The all new Honda City was globally unveiled at a world premiere in Delhi. The City was Honda’s most iconic model to be sold in India. It was launched in 1998 when the premium sedan market was at a very nascent stage but then the City was always meant for emerging Asian nations and India did play an important role.
Honda has sold over 4.3 lakh units in the country from the time of its launch. The City is the main reason for Honda’s premium status in India. The brand enjoys great popularity in the country to the extent that Honda has always been synonymous with the City.
Honda claims the new City will have a mileage that will set new records. Although, they don’t have any official confirmations on this figure, the company officials claim that once the ARAI figures are out, only then the real time mileage figures can be revealed.
The Japanese auto major which was very stubborn to bring its diesel line up in India seems to have finally given up against the rising heat of “Dieselization” in the premium segment of sedans in India. Hyundai Verna clearly is the leader in this segment presently but Honda clearly is very confident that with the new City, they will regain dominance in this segment.
The All new Fourth generation Honda City will be powered by a 1.5L i-DTEC engine which also powers the present generation Honda Amaze. The Amaze has also taken the entry level sedan market with storm. Honda is also aware that many customers are facing issues availing the diesel version of Amaze due to which the company has decided to raise the production capacity and start third shift in November 2013.
The City has been designed and developed at the R&D centre located in Tochigi, Japan. It is a result of a multi diversified research carried in the country. The research analysis has helped the company gauge Indian customers and their needs. The final feedback was classified in three sections which mainly catered to Design, Comfort and Performance. Consumers all over wanted the new City not only to match the present levels but also carry it forward with greater intensity.
It will be manufactured in India and will be sold over 60 markets globally to expand Honda’s footprints in such markets. It imbibes Honda’s “Man maximum Machine Minimum” concept which concentrates on making the passenger comfort and space of top most priority than the spacing of mechanical components.
Dimension wise, the New Honda City will retain the 4440mm length and 1695mm width but then the height of the cabin has been increased by 10mm making it 1495mm and also the wheelbase has been extended by 50mm to make it 2600mm. The new City will deliver optimum performance and superb fuel efficiency which is a result of Honda’s latest “Earth Dreams” technology. The petrol variant will retain the 1.5L engine but then the engine has been further improved to deliver an efficient and powerful performance.
Honda City’s prime rival will be Hyundai Verna. The Verna has clicked really well because of the features it offers and also the fluidic design philosophy has worked really well with all. Honda is extremely tight lipped about pricing and further details but then Honda officials had a confident smile on their faces which might not go well with their rivals. Honda will hit it at the right spot with the new City. Honda officially launches the New City in January 2014.
