During the launch of the new facelifted Honda City, one of the messages that Honda was keen to talk about is the new and improved Honda Connect App. It has been around for a while already, but it is not at its most matured form.
You may or may not have heard of the Honda Connect App, but either way, it is one of those applications that is worth having for your Honda these days.
It if offered as standard on selected Honda models, but for those who want to purchase it, it costs RM1,500. But before you dismiss it as exorbitant, it is an application that is worth considering.
The Honda Connect App predominantly focuses on three areas:
Safety
Security
Convenience
Safety
Under the safety part, the application is designed to be able to alert you or a loved in the event of a collision. This is important especially if the driver is unconscious. The app will detect that a collision has happened and a call centre will be alerted. The operators from the call centre will first try to reach out to the driver of the vehicle, and if the person does not answer, the call centre will then try to reach out to a second number provided.
In the event that the second person too does not answer, the call centre will immediately dispatch emergency services to the last known location. This is especially helpful when driving in a remote area.
The app is also able to inform the driver in the event that the alarm goes off. Alarms are great theft deterrents, but chances are the owner of a car will not be able to hear the alarm if the car is parked in a basement car park or somewhere far off. This is where the Honda Connect App is quite good because it alerts the driver when the alarm goes off, giving the owner precious minutes to rush to the car to see why the alarm went off.
Besides that, the owner of the Honda is also able to set a speed limit of the car, and will be alerted if the car goes beyond the set threshold. Perfect for parents who do not want their children or loved ones to be speeding, or even companies who need to implement health and safety policies, thus assisting to promote safety.
Security
Ever wondered around a car park wondering where you parked your car? We have all been there. This is where the Honda Connect App is especially handy because it has a “Find My Car” feature that is able to assist you to find your parked car. This is also great if your child has taken your car without informing you. If you are a parent, you’re welcome on the tip, if you’re a child, you may not like this feature.
One of our favourite features is something called Geo Fencing Alert. This allows you to set a paremeter of a few hundred meters or a maximum of 160km. And if the car goes beyond the set parameter, the application will alert you. This is especially handy for companies that need to keep track on where their cars are going.
But on a personal level, there’s a feature called Emergency Call. This feature connects the phone to the national emergency number – 999 – and when pressed, will immediately call the emergency number. This is great in parking lots, shopping malls or even in dark alleys at night. You don’t even need to be walking to your car but can use it anytime you feel threatened.
Convenience
So the app is more than just safety, security and controlling measures, it also allows incredible ownership convenience. It allows the owner to check on the car’s status, such as fuel level, battery level and everything about the car that an owner needs to know.
One interesting feature though is the Remote Vehicle Control. This allows the owner to remote start or stop a car, which is great if you need to be away for a few weeks and don’t want the battery of your car going flat. Yes, you can start the car and warm it up even if you are in a different country.
Does your wife need to get something from the car, but you accidentally took the keys with you and the spare key is dead? Yes, you can remotely unlock your car and no this does not mean she can start the car and drive away.
These are just some of the many features that the app has to offer, and some of the more notable ones include being able to locate the closet petrol station, ATM and even book a service appointment.
with all of the features on offer, the RM1,500 asking price suddenly seems like a good deal as it is not just an application, but consider it an automotive personal assistant.
Following the launch of the Honda City Hatchback in December, for which there are more than 5,200 bookings, Honda Malaysia has now announced the price of the City Hatchback RS e:HEV which was not revealed earlier. Without insurance, the price is RM107,783.09 and this price without sales tax will be applicable until June 30, 2022. There are 3 colour options – Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.
This is the first time that the City model is offered in a hatchback bodystyle and the flagship version also comes with e:HEV technology that uses the 1.5-litre Sports intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain coupled with Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). The hybrid powertrain produces 109 ps/253 Nm and can run in hybrid, engine or even fully electric mode, the latter available for a limited distance depending on the battery pack level.
The City Hatchback’s e:HEV system can run on just the electric motor powered by the battery pack, saving fuel and with no exhaust emissions.
However, as a hybrid electric vehicle, there is no need for recharging from an external source as the battery pack will recharge while the car is being driven. Recharging constantly takes place either by the engine or through regeneration during braking and coasting. This is therefore a more practical approach to electrification for Malaysians at this time when the network of recharging stations is still very small.
Specific to the City Hatchback are a Gloss Black front Grill, Solid Wing and Door Mirrors, and standard are LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights, LED front foglights, a rear spoiler and LED rear light units, along with 16-inch alloy wheels.
