Paris - Honda has announced details of the new Jazz that will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September and is set for sale on European markets in November.

A key styling feature is the "cab forward" body style with the A-pillar width reduced by 23 mm, a windscreen 25 mm wider and 205 mm taller. The wipers have been positioned well below the vision line improving visibility by 20 per cent, said the car maker.

Ultimate cabin spaciousness is offered with the 1.4 EX model that comes with a full length panorama roof, extending far enough to give rear seat passengers the same sky view as those in front.

A power sun shade can be opened and closed at the touch of a switch. Retaining key concepts of its predecessor with centre fuel tank layout and interior seat flexibility, the new Jazz is 55 mm longer at 3.9 metres and two cm wider at 1.7 metres. A longer wheelbase gives rear passengers more legroom and boosts boot space from 380 to 399 litres.

Instead of the two-valve i-DSI technology used in the predecessor model, the latest range is powered by four-valve i-VTEC petrol engines of either 1.2-litre or 1.4-litre capacity. Power in the 1.2-litre version is up from 78 to 90 hp with fuel consumption down to 5.1 litres per 100 kilometres. The emission figure is at 120 grammes per kilometre.

Output of the 1.4-litre motor is up from 83 top 100 hp. The engines are connected to either a 5-speed manual transmission or on 1.4 models, 6-speed automated manual transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. (dpa)