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Refreshed Honda Jazz offers new engine option

New-look Honda Jazz offers updated exterior, interior and new-to-Europe 1.5-litre petrol engine.

The refreshed Honda Jazz has been unveiled exhibiting minor changes to the exterior and interior design, plus a new trim level and engine option. The design brings the Jazz into line with the latest Honda family style, incorporating new headlamps and grille.

The 128 Bhp i-VTEC Euro 6 petrol engine achieves 52.3 mpg and emissions as low as 124 g/km CO2 with the optional automatic CVT gearbox. The engine is available as part of a new “Dynamic” trim level, which comes with red-line accents front and rear, LED headlights, front fog lamps, side sill skirts, a tailgate spoiler and gloss-black 185/55 R16 alloy wheels. In addition, Honda say a 100 Bhp 1.3 i-VTEC petrol engine will continue to be available.

Adding to the more upmarket feel, the interior features a unique pinstripe pattern on the upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Boot space remains unchanged at 354 litres (897 litres with the rear seats folded down) with a maximum interior loading length of 2,480 mm and maximum loading height of 1,280 mm.

The new-look Honda Jazz will be available to order from November across Europe, with deliveries starting in early 2018.

UK drivers average £58 per year for council parking charges

UK drivers average £58 per year for council parking charges

Councils across the UK made £1.5bn from parking charges and penalties in 2015-16, equivalent to £58 per person and up 4% year on year, new data has revealed.

Statistics from the RAC Foundation, analysed by Click4reg.co.uk, showed a combined £483m (+2%) increase in income from on-street tickets and permits, while penalty charges from those sites was up 3%, at £338m.

By comparison, off-street parking income had risen 5% year on year, with charges and penalties totalling £682m. Brighton and Hove recorded the largest figure, at £28.7m, while Bristol had the largest increase, up 22% to £16.5m.

Calls for UK to mandate latest safety technology

Calls for UK to mandate latest safety technology

The UK Government must support European Commission plans to improve vehicle safety standards, recognising new driver assistance technology introduced since they were last updated in 2009.

A coalition including Brake, ACFO, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, European Transport Safety Council, Living Streets, the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety and RoadPeace has written a joint letter to Roads Minister, Jesse Norman calling for the proposals to be followed through following Brexit.

Last year, the Commission identified 19 safety technologies which it said it was considering making mandatory – these include Autonomous Emergency Braking, Intelligent Speed Assistance (which adjusts to help drivers keep to speed limits) and updates to crash test requirements for pedestrians and occupants.