Honda is all set to launch new City on 7th January, 2014 in the Indian auto market. As it turns out to be, Honda City is one of the highly anticipated vehicles of the current fiscal. Expectations are high as the auto company, for the first time, is going to introduce a diesel version of City. The all-new Honda City will be launched in both petrol and diesel engine options. This sedan was unveiled on 25th November, 2013. The company had also announced the commencement of pre-launch bookings for this vehicle, which might be the prime reason behind an early introduction.
Launch of City could do wonders for the Japanese manufacturer as there is a huge demand of diesel vehicles in the domestic market. Thus, the auto company would not like to miss the opportunity of luring customers from the beginning of 2014. Interestingly, this sedan has been developed at Honda's Research and Development centre, which is located in Tochigi, Japan. Prior to the development of this vehicle, the auto company had conducted extensive market surveys to find out exactly what customers wanted.
This upcoming sedan will mainly target the Indian market for some obvious reasons. This is clear from the press release that covered the unveiling ceremony back in November. The press release, stated, “India, being a key strategic market for Honda in the Asia and Oceania region, has been specifically chosen to lead the global production for the All New Honda City with the 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine which is already gaining popularity in the country. This makes India the first country to manufacture and sell the All New City, which will eventually be sold in 60 markets to help expand Honda’s footprint in some of the fastest growing auto markets in the world.”
Honda is trying its best to make City a leader in the mid-size sedan category. As a result, one can see that this upcoming vehicle has perky exteriors and interiors along with best-in-class fuel efficiency. The all-new City makes use of Honda's new concept "Exciting H Design" that boasts of “Solid Wing Face, Well Toned Athlete Form body and Finely Honed Surfacing on the exterior.”
This 4th generation sedan will offer more space and comfort for owners. It has been smartly designed with "man maximum machine minimum" concept. Notably, the new City has a height of 1495 mm and wheelbase of 2600 mm. As compared to the previous generation model, the height has seen an increase of 10 mm. The length (4440 mm) and width (1695 mm) of this upcoming vehicle are going to be same as its predecessor.
As mentioned before, this is first time that the auto company is going to introduce a diesel version of City in India. The petrol version will get a 1.5-litre four-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC petrol engine that has been tuned to deliver an enhanced performance. The mileage, as claimed by the company, of this variant will be 18 kmpl. On the other hand, Honda City diesel will derive its power from the 1.5-litre DOHC i-DTEC diesel engine. The mileage offered will be up to 26 kmpl, which is being considered as best-in-class.
Many experts are of the opinion that all-new Honda City will get a tremendous response in the domestic market due to introduction of a diesel variant. The auto company, too, would be hoping for a good response in the Indian auto market post the launch of its new sedan.