The interior follows the layout of the sedan and comes with red-stitched Ultrasuede® Seats. The City Hatchback offers additional versatility as it comes with the 4-mode ULTRA Seat, a feature that originated in the first Jazz. The ULTRA Seat allows for different seating layouts in the cabin to suit different usage requirements, including one for carrying tall items like plants.
With the ULTRA Seat, it is possible to fold the seats upright to create more vertical space to carry tall items like plants.
This variant also comes with a 7-inch Interactive TFT meter, 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity as well as rear air conditioning. Other first-in-segment features are Honda LaneWatch to monitor the blind spot on the left side, Electric Parking Brake and Remote Engine Start.
Honda LaneWatch uses a small camera on the left door mirror to monitor the blind spot behind the car and display real-time images on the centre screen.
Like the City Sedan RS e:HEV, this hatchback variant also has Honda SENSING, the camera-based driver-assistance system which allows Level 2 autonomous driving as well. Honda SENSING consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam. With the systems active, the workload on the driver is less so fatigue on long journeys can be reduced as well as motoring safety being enhanced.
Honda CONNECT is also included and this smart Telematics Technology allows owners to connect with the City Hatchback via a smartphone application. The owner can be easily informed of the car’s status as well as other useful information.
For more information or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.honda.com.my.
Although 2021 saw businesses being disrupted, with an extended lockdown in the middle of the year, many car companies were able to continue their planning, thanks to online meetings with their principals overseas. If such a situation had occurred in the 1980s, perhaps a lot of projects would have to be suspended and delayed.
Now that things are returning to normal (although there is also the ‘new normal’), it is apparent that in companies like Honda Malaysia, a lot of planning was done during 2021 and while launches were probably delayed, now the new models are being rushed into the market. And even before the excitement of the launch of the City Hatchback has died down, the all-new 11th generation of the Civic Sedan has been officially launched today – less than 12 months after its global debut in America.
The Civic would be the longest locally-assembled Honda model, having been assembled since the first generation in the mid-1970s. It was assembled at the Oriental Assemblers plant in Johor then, and then when Honda Malaysia built its own factory in Melaka in the early 2000s, assembly of all Honda models was transferred there.
For the new generation, Honda Malaysia has three variants – the Civic RS, Civic 1.5V and Civic 1.5E. This time round, there is only the proven turbocharged VTEC Earth Dreams engine offered. This means all the variants get the same output of 182 ps with 240 Nm of torque, which is more powerful than a conventional 2.4-litre engine. Power delivery to the front wheels is via a CVT.
According to Maduko Chujo, Managing Director & CEO of Honda Malaysia, the company is also looking at the possibility of offering a hybrid powertrain with the Civic later on. Such a version exists for the new Civic Hatchback in some markets and so it could be also used in the sedan. Or Honda Malaysia might add the Hatchback to its range, a bigger brother to the new City Hatchback. But we’ll probably know if and when this is going to happen by seeing what appears in the Thai market which usually gets new products before Malaysia.
The new styling retains some elements of the previous generation but also has a refreshed character with a low-slung look to the profile. The use of Laser Brazing technology (for the first time at the plant), gives a smooth and clean roofline that makes the car look sleeker.
Compared to the tenth generation, the frontal appearance looks less aggressive with a ‘thin and light’ appearance. It would appear that the EXCITING H!!! DESIGN philosophy which was adopted in 2013 is evolving to something new. The Solid Wing Face that has been in the frontal character is no longer evident and a simpler form is being introduced, which also has some elements used in the new HR-V.
Likewise, at the rear, the distinctive ‘claw’ lighting signature that identified the 10th generation from far away is also gone. The new LED rear combi units wrap around the corners and taper towards the centre.
As with other models, there is the option of adding Modulo accessories for a sportier look or more functionality. There are 5 different packages ranging from RM1,241 to RM7,089. These can be specified at the time of purchases so they can be included in the total cost of the car for calculation of the H-P loan.
The overall size is almost the same as before with the only 2-digit increases being in the length (+30 mm) and wheelbase (+33 mm). Usually, extending the wheelbase would improve rear space and comfort, which Honda says is the case.
The first Civic was half the weight and almost a metre shorter than its 11th generation successor launched 50 years later.
