Honda’s upgraded City is setting new records by contributing towards the monthly sales growth. Within two months of its launch in India, the sedan has toppled segment leader Verna. Monthly sales figure of City and Verna show that Honda is selling almost double units of the sedan as compared to its rival Verna.
Honda is now offering City in diesel version too along with the petrol variant. The lack to diesel avatar pinched City right from the day when Hyundai rolled outFluidicVerna in India.
Demand for diesel powered City is high which the company expects to be the same in coming months. Production of petrol City has also started in February which will contribute towards the vehicle’s demand in India. In 2011, Hyundai had launched Verna sedan sporting Hyundai’s new design language ‘Fluidic’ and equipped with several best in class features that helped it outnumber City in monthly sales.
The sudden rise in petrol price and wide difference between the prices of petrol and diesel, resulted in dip of cars run on petrol. This was the time when City struggled to maintain its reign in C segment and hence Honda decided to develop dieselpowertrainfor its line-up in India. Honda City diesel is packed with the newly developed Earth Dreams 1.5 litre i-D-tecdiesel motor that belts out a maximum power output of 100 PS at 3600 RPM along with a top torque of 200Nmat 1750 RPM. The frugal engine returns a best in class mileage of 26kmpland is available for sale at a starting price of Rs 7.19lakhfor the basic petrol version and Rs 8.37lakhfor the basic diesel version (All prices mentioned are ex-showroom Delhi) .
Hyundai Verna diesel on the other hand is available in two engine options- a 1.4 litreCRDiand a 1.6 litreCRDidiesel motor. The 1.4 litreCRDidiesel motor generates 90 PS at 4000 RPM and 22.43 kg at 1750-2750 RPM.The 1.6 litreCRDiVGTdiesel engine offers an enhanced power output of 128.08 PS at 4000 RPM and 26.5 kg torque at 1900-2750 RPM.
Hyundai has doled out massive discounts and is promising immediate deliveries to lure customers. However, it remains to be seen whether these lucrative discounts help Hyundai rope in increased bookings for Verna.
