraps of the 2011 Sunny, Honda also debuted a new small sedan today at the 2010 China International Automobile Exhibition.

Honda to Recall 1.35 Million Fit and Jazz Models Worldwide to Repair Headlamps

Honda said on Thursday it would recall around 1.35 million examples of its Fit / Jazz subcompact to fix a potential problem with the cars' headlamps. The recall affects approximately 143,083 model year 2007 and 2008 Fit vehicles in the U.S., 385,000 units of the Jazz in Europe and 735,000 cars in Japan.

LA Show 2010: Honda Debuts Fit EV Concept, goes into Production in 2012

With hybrid models becoming more of a mainstream product for consumers these days, automakers are now turning their attention on the next 'green' frontier, all-electric cars. At the LA Auto Show, Honda lifted the covers off the all-new Fit EV Concept electric subcompact.

And mind you, this is not your typical motor-show crowd gatherer as according to the Japanese automaker, the Fit EV Concept "hints strongly" at the direction and styling for the upcoming production Fit EV all-electric vehicle, which will be introduced to the U.S. and Japan in 2012.

Honda Launches Refreshed Fit and New Fit Hybrid in Japan, Receives 10,000 Orders for Gas-Electric Model

Honda on Friday introduced the Japanese domestic market version of its new Fit (Jazz in Europe) Hybrid alongside the regular Fit model, which benefits from a minor cosmetic refresh and equipment upgrades for the 2011 model year.

The company's head of domestic sales, Hiroshi Kobayashi said Honda has already received 10,000 orders for the Fit Hybrid, which was given its world premiere at last week's Paris Motor Show.

The newly-added Fit Hybrid will be offered locally at the starting price of 1.59 million yen (about US$19,300 at today's exchange rates), making it the most affordable gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle in Japan.

Honda Jazz Hybrid: More Details and New Photos Released ahead of Paris Show

Being that the 2010 edition of the Paris Auto Show is just around the corner, Honda has released a new batch of photos as well as a few more details on its new hybrid variant of the Jazz, which is called Fit in the U.S. and other markers.

New Honda Fit / Jazz Hybrid: First Official Pictures, will Debut in Paris

These are the first official photos of Honda's Paris Motor Show-bound, Fit / Jazz Hybrid. Until recently, it was not clear if the subcompact hybrid model would be launched in markets outside Japan. And while now we know that the hybrid model will make its way to Europe with sales starting in early 2011, Honda officials have yet to announce any plans to offer the car in North America.

New Honda Fit Hybrid to Launch in Japan this October as the Country's Cheapest Hybrid

Japan's Mainichi Shimbun daily reported that Honda will launch the long-awaited hybrid version of its Fit (Jazz in Europe) subcompact in the domestic market in October with prices set to start from around 1.6 million yen, or about US$18,900 / €14,500 at the current exchange rates, making it the country's most affordable hybrid model.

New Honda Freed Spike "Lifestyle" Minivan Debuts in Japan

A new member has been added to the JDM Honda Freed family of compact minivans in Japan. Called the Freed Spike, the new model is being pitched by Honda as a "compact multi-wagon" for people with "active lifestyles". We remind you that the Freed is based on Honda's Jazz / Fit architecture. It was introduced in Japan in 2008 and is offered in five-, seven- and eight-seat versions, all of which feature sliding rear doors.

The new Freed Spike is available exclusively with two rows of seats for five passengers that can be arranged in several different configurations. Honda has added new dual-height floor panels in the cargo area and some additional storage areas on the side panels.

Beijing 2010: Honda Introduces Li Nian Everus Concept Sedan

For starters, there's nothing wrong with your eyes, the screen or the picture; the twin set of horizontal headlamps flanking either side of the Li Nian Everus concept's chrome-happy grille are the real deal.

Li Nian is a newly formed brand from Honda's China branch, Guangqi Honda, formerly known as Guangzhou Honda. The brand has showed two other concept models in the past, a compact-sized crossover and a sporty roadster.

Honda Launches (Supposedly) Sporty-Looking Jazz Si Grade

A new set of shiny 16-inch alloy wheels along with a chrome sports front grille and rear spoiler, embroidered carpet mats and Si branding on the boot lid and glove box is what makes the new "Si" grade sporty and "appealing to young drivers who want their car to stand out from the crowd" in Honda UK's eyes.

Honda Announces MUGEN Accessories for U.S.-Spec Accord Sedan at SEMA

Today at the SEMA Show, Honda previewed its new line of MUGEN accessories for the U.S. market 2010 Accord sedan that will be available on an a la carte basis through the firm's authorized dealers starting on November 11. The Japanese firm displayed an Accord sedan fitted with various goodies from its in-house tuner such as 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side skirts, rear apron, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a unique front emblem.

Honda said that all of the painted Mugen parts will come color-matched to one of five popular colors for the Accord that include: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White.

In addition to the Mugen-ized Accord sedan, Honda also displayed several other accessorized models including the Fit with MUGEN accessories, a Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Civic Si Sedan and a HFP Accord Coupe.