For our China-based readers, the Honda Jade is not a new model: the automaker has been selling it there since 2013. The car debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show that year as the production version of the Concept S and subsequently went on sale as a China-only model.
However, Honda has now decided to offer the Jade in Japan as well, announcing on its Japanese market website that the car will launch in February. Unlike the China-spec model which is powered by a 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, the Jade sold in Honda’s home market is only offered with the Sport Hybrid i-DCD (intelligent dual-clutch drive) powertrain.
The hybrid powertrain combines a 1.5-liter direct-injection engine with a 29.5 PS/160Nm lithium-ion-powered electric motor, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It’s the same hybrid system used in the Vezel Hybrid (HR-V) and Fit Hybrid (Jazz) models.
The Jade is equipped with Honda’s Sensing suite of active safety systems, including Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, among other technologies.
Interestingly, Honda chose to offer the Jade in a six-seat format (2+2+2) instead of going for a seven-seat configuration (2+3+2). The latter doesn’t appear impossible to offer, given that the second-row seats are wider than the front seats and are separated by two armrests that take up enough space. Who knows, maybe in the future (or on other markets) the Jade will be offered as a seven-seater as well. In China, the Jade is offered either as a five-seater or as a six-seater.
Honda is also expected to unveil a tuned version of the Jade at the Tokyo Auto Salon (January 9-11).
Story references: Honda via Paultan
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