Motoring: Cool Jazz from Honda,
JUST in time for next month’s new 65 plate, Honda has announced prices for its funky new third-generation Jazz, which goes on sale from £13,495.
That buys you the entry-level ‘S version’ of the hatchback supermini, which arrives in showrooms from early September.
But if you want to push the boat out, you might stretch to £17,425 for the flagship EX Navi CVT model, which comes with all the bells and whistles.
Honda is also pushing its personal finance deals, which, after a 30 per cent deposit could see you take delivery from £139 a month (5.9 per cent APR).
Dr Who would be proud of the Tardis-like efforts Honda has made on the interior, which is ‘proportionally even larger than the previous model’. There is more space for passengers and in the boot — 354 litres with the rear seats up and 897 litres with them down.
Fitted as standard on the basic ‘S version’ trim is air-conditioning, cruise control and automatic dusk-sensing lights.
All levels are fitted with Honda’s City-Brake Active system to help avoid low- speed accidents, common in city driving.
The mid-grade SE model is priced from £14,595 and adds features such as front and rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and 15 in alloy wheels.
It also includes Honda’s driver assistance safety pack, which comes with radar sensors along with forward and rearfacing cameras.
The flagship EX, from £15,715, adds keyless smart entry and start, automatic climate control and six-speaker audio upgrade.
Built-in Garmin satnav is an option on SE and EX models. There’s also a new, highly efficient 1.3-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, which promises to deliver the ‘sprightly driving performance’ of the previous 1.4-litre unit.
It can be combined with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a new, continuously variable ‘CVT’ transmission, to give emissions as low as 106 g/km of CO2.
ROLLS- ROYCE really does think it is rock ’n’ roll. So much so that it has launched a special-edition Wraith that is ‘inspired by music’ and is for those who like to rock in their Roller.
It features a bespoke audio system — created over two years by a team of the world’s best automotive audio engineers — which delivers its unique sound via a 1,300- watt, 18-channel system comprising two highly powerful bass speakers, seven tweeters and seven mid-range speakers.
Two ‘exciter’ speakers hand-fitted in the car’s lining above the passengers heads play a vital role.
Microphones monitor ambient and exterior noises and adjust volume and tone automatically.
Past rock ’n’ Rollers include Elvis Presley, who in 1961 ordered a Phantom V; The Who drummer Keith Moon; and John Lennon, who in 1965 bought a Phantom V and painted it in psychedelic colours.
FAMILIES downsizing to more fuel-efficient, smaller cars helped new vehicle sales soar for the 41st month in a row — with more than 1.5 million registrations this year.
A total of 178,420 new cars were sold in July — up 3.2 per cent on the same month last year.
MOTORISTS could each save £750 a year by going electric — knocking a staggering £24.5 billion off the nation’s fuel bill, say ‘green’ car supporters at the Go Ultra Low campaign.
However, the RAC warned that the savings may not last much longer as looming government changes to electric car grants and the car tax system may dissuade people from buying ‘green’ cars.