The car is available in 5-speed manual transmission. Honda promises a sporty, 'peppy' drive.

Compared to the first model of the Jazz, which launched in 2001, the New Jazz (launched in Japan in 2007), has bigger front quarter windows and more leg and feet room.

In India, Honda is selling the new Jazz, which in Japan is called the Honda Fit. Honda has opted to call the model 'The Jazz' in International markets, in keeping with its tradition of using music to describe its different models, like the Accord and Prelude.

The hatchback segment currently forms about 80 per cent of the 1.5-million car market in India. Honda, eager to tap into this segment, says it will bring a second small car to India in the next 2-3 years, which will be positioned lower than the Jazz.