Honda is all set to launch the new City e:HEV hybrid sedan in the Indian market in May 2022. The Japanese automaker believes that the hybrids could be the instant solution for the rising fuel prices. The new City e:HEV is claimed to return an impressive fuel economy of 26.5kmpl.
Not just Honda, Toyota-Suzuki JV is banking on heavily localised made strong hybrid vehicles to target cost-conscious buyers. Moreover, these models will also meet the new stricter emission norms. The Japanese brands approach is completely different from the other automakers like Tata & Mahindra which are betting big on EVs.
MSIL, Toyota and Honda are banking on hybrids as a critical “bridge strategy” before Indian buyers migrate to complete electrification. The hybrid cars cost nearly 15-20% more than the conventional petrol cars. However, these hybrids deliver 35-40% better fuel efficiency than petrol.
While Honda will launch the new City hybrid, Toyota and Suzuki will introduce hybrid SUVs in the country in 2022. Moreover, Honda is also working on a new mid-sized SUV for the Indian market. Scheduled to be launched in 2023, the new Honda SUV is likely to get the City’s hybrid powertrain.
Japanese automakers believe that hybrid cars will eventually lead to higher localisation of parts for electric vehicles and make them more accessible to a larger customer base. The Toyota and Suzuki mid-sized SUVs will come with localised hybrid solution.
Honda City e:HEV
The new City hybrid comes with a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally-aspirated Atkinson Cycle petrol engine paired to two electric motors. While the gasoline motor makes a claimed power of 98bhp with 127Nm, the electric motor delivers 109bhp with 253Nm from 0 rpm. One of the electric motor works as an integrated starter generator that improves fuel economy and reduces emissions. The other motor works as a traction motor connected to the wheels. The City hybrid comes with a 0.734kWh lithium-ion battery.
The powertrain comes with a single, fixed-gear ration. It offers three driving modes – Engine Drive (running only on petrol engine), EV Drive (running only on electric motor) and Hybrid Drive (running on a combination of both).
