Honda has launched the updated third-generation
Honda Jazz in Thailand, giving it a new front and rear fascia and, for the first time, introducing an RS variant to the lineup.
Externally, the changes to the Jazz are the new
front grille, new
front and rear bumpers, and new
LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). It's the new
RS variant though that received a handful of new equipment.
In Honda-speak, RS is short for
Road Sailing, a badge which Honda gives to its vehicles that have a sporty design "from all angles." For the new
Honda Jazz RS, that means it gets a newly-designed
front grille with matching
RS emblem, an
RS-style front bumper with fog lights and rear bumper, new
black side mirrors, and newly-designed
seat covers with orange stitching to complement the new
Phoenix Orange color.
Other than the exterior updates, everything about the Jazz's interior and mechanicals are the same, from the
1.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC engine that puts out
118 hp and
145 Nm of torque and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with
seven-speed Paddle Shift manual option to the
6.8-inch multi-function touchscreen display with
HDMI compatibility and
touchscreen climate control system.
What's interesting to note though about the Thai-market Jazz's engine is that it's
E85 compatible which means that it can handle a fuel blend that's composed of
85 percent denatured alcohol fuel and
15 percent gasoline.
Since the Philippine-market Honda Jazz is sourced by
Honda Cars Philippines from Thailand, it's only a matter of time before the upgraded model will be introduced locally.
