Jazz (1984-1985)
The Jazz was a ‘city’ car of compact dimensions that offers a spacious interior and excellent performance and visibility. UK imports of the Jazz commenced in 1984 and whilst it was known as the City in most markets (including Japan) in the UK the car was renamed Jazz because Austin Rover already used the City name. The UK range comprised a single model whose specification remained almost unchanged throughout the life of the car.
Engineering followed conventional Honda practice and took its cues from the early Civic. The wheelbase was the same and the overall length very similar. The Jazz was fitted with a 1231cc engine derived from the Civic unit and with 56bhp it was a lively performer. A 5-speed manual gearbox was specified as standard in the UK which allows for relaxed motorway cruising.
It was in height that the Jazz was different. The styling was derived from a Honda experimental exercise, the 'Tall Boy' an was an early exponent of the vogue for boxy, tall cars, popularised in the UK by the Fiat Uno. Other styling features were the distinctive shape of the wheel-arches and the prominent black headlight surrounds. An off-centre front grille completed the rather avant-garde appearance. Inside the boxy shape and high roofline contributed to excellent interior space although the overall effect could never be described as plush. The steeply raked bonnet and high seating position gave excellent visibility.
Engineering followed conventional Honda practice and took its cues from the early Civic. The wheelbase was the same and the overall length very similar. The Jazz was fitted with a 1231cc engine derived from the Civic unit and with 56bhp it was a lively performer. A 5-speed manual gearbox was specified as standard in the UK which allows for relaxed motorway cruising.
It was in height that the Jazz was different. The styling was derived from a Honda experimental exercise, the 'Tall Boy' an was an early exponent of the vogue for boxy, tall cars, popularised in the UK by the Fiat Uno. Other styling features were the distinctive shape of the wheel-arches and the prominent black headlight surrounds. An off-centre front grille completed the rather avant-garde appearance. Inside the boxy shape and high roofline contributed to excellent interior space although the overall effect could never be described as plush. The steeply raked bonnet and high seating position gave excellent visibility.
In the UK the car was well equipped for a 1980’s city car, featuring a removable glass sunroof (with separate sunshade) a radio, digital clock, and 5-speed gearbox. The car was available here in a choice of only two colours - red and silver. The comprehensive specification was perhaps the undoing of the Jazz as most small cars of the period were sold as economy ‘runabouts’ whereas Honda always seemed to promote the Jazz almost in a class of its own. In 1984 £4,195 would buy a reasonable Ford Fiesta or Austin Metro, both larger cars and well established on the market. The public seemingly didn’t want to pay for the sophistication the Jazz offered albeit in a smaller package and bearing in mind the base Civic was only £500 more, the Jazz was never a great sales success in the UK. Nothing was done to address the pricing or the car itself – the only change the UK specification was the addition of a passenger door-mirror on later cars. The Jazz was dropped from UK listings in late 1985.
The car was (and remains) very popular on the Japanese home market. A Pininfarina Cabriolet and powerful Turbo (100bhp) and Turbo II (110hp intercooled) versions were available. Whilst never officially offered in the UK the cabriolet cars sometimes appear for sale here as personal imports, often with Hondamatic transmission. Air conditioning was also offered on Japanese market vehicles including the Cabriolet and a rather odd 7-speed version was available in Japan in 1985.
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