2015 Honda Jazz Hatchback – India production now on?

The production of the Honda Jazz B+ segment hatchback is said to have kicked off in India, at the Japanese automaker’s Tapukara manufacturing facility, in Rajasthan. Over 600 units of the car are said to have rolled off the assembly line already. The Japanese automaker is readying up a 5,000 units strong war chest, before releasing the 2015 Jazz in India. As serial production is said to have already commenced, the launch of the car could happen soon.

The hatchback also known as the Fit globally, and in its third generation worldwide, is in its second iteration for the Indian car market. In its first innings, the Jazz bombed in India, what with an ambitious price tag putting paid to the car’s acceptability in the country. Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) will be keen to avoid the missteps of the past, and in line with this, the 2015 Jazz is expected to see competitive pricing. Extensive localization to the tune of over 90 % will be key to sharp pricing.

Also on the anvil for the Jazz is a diesel engine option, which in this case is the 1.5 liter-4 cylinder all-aluminium i-DTEC mill good for 98.6 Bhp-200 Nm. A petrol motor confirmed on the car is the 1.2 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated unit that makes 87 Bhp-109 Nm.  5 speed manual gearboxes will be standard fare on the 1.2 liter petrol and the 1.5 liter turbo diesel engines. The Jazz sold in India could also bring the 1.5 liter i-VTEC petrol motor (117 Bhp-145 Nm) to the equation.

This, as Honda has imported the CVT automatic transmission with 7 stepped shifts, for use on the petrol powered Jazz. Notably, the CVT automatic gearbox in question is currently used only on the 1.5 liter petrol motor while the 1.2 liter i-VTEC engine uses the 5 speed manual and automatic transmissions. Honda is unlikely to adapt the 1.2 liter i-VTEC mill to work with a CVT transmission specifically for the Indian market, especially given the limited numbers that such a variant is likely to bring.

This indicates that the 1.5 liter petrol engine-CVT automatic-paddle shifts combination is a likely option on the 2015 Jazz sold in India, as a top-end variant. The Jazz measures 3,955 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, 1,525 mm tall and features a 2,530 mm wheelbase. These dimensions give the car a sub-4 meter footprint, making it perfectly poised to take advantage of excise concessions when outfitted with sub-1.2 liter petrol and sub-1.5 liter turbo diesel motors.

Naturally, the 1.5 liter engine, with the CVT automatic gearbox in tow, will make the Jazz an expensive proposition since the car will no longer qualify as a sub-4 meter car fit for excise concessions. In this light, expect the Jazz 1.5 CVT to be a top-end variant in the hatchback’s Indian line up. The car will be pitted against the Hyundai Elite i20 and the upcoming Maruti Suzuki YRA premium hatchbacks. The 2015 Jazz’s versatile and spacious innards will be key selling points.

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Spyshots courtesy GaadiWaadi