• Jazz to get BS6 petrol engine soon

• Diesels won’t be part of updated Jazz range

• Minor cosmetic and feature updates will be part of update

Honda Cars India is reworking its powertrain strategy and one of the outcomes is the move to make the Jazz a petrol-only model for the BS6 era. The current-gen Honda Jazz has been on sale since 2015 with a 1.2-litre petrol unit that's offered with manual and CVT options, and a 1.5-litre diesel engine that comes with a 6-speed manual. Both engines debuted in BS6 form on the Honda Amaze earlier this year.  

Why the Jazz diesel is being dropped?

Explaining the decision, Rajesh Goel, Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd told Autocar India, “During 2019-20, HCIL’s overall sales contribution was almost 80 percent from petrol and 20 percent from diesel, but this trend differed in each of the product segments. Although there is an increasing shift in market preference towards petrol, we believe that the demand for diesel will not vanish immediately. Hence, in our BS6 line-up, we have strategically decided to offer diesel models in specific segments in line with our customer’s preference. For example, among our three product offerings in the sub-four-metre segment, diesel contribution in WR-V and Amaze was quite significant and hence they are being offered in both petrol and diesel. On the other hand, customers for the premium hatchback Jazz are increasingly opting for the petrol model, and hence the new Jazz will be offered in petrol variants only”.

What’s next for the Jazz?

The Honda Jazz is set for a revamp. Aside from the BS6-compliant version of the 1.2-litre petrol engine, the Jazz is also set to receive “design changes and feature refreshments”; expect mild cosmetic updates and additional comfort features. LED headlights could be on the cards as well.  

Honda had revealed teasers of the updated Jazz prior to the lockdown but has disclosed the model will not go on sale immediately. “As per our model refreshment plan, the launch of refreshed BS6 Jazz is some time away,” Goel said. The lockdown has disturbed product launch schedules across the board and even Honda has been impacted. The launch of the Jazz BS6 will be preceded by those of the BS6 WR-V and the next-gen Honda City. In case you are wondering, the next-gen Honda Jazz is not on the cards for India.

What will the Jazz have to beat?

The BS6 Honda Jazz will be up against other premium hatchbacks like the Maruti Suzuki Baleno, Toyota Glanza, Hyundai i20 and the new Tata Altroz. Interestingly, barring the Altroz that is available with a 1.5-litre diesel engine, all other rivals are available in petrol-only form. The current-gen Hyundai i20 is in its run-out phase, though the next-gen model that comes later this year will be offered with a diesel engine.

The Jazz has always stood out for its space and practicality and Honda would sure hope the traits hold it in good stead in the BS6 era.