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With the first week of lockdown done and dusted, I've had some time to reflect on the first month and a half I've had with the latest addition to our long-term fleet: the Honda Jazz Sport.
My first taste of this model was at the beginning of 2018 when Honda launched its FK8 Civic Type R. Let's get back to the Jazz, which is one of the eight different models sold in South Africa by the Japanese carmaker.
It's a car many people are familiar with, and while it's badged the Fit in Japan and the Americas, we know it as the Jazz.
Jazzed up
This particular model is the flagship of the range and benefits visually from a new grille design with smatterings of piano black and chrome elements. There's a front splitter and with red-pinstriped details to add a sporty, 'Type R-esque' look, according to Honda.
There are slim LED daytime driving lights and LED headlights.
You'll find the mirrors are wrapped in gloss black, and there are side skirts, a rear spoiler and a black diffuser with a red strip to mirror the one on the front splitter.
It wears smart 16-inch black alloy wheels and finishes off the exterior with a nice touch. I'm sure some people have suspected I've nicked my gran's Jazz and added some JDM vibes.
Image: Quickpic
Does the show match the go?
One of the changes under the Jazz's skin is the addition of a CVT by which it changes gears and the fitment of paddle shifts located behind the steering wheel.
The engine, well that's the tried and tested 1.5-litre i-VTEC mill featuring company's 'Earth Dreams Technology'.
Delving deeper into the four-cylinder it features a dual overhead camshaft and makes use of direct injection and intelligent variable valve timing and lift.
The power output is quoted at 97kW at high 6600 r/min, with torque peak registered at 155Nm at 4600 r/min. There's more than sufficient power for city and highway driving, but the key is to feather the throttle pedal as any heaviness will see the CVT drone like a banshee.
Honda says the power output is identical to that of the much-loved Ballade 160i DOHC, 160E and CR-X performance models of the 1990s.
The Jazz Sport, weighing just 1066kg, has a power-to-weight ratio of 91kW/ton.
Image: Quickpic
Lockdown
I'll be grateful to have more time in the seat after the lockdown period, but for now I've enjoyed the comfortable seats, funky styling and solid build quality.
For the time being, the Jazz Sport is parked safely in my garage and only needed in extreme cases. In the next update, I'll explore the interior and what the Jazz is like to live with on a practical level.
And remember, stay safe during the lockdown.
Image: Quickpic
