Honda hatches a refreshed Jazz

MANILA, Philippines - The Jazz has been a stalwart in the B vehicle segment for Honda, and possesses a distinct personality advantage over a couple of the competition. By that I mean a unique moniker compared to its presumed sedan counterpart (the City). At the very least, this states that the Jazz is a unique creature in the Honda stable. The Jazz and City are not, well, each other – siblings though they be.

The refresh of the current platform of the Jazz is a welcome move not just for car aficionados on the lookout for such a vehicle in the segment, but for Honda as well. Truth to tell, the B arena is getting pretty crowded, what with the noted entry of the formidable Ford Fiesta late last year, along with cheaper alternatives from other brands.

Last week, the Jazz got a shot in the arm via a refresh. Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) GM and president Hiroshi Shimizu, in his opening speech at the car’s launch in the NBC Tent, said, “With over 3.5 million Honda Jazz units sold cumulatively worldwide, it warms our hearts in knowing that Honda has succeeded in offering a vehicle that answers to the demands of modern living. Fuel efficient, versatile, and stylish – these traits make the Jazz the hatchback of choice around the globe. “

So, what’s new in the 2011 iteration? The front and rear bumpers have been redesigned with a more aggressive style. The headlight assemblies now also look bigger as they flank the front grille more tightly. Foglamps are integrated into the front bumper of the 1.5 V. From the rear, the refresh is apparent through new LED taillights.

Meanwhile, buyers of the 1.3 S variant will also be pleased to know it comes equipped with newly designed 15-inch shoes. Yes, they’ve been upsized. The 1.5 V comes with 16-inch ones.

Inside, audiophiles looking to plug in their MP3 players can choose from USB or AUX port connectivity.

Of course, the goodies that enamored the Jazz to a lot of motorists are still there. Honda likes to play up the vaunted ULT (utility, long, and tall) modes of this diminutive ride – never reneging on its promise to accommodate most kinds of payload you might want to take along with you.

At the Jazz launch in NBC Tent, HCPI conscripted a couple of local fashion designers, Ino Caluza and Veejay Floresca, to help express the value propositions of the vehicle “hip, active, trendy, young, and fun”, according to vehicle sales and corporate communications head Voltaire Gonzales.

The former “FUV” (fun utility vehicle) tag now gives way “style + space”, an expression again of what is best about the Jazz – a spunky, spirited ride that also rewards with surprising room. Honda has also developed a new interactive website, www.stylespacejazz.com, to augment traditional marketing efforts to push the 2011 Jazz.

The new colors (among them the particularly tasty Brilliant Orange) will surely help, too. The 1.3 S manual is priced at P752,000, the automatic at P792,000, and the 1.5 V at P857,000.

Honda is continuing to bet that, surely, 3.5 million buyers (and counting) can’t be wrong.