Comparing to the first generation model which was launched in 1972, it’s amazing how the size of the car has changed. The overall length of the first generation, which was a hatchback, was almost 1 metre shorter – around 3.5 metres versus the 2022 model’s 4.7 metres. In 50 years, it has widened to 1.8 metres, 300 mm more, and not surprisingly, being a much bigger car, the latest generation weighs around 1,350 kgs whereas the original was about half that weight!
The chassis of the new Civic has been further stiffened, not only for better resistance to collisions but also to improve handling and ride comfort. Compared to the tenth generation, there’s an 8% increase in torsional rigidity and 13% increase in bending rigidity. Over 10 generations, the Civic has been continuously moving upwards in its image and with this elevation towards a more premium product, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels have had to be reduced. In the latest models, NVH is lower as a result of the application of insulators, floor undercover and spray foam in the chassis areas.
For the new interior, the designers looked at the early Civics, particularly the first one. Those who remember that first generation will see some styling elements in the dashboard of the latest Civic. Some good ideas are still good and so the original design approach of ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ (or ‘M/M’) was used.
While the shelf-like design of the original dashboard has not been revived, the narrow Honeycomb Mesh Panel that runs across two-thirds of the fascia (and also on the right side of the steering column) is in some ways reminiscent of the first generation design. The metal panel serves both form and function, creating a dramatic visual dividing line between the audio, information displays and climate controls, while the intricate flow-through design conceals the air vents for an uncluttered look.
The interior designers obviously did a lot of studies on the control knobs and switchgear and have chosen the right types for different adjustments. While touch and slide controls are cool and futuristic, they are not necessarily practical. The fan speed and temperature adjustments, for example, are far easier to make with rotary knobs. To adjust them by touching a panel means you have to be precise about where you touch and you also have to look, which isn’t good for safety. With rotary knobs, you don’t have to look and for changing modes, pushbuttons are provided.
On the top of the dashboard sits a 9-inch HD display panel (7 inches for Civic 1.5E) for the infotainment system. Manufacturers now no longer need to worry about providing navigation software, thanks to the connectivity provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which enables compatible smartphones to send popular apps to the display screen from which they can also be operated. Thus issues like updating maps are irrelevant as apps like Waze and Google Maps will do that and for music, there’s Spotify to call on. And even here, the designers have wisely chosen to provide a rotary knob for adjusting the volume, rather than a touch slider on the screen.
Over in the driver’s area, the instrument panel uses a 7-inch TFT display which is clear and sharp in all lighting conditions. As before, there are steering wheel mounted switches for making adjustments and calls without taking the hands off the steering wheel or looking away from the road ahead. With the Civic RS and 1.5V, paddle shifters are also provided for manually changing CVT ‘gears’.
The driver can choose from 3 driving modes to suit personal preference or driving conditions.
Seats look like, well, seats and unless you study the construction in detail, you won’t see any difference. However, there are improvements in the seat design to give better support and reduce tiredness on long drives. The seat frame has been designed so that the body posture is better and for the drivers in the RS and 1.5V, 8-way power adjustments make it easy to get the ideal position.
For convenience, there is Remote Start available (1.5V and RS) which allows starting the engine from a distance so that the air-conditioner can start running to cool down the interior. The doors will also automatic lock after you have left the car and walked 2 metres away or after 30 seconds.
Like other manufacturers, Honda also has its own suite of active safety systems where a number of different systems work together to help the driver avoid an accident or if it cannot be avoided, to reduce the damaging or injurious effects. In the 10th generation Civic, these systems integrated as Honda SENSING captured data for analysis using a single-lens camera and a millimetre-wave radar which scanned the road ahead.
For the 11th generation, the radar is no longer used and instead, there is a new camera system with a wider field of view (100 degrees, double the width of the previous camera). Where the radar was used to measure the distance to a vehicle ahead, this function can now be done by the camera. Honda engineers are confident that the camera system is better than the previous camera/radar system, even in bad weather conditions. Of course, the driver always needs to be aware that the camera’s view can be obscured in very heavy rain so in such situations, care should be taken rather than rely on Honda SENSING.
The system has automatic emergency braking capability, adaptive cruise control which works right to standstill (and resumes automatically), automatic headlight adjustment between high and low beams, lane and road departure detection and warning as well as keeping the car within its lane. Newly added to Honda SENSING is a feature that alerts the driver when the stopped car ahead moves off. How useful this feature is remains to be seen although it might help in congested conditions where drivers will be reminded to move on when the car ahead has departed from its spot.
