Honda will follow-up one of the most successful models in supermini history when its all-new Jazz goes on sale this Autumn. At a time of rising fuel prices and financial instability, a range of low emission, high economy petrol engines makes the new model an attractive option for the increasing number of motorists looking to downsize.

By enhancing its strongest qualities, Honda engineers have taken the innovative design and versatility of the current Jazz to the next stage. Greater flexibility, more interior space and lively, but economical engines raise the bar even further in a class that’s struggled to match the Jazz for customer satisfaction and reliability.

Two new, low emission petrol engines are designed to appeal to customers who might be downsizing, as well as those looking to achieve fuel economy comparable to diesel models. Adopting Honda’s i-VTEC variable valve timing technology, the 90PS 1.2-litre and 100PS 1.4-litre engines deliver lively performance with exceptional economy.

The 1.2-litre engine achieves an exceptional 55.4mpg (combined), while CO₂ emissions are also improved, at 120g/km. It’s a similar story with the new 1.4-litre engine. Compared to the previous i-DSI unit which produced 83 PS and 119Nm, power is up to 100PS and torque is 127Nm with fuel economy from 54.3mpg (combined) for the manual model. CO₂ exhaust emissions are as low as 123g/km.

There's also the option of Honda’s next-generation 6-speed i-SHIFT automated manual transmission on the 1.4-litre engine – a first in this class. The unit is a development of the system first fitted to the Civic, with improvements made including; reduced gear change times, smoother shifts and more intelligent automatic mode shift logic. Equipped with this gearbox, the Jazz achieves an impressive 54.3mpg with some models recording an incredible 120g/km of CO₂ emissions, putting it in VED Band B, along with the 1.2-litre car.

The new SIL (Shift Indicator Light) fitted to manual models, similar to that found on the new Accord, provides a visual prompt of the best gear shift points to maximise economy.