Honda Has Filed A Design Patent For The 2020 Jazz In India

Honda Motor Company has filed an intellectual property (IP) patent in India for the design of the 2020 Jazz. This is a standard auto industry procedure to protect carmakers against possible IP violations. Is the 2020 Jazz coming to India? We can’t say, yet. If launched, it could be priced upwards of Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom) and rival the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20.

We had previously reported that the 2020 Jazz is unlikely to be launched in India owing to the current model’s meagre sales. However, Honda has given the current car a mild facelift and BS6 engines and is likely to launch it soon after the ongoing coronavirus-induced lockdown is lifted.

Although the Honda Jazz has never been a hot seller like its segment rivals, recent Honda compact cars such as the Amaze have performed well in our market. The sub-4m sedan consistently reports higher sales than the more established City. If the 2020 Jazz makes it to India, a BS6 oil burner option will put it at an advantage over Maruti’s diesel-bereft lineup.

But the possibility of a diesel isn’t the only aspect that favours the Jazz. With dainty A-pillars and a piscine front fascia, it is arguably better-looking than the India-spec car. Honda unveiled it at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show and we have been craving for it ever since.

On the inside, it features a Honda e-like two-spoke steering wheel and a floating infotainment screen placed on a flat, low dashboard. White trim on the dashboard and centre console lights up the cabin and old-school dials operate the climate control. The aesthetic is far more modern and premium than the Hondas currently on sale in India. It even beats the upcoming Honda City!

However, it is normal for a car company to secure itself by filing IP patents for models in other countries even if the car is not sold in that country. For example, Honda has a design patent in India for the China-only Guangqi Honda Crider mid-size sedan. So we wouldn’t get excited just yet. The BS6 Jazz facelift will likely be the only Honda hatchback on offer for the foreseeable future.