With the RS and 1.5V, there is also the Honda LaneWATCH system which is a blindspot monitoring system for the left side of the car. This uses a camera mounted on the door mirror which provides an image along the side of the car. The image is shown on the centre display panel whenever the left signal is activated and the driver can know if there is another car or motorcycle coming up along the side. It’s a noteworthy feature as it reduces the amount of turning the head has to do, compared to having to look for a flashing icon on the mirror (as with other systems).
Honda LaneWATCH system provides a view along the left side of the car.
The new Civic is also set up for Honda CONNECT, the third model in Malaysia to have this telematics technology. Using a smartphone, the owner can view information on the vehicle as well as use remote and security applications. The system also has vehicle tracking which is useful if it is stolen as support services will be able to locate it and inform relevant authorities to recover it.
The new Civic is now in all authorized Honda showrooms nationwide for viewing or test-drives. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.
When the fifth generation of the City was introduced in Malaysia last year, four variants were presented – but only three were in the showrooms. The fourth – which was the flagship City RS e:HEV – was not available then and was this eagerly awaited because it promised to be a game-changer in its segment (as some other Honda models have been in the past). In any case, even without the City RS, the other three variants sold briskly with more than 13,100 units already delivered, out of over 20,000 bookings received to date.
Now the City RS is starting to roll out of the Honda plant on Melaka and first deliveries are commencing to waiting customers. The price has also been announced as RM105,950.45 (excluding insurance and sales tax, the latter exemption only until June 30, 2021). Malaysia is the first country to have the variant, a reflection of the importance of this market to the Japanese carmaker.
“Today we are pleased to announce the official price for the All-New City RS e:HEV at with an overall package that is beyond the B-segment, complete with Next Generation Advanced Technology, Honda SENSING as well as Honda CONNECT, class-leading innovative features and a sporty exterior. I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to our customers who have booked the RS e:HEV variant and waited patiently for the official price announcement,“ said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.
Mr. Ishiyama said that the new City, being the leader in the non-national B-segment, was a strong contributor to Honda maintaining its No.1 position in the non-national segment for the sixth consecutive year.
Three colour choices are available for the City RS e:HEV. This is Platinum White Pearl and the others are Passion Red Pearl and Modern Steel Metallic.
Sportier exterior features
The exterior of the City RS is strongly differentiated from the other variants with the Gloss Black Grille and lower grille design as well as the diffuser integrated in the rear bumper. It also comes with a Gloss Black Bootlid Spoiler and the door mirror housings are finished Gloss Black as well.
Other standard equipment includes LED Headlights Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), Foglights and Taillights as well as Dual-Tone 16-inch Alloy Wheels.
2-motor hybrid system
The hybrid powertrain is something new too with a highly efficient 2-motor system working with the familiar 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system. Referred to as the e:HEV system, it delivers up to 109 ps with a class-leading 253 Nm of torque, guaranteeing strong acceleration.
Besides the efficiency of the Electric Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT), the City RS runs in three different driving modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive – depending on conditions. There are also Deceleration Selector Paddles that enable the driver to activate power regeneration and decelerate the car without stepping on the brake pedal.
Advanced infotainment features
Inside, there are high-quality textures and a sophisticated premium all around the spacious cabin. Displays include a 7-inch Interactive Thin Film Transistor (TFT) meter and an 8-inch colour touchscreen that is like a sophisticated ‘command centre’ from which the driver uses Honda CONNECT and other infotainment features. The system has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to enable interfacing with compatible smartphones which means favourite and functional apps can be transferred and accessed from the dashboard.
In keeping with its sportier image, the City RS comes with Sport Pedal Pads and the Ultrasuede seats have red stitching (also used in other trim areas).
Smart telematics technology
The City RS e:HEV is the first model in Honda Malaysia’s range to offer innovative Honda CONNECT technology which is only just rolling out in a small number of markets globally. Again, like the e:HEV system, Honda has put Malaysia as one of the early markets to receive this new technology. Honda CONNECT utilizes smart telematics technology to bring connectivity to a whole new level for owners and provides services 24/7. With this technology, safety, security and convenience are enhanced for a more enjoyable ownership experience.
