Japanese automaker, Honda seems aggressive with its product strategy as it plans a wide range of new SUVs and sedans for the global market. The company has officially announced to introduce the next-gen Civic sedan prototype on November 17, 2020. Interestingly, Honda is also testing the next-gen City hatchback which is reportedly to be unveiled on the 24th of November 2020.
Replacement For Jazz?
Honda was selling the City hatchback as the Gienia hatch in the Chinese market. The new model will be unveiled in Thailand. With new design and other changes, the new model will also go on sale in select international markets. The new-gen City hatchback is rumoured to be launched in some emerging markets as a replacement for the next-gen Fit hatchback. The new Fit/Jazz has become more expensive for the emerging markets.
Design and Interior
The patent images of the new Honda City hatchback have already been leaked. Except for the rear profile, the new model looks exactly similar to the newly launched City sedan. The new model will look similar to the sedan until the B-pillar and the biggest upgrade is made at the rear. This model will receive bigger greenhouse area, rear door, sleeker tail-lamps and sportier rear bumper.
Inside the cabin, the new City hatchback will have a larger touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Most of the features will be sourced from the new Thailand-spec City sedan. The new City sedan is 4,549mm in length and has a wheelbase of 2,600mm. The hatchback version will also sit above 4 meters in length and is likely to measure close to 4.2 meters in length.
Honda City Hatchback Specifications
In Thailand, the hatchback will be equipped with a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that also powers the City sedan. This engine is capable of producing 122bhp of power at 5,500rpm and a peak torque 175Nm between 2,000 and 4,500rpm. Power will be transmitted to the front wheels via a CVT automatic.
The new model is also likely to receive the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine producing 121bhp and 145Nm of torque. Similar to the City hybird, the hatchback could also receive the 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine with two electric motors that distribute power between the axles via e-CVT. While powering the new Jazz/Fit, this hybrid system offers 109bhp and 253Nm of torque. The new model accelerates to 100kmph from zero in just 9.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 175kmph. The new Jazz has 3 driving modes – EV, Hybrid and Engine.
