Honda had announced that the new City hybrid sedan will be launched in our market in 2021. However, the launch has been delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. It is now reportedly to be launched in the next financial year, FY2022. Japanese automaker is also developing a new mid-sized SUV for the Indian market.
The new Honda City hybrid sedan will be positioned above the standard model, and is likely to be priced around Rs 15 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. The hybrid version will be powered by a petrol-electric hybrid option. The hybrid version comprises of a 98bhp, 1.5-litre Atkinson Cycle petrol engine paired with an integrated started generation (ISG) and a second electric motor offering 109bhp. This set-up is also offered with the new-gen Jazz in the global markets.
The new Honda City Hybrid sedan is already on sale in select South Asian markets including Thailand. The e:HEV will be offered in 3 driving modes – Electric Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. In electric drive mode, the new City hybrid can completely runs on electric power during low-speed cruising. In the hybrid drive mode, the petrol engine and electric motor combine for optimum power and economy. On higher-speed, the vehicle will ride on the petrol engine.
The new Honda City hybrid sedan is claimed to return a fuel efficiency of over 27kmpl, which makes it the most fuel efficient in the segment. The new model is likely to be called the City RS hybrid, which is very similar to the Thai-spec City. The Thai-spec model is fitted with features like steering wheel paddles, a 7-inch instrument console, an electronic parking brake, etc.
The sedan also comes fitted with Honda Sensing suite of active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane assist and automatic high-beam. However, these features are unlikely to be offered on the India-spec model. The sedan will also get Honda’s LaneWatch blind spot camera.
Design highlights include signature honeycomb grille, a carbon fibre-look front bumper lip and new fog lamp enclosure, a rear diffuser, a black boot lid spoiler and new 16-inch dual-tone alloys. It also gets faux leather upholstery with contrasting red stitching and alloy pedals.