Honda SENSING
Honda SENSING, the brand’s suite of driver-assistance systems, is now present on all models but the number of sub-systems (all integrated) varies. In the case of the City RS, there are seven systems:
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS)
Road Departure Mitigation (RDM)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Auto High Beam (AHB)
All the systems use a camera with a wide field of view installed in the grille to scan the road ahead. The camera imagery of road markings, road edges and other vehicles is analysed by a computer and appropriate action is taken to avoid or prevent accidents.
Additionally, there is also Honda LaneWatch, an innovative blindspot monitoring system which uses a small camera installed in the left door mirror. When the left signal is activated, the camera starts showing the view along the left side of the car on the display screen. The advantage of this approach is that the driver does not have to turn the head as much as looking at the door mirror. Just a slight turn towards the middle of the dashboard will be enough and the display has clear images day and night.
Though not new in this market, the Remote Engine Start is a first-in-segment feature that City owners get. It allows starting the engine while away from the car and even activating the air-conditioner to cool down the interior – definitely what we need in Malaysia. Needless to say, there is keyless entry and you don’t need a key to start/stop the engine. This variant also comes with an Electric Parking Brake which engages with an almost effortless a lift of a small tab.
Consistent 5-Star record
The City has already been tested by ASEAN NCAP which gave it the maximum of 5 stars. In fact, for the ASEAN NCAP Grand Prix Awards 2020, the model received the safety organisation’s Excellent Award for Consistent 5-Star performance which has been achieved since the third generation.
Interested in getting one? If you don’t wish to go to a showroom, you can use the New Car Pre-Booking Online Platform at prebook.honda.com.my to pre-book the car. However, if you want to view and test-drive first, you can visit any authorised Honda dealer nationwide. Locations can be found at www.honda.com.my or by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number 1-800-88-2020.
‘Connected’ is a catchword in the auto industry today and advanced new technologies are providing this in cars. The advanced connectivity enables carmakers to provide even better safety, security and convenience and in many cases, interfacing with smartphones as well.
With Honda CONNECT, Honda Malaysia is bringing its latest innovative and advanced technology using smart Telematics Technology to allows the users to connect with their cars with a touch of their fingertips via a smartphone application.
New level of connectivity
Honda CONNECT is said to bring connectivity to a whole new level for owners. Key functions include Vehicle Diagnostics, Remote Applications, Security Applications, Vehicle Tracking and Support Services. All these are accessible from anywhere (via the smartphone), giving additional peace of mind.
“The technology within Honda CONNECT embodies Honda’s vision of value creation for mobility and people’s daily lives. Driven by the passion to share the 3 Joys of Honda through this intelligent and advanced technology, we seek to improve the daily lives of our customers with an innovative and advanced information platform that provides multiple benefits such as peace of mind, convenience and most importantly, fun!” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama.
“This innovative technology is set to redefine safety, security and convenience for Honda car owners, allowing them to fully experience and enjoy their Honda car while enabling us to provide round-the-clock support to our valued customers,” said Mr. Ishiyama, adding that Honda CONNECT technology is available in the all-new City RS e:HEV variant which will be delivered to customers from this month.
Safety, Convenience and Security
Within the function of Safety and Security, Honda CONNECT is equipped with Automatic Collision Detection System, Security Alarm Detection, Speed Alert, Find My Car, Geo-Fencing Alert and Emergency Call. The Automatic Collision Detection System provides immediate support to the driver via Honda’s 24 Hours Roadside Assist Call Centre in case of an accident or airbag deployment in the car, when a notification will be sent to the Call Centre and emergency support will be dispatched.
Users of Honda CONNECT will also be notified via push notification on the application when collisions are detected with the car, and help will be at hand in case of any emergency.
The Security Alarm Detection feature remotely monitors the car situation from wherever the owner is and a push notification will be sent to the owner as well as the Call Centre when the car door, bootlid or bonnet are forcibly opened. This could mean attempted car theft and will trigger the security alarm accordingly. Ultimately, it offers the assurance of being able to park the car with more peace of mind.
Taking connectivity to another level, owners are also able to conveniently and safely locate their vehicle with the Find My Car function which allows owners to park with ease anywhere knowing that they can now easily locate their car on a map that is linked to their smartphone.
