Any Honda Jazz fans here? Yeah, you might want to temper your expectations for 2021, as it’s looking less and less likely Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) will bring in the latest version of your favorite hatchback.
The likely decision to forego introducing the fourth-generation Jazz here makes sense, but it’s still a bummer. And we have a feeling that seeing what the brand has in store for the hatch at the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon—which, in case you missed it, is going virtual for the first time ever—is going to drive this point home further.
This is the Honda Fit e:HEV Crosstar Custom, and it’s what the Jazz would look like if the Japanese car manufacturer suddenly decided to turn it into a hatch that can go anywhere. This is a nameplate that’s usually been more associated with practicality than outright capability, and Honda says its Auto Salon display is meant to showcase what an expanded Jazz lifestyle would look like.
Not much needed to be done to beef-up this vehicle, if we’re being honest. It’s already based on the hatchback's semi-crossover-looking variant, the Crosstar, so all that’s been added is a roof rack, some steel rims wrapped in Toyo all-terrain tires, and a cool desert paint job. The face has also been altered and now features a more minimalist appearance. Also, no performance changes have been mentioned, so we’re assuming this thing’s hybrid-electric powertrain still puts out 97hp and 127Nm of torque like the stock version.
Business-minded car fans, meanwhile, can look forward to the brand’s business-on-wheels take on the N-Van. It’s basically the same kei car, except with what appears to be a chrome exterior and an interior that’s been stripped to make way for a mobile café setup. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait for the vehicle to be revealed to see more of it.
Like what you see? Then you’re going to want to drop by the 2021 Tokyo Auto Salon when it opens to the public on January 15. Remember: This year’s event is entirely online. Will you be tuning in later this week?
