Autoblog

The Honda Jazz has been sold abroad for years and we were finally able to benefit from its pequeño proportions when it was finally made available to U.S. customers as the Fit in 2005. Its popularity both here and abroad means that the next iteration won't stray too far from the current model and judging by these latest shots from AutoExpress, Honda knows it shouldn't mess with a good thing.

The most obvious change comes courtesy of the new front clip, with smoother proportions that will meet Europe's new pedestrian impact standards, along with more tightly drawn headlamps that form a narrower diamond shape and are pulled closer towards the A-pillar.

What's less obvious from the picture is the new proportions, that increase the width by 20mm and the length by 50mm. This will further contribute to the Fit/Jazz's class-leading interior space that includes those trick folding rear seats.

Our friends on the other side of the planet will benefit from a new diesel engine, while the petrol-powered mills are likely to come in the 1.3- and 1.5-liter flavors found in Japan. However, there's no word on whether or not these Japanese-specific motors will be available when the new Jazz debuts.

AutoExpress contends that the new model will debut at this year's Tokyo Motor Show in October and considering that the Fit sits on lots in the States less than any other vehicle, we'd expect this new model to be U.S.-bound in the near future.

[Source: AutoExpress]