The Speed Alert and Geo-Fencing Alert function is to alert and notify the owner when the vehicle is being driven out of the set conditional parameters of driving radius and speed limit. The owner is also able to set the speed and location range in the system for monitoring purposes if the vehicle is being used by someone else. This will be a feature that parents will appreciate but their children who use the car might not…
Enhancing the ownership experience
Honda CONNECT also adds convenience to car ownership with multiple features such as Remote Vehicle Control; Car Status and Service Reminder; Vehicle Dashboard and Point of Interest search. One of the most useful and convenient functions is the Remote Vehicle Control function which is able to command remote locking/unlocking of the car even when the owner is away in order for a family member to retrieve an item left inside the cabin. An example might be if the owner is in Penang on business and the son wants to borrow the tollcard in the car but it is locked. With Honda CONNECT, the door can be unlocked to allow the son to get in and take the card, and then locked again – from Penang.
Similarly, owners can also request for the Call Centre to unlock the doors remotely if the car key is accidentally left inside. Besides the car lock, this intelligent feature can also remotely start or stop the car engine, switch on or off the air-conditioning to conveniently cool the cabin as well as remotely switch on the lights to help the owner locate the parked car at night.
Service support
The vehicle dashboard will show information such as Car Status and Service Reminder. This information will be connected and displayed on the Honda CONNECT application as alerts and reminders. An emergency call function enables users to quickly connect with emergency contacts who can provide prompt support and assistance in emergencies.
Driving behaviour and Trip logs can track and record driving styles with driving data from the connected vehicle. The Service Reminder function provides users with updates on all past service information including reminders for next required maintenance. Users can check Service History, Parts List and Estimation cost for future vehicle service as well as contact a Honda Dealer to make a service appointment.
Honda CONNECT is available in the new City RS e:HEV. Deliveries of this top variant of the City range start this month.
Remote Diagnostic Support provides initial assessment and necessary diagnosis by detect any issues with 11 main indicators. The Call Centre will arrange for necessary support, if requested by the owner. Similarly, with the other safety and security features, a push notification will be sent to users when trouble occurs with the vehicle.
The 11 indicators supported by the Remote Diagnostic Support are ABS, Supplemental Restraint System (airbags), Brake System, Engine Malfunction, Charging System, Vehicle Stability Assist System, Electric Power Steering System, Lane Keep Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control System, Safety Support and Power System.
Social Network Services
Honda CONNECT also offers an advanced form of communication through the One-to-One Message function, Social Network Services (SNS) Posting and Customer Inquiry features. The One-to-One Message are reminders on service maintenance, insurance renewal and annual vehicle roadtax deadline, while SNS Posting allows users to share their vehicle trip logs with their community via social media. Additionally, the application connects and gives access for the owner to contact Honda directly for any enquiries as well as for Honda dealers to be in touch with customers.
More information on Honda CONNECT is available by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020 or visiting www.honda.com.my.
The introduction of the Honda Jazz/Fit in mid-2001 in Japan was significant in that it was the beginning of a new era where consumers had different requirements. This was evident not only with the new model being picked as the Japan’s ‘Car of the Year‘ but also being the first model to beat the Toyota Corolla for No. 1 position in the domestic market. The Corolla had been No. 1 every year for decades but the Fit showed that consumer tastes had changed and Honda understood what they wanted for the new decade and century.
Three generations of the Jazz. The first generation was Japan’s bestselling model in 2002, outselling the Toyota Corolla which had been No.1 in the domestic market for decades.
Now comes the fourth generation, launched today at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, and Honda says it has been developed to be the globally-accepted standard for compact cars suited to this new era. The development team pursued an ‘emotional value’ which cannot be expressed numerically and embodied four dimensions of comfort that enable this vehicle to be better able to support the daily lives of customers.
“We developed this vehicle not merely as a means of transportation for our customers. We strived for a vehicle which will become a part of our customers’ daily lives and make their daily lives more comfortable and enjoyable. This is a compact car for the new era, and this vehicle will set a new standard for Honda automobile development,” said Honda’s President & CEO, Takahiro Hachigo.
“What we strive to do with this all-new Fit is to establish the standard for compact cars suited to this new era. We believe this car will be able to become an industry standard for the new era only if it can win admiration in the Japanese market where fulfilling customer needs for compact cars is especially difficult compared to other parts of the world. Based on this belief, we squarely and sincerely faced our customers in Japan and perfected this all-new Fit as a global model that Honda will propose from Japan to the rest of the world,” he added.
Five versions
Although manufacturers typically offer various versions with different features at different price levels, Honda has made it a point with the new Jazz/Fit to emphasise that it is sold in 5 different versions (probably only for the domestic market) to allow customers to choose the version that is right for them depending on their lifestyle and life stage. The five versions, which have individual characteristics, are BASIC, HOME, NESS, CROSSTAR and LUXE. The differentiation is more than just features and equipment but also in exterior appearance.
