Honda Jazz gets India-specific engine

The Honda Jazz, that will be launched in India, in June 2009, will come with a decided India focus.

Honda Jazz photo

The Honda Jazz will have a new 1.2 litre engine developed exclusively for the Indian market.

The Honda Jazz, which will boast of features found in a premium large car, will be powered by the new 1.2 L i-VTEC engine designed specifically for Indian roads.

The new engine was developed at the Honda R&D centre in Tochigi, Japan.

At the launch of the new India-specific engine, Mr. Jnaneswar Sen, Vice President – Marketing, Honda Siel Cars India said, “The “Made for India” Jazz engine will provide the perfect balance between good fuel economy and performance.”

He further said that while the engine was developed specially for the Indian market, it had also met with success in UK due to its excellent performance.

Honda’s 1.2L VTEC powertrain is a four-cylinder, 1198 cc engine featuring Programmed Fuel Injection delivering 90 PS at 6,200 rpm and torque of 110 Nm at 4800 rpm while giving impressive fuel economy of 16.1 km/l.

The i-VTEC offers more power and low fuel consumption by regulating the opening of air-fuel intake valves and exhaust valves to match engine speeds.

The new India-specific engine of the Honda Jazz will also have the capabilities to cut emissions owing to the fact that it would be E10 compatible and has Euro IV emission levels.

Worldwide, the Honda Jazz is available in three different variants, the GLi, VTi, and the Jazz Vti-S. The company has said that the Honda Jazz comes in an aerodynamic shape with an innovate engine, and high-tensile steel.

Honda had delayed the launch of the Honda Jazz, by a year, due to the time it took to build this India-specific engine. Honda will also incorporate a navigation system, in-car entertainment and sporty tyres as an optional accessory, said a report.

The Honda Jazz will also come with a toughened suspension to meet stiff roads conditions in India.

The company has said that though there are no immediate plans to introduce other India-specific products, it may do so in the future.

The Honda Jazz will be priced around Rs 7 lakh, catapulting it to the top of other hatchbacks, such as the Hyundai i20 and the Skoda Fabia, in terms of price.

The Skoda Fabia’s petrol version is priced at Rs 4.9 lakh, and the diesel version at Rs 5.8 lakh (ex-showroom).

Honda Siel sells the Honda City, Civic and Accord sedans, and the Honda CR-V, in India.

Honda Siel’s Greater Noida plant’s capacity was recently increased to 1 lakh units per annum.

Its Tapukara plant, that is expected to go on stream by end-2009, is expected to have a capacity of 60,000 units per annum. In all probability it would go on stream by end of year 2009.