The Fit BASIC will be the entry-level version but still offer a high-quality design and occupant comfort. It features a simple design with a front face and seamless, flowing exterior form.
As the name suggests, this Fit HOME version is more for a young family . It offers a relaxing and carefully-designed space with high visual and tactile quality by coordinating colours and materials, including natural-looking fabric seats made with high-quality materials, a genuine leather-wrapped steering wheel and Prime Smooth soft padding.
The NESS version features vivid colour coordination and adopts water-repellent materials for the seat surfaces and soft padding on the instrument panel. It has a sporty and fashionable image which should appeal to customers who enjoy driving just like they enjoy fitness and sports.
The Fit CROSSTAR has a more distinctive exterior developed exclusively for the version as well as larger 16-inch aluminium wheels. As for the interior, water-repellent materials are used for seat surfaces and soft padding on the instrument panel. The aim is to project an enhanced image of a compact and yet tough vehicle.
The Fit may be a compact hatchback but it can still be a mobile space where people can spend comfortable time. This LUXE version comes with standard genuine leather seats designed as an exclusive feature with high visual and tactile quality. For the exterior, platinum-style chrome plating and 16-inch aluminium wheels add to the high-quality feel.
Powertrains
The new Fit will go on sale in Japan in February next year and details of powertrains available have not been released. It is likely that the 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine will continue to be used and would be an improved unit. It is also expected that the 1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine used for the Civic in some markets will be offered. This compact unit produces around 130 ps/200 Nm and would be highly suited to the model.
1-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine (left) likely to be offered in new Fit, while the hybrid system is more advanced with the 2-motor system.
The hybrid version of the all-new Fit will be the first Honda compact car equipped with the 2-motor hybrid system. The system features 3 drive modes designed to enhance efficiency while providing optimum on-road performance during a variety of conditions. Called e:HEV, this powertrain uses a 1.5-litre engine and is an extension of the application of its i-MMD (Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive) from large to mid-sized vehicles to small-sized vehicles as it is the core of Honda electrification technologies.
Interior
With the new Fit, Honda is introducing a new-generation body stabilizing seat that the company developed while envisioning application for its high-class sedan models. The planar support structure of the seat stabilizes the body and makes long driving less tiring and enables the user to enjoy the soft feeling of the seat.
The rear seats continue to feature seat arrangements as versatile as that of the previous generation Fit and realize seat comfort equivalent to high-class sedan models by adopting a larger and thicker seat pad which offers stress-free seating even for adult passengers. It’s not clear if the Ultra Seat feature is maintained but that was a clever idea which enhanced the versatility of the model by creating more storage space in the rear half of the cabin.
New safety features
The Fit features a front pillar with a cross-sectional structure that is different from previous generations but dissipation of impact energy in the event of a collision remains effective enough to protect the occupants from harm. While ensuring collision safety performance without compromise, a newly-designed front pillar offers exceptionally wide and superior frontal visibility compared to that of previous models. Moreover, the instrument panel features a flat-topped design which emphasizes horizontal and straight lines, and the windscreen wipers are positioned so low as to be barely visible from inside the cabin.
Depending on the market, the new Fit/Jazz will come with a front camera which covers a wide area in front of the vehicle as part of the Honda SENSING advanced safety and driver-assist system. By combining the front wide view camera and 8 sonar sensors mounted in the front and back of the car, existing Honda SENSING functions can be enhanced.
The new Fit will also be the first model equipped with the Honda CONNECT on-board communication module developed exclusively for Honda vehicles. Starting with this model, Honda will begin evolving Honda Total Care Premium which consists of three services: 1) remote control of some vehicle functions via smartphone; 2) emergency support service which connects the vehicle directly to a support centre in case of an emergency such as a traffic accident and enables prompt and proper responses; and 3) security ‘rush over’ service which dispatches a security guard when an abnormal situation occurring to the vehicle is detected. Of course, availability of Honda CONNECT will depend on the market and whether there is an infrastructure to support it.
Sales in Japan start in February next year and the Honda Malaysia plant in Melaka must already be well into production planning to start local assembly. However, the timing would have to be coordinated with other ASEAN markets, with Thailand (or Indonesia) usually being the first country to launch a new model.
