KUALA LUMPUR: Honda Malaysia today launched the latest iteration of its City compact sedan.
Available in five variants, the City gets priced on-the-road without insurance at RM84,900 for the entry-level S variant, followed by E at RM89,900, V at RM94,900, RS (petrol) at RM99,900 and the range-topping e:HEV RS hybrid) at RM111,900.
With a target to sell 2,400 units monthly, the facelifted model comes with restyled front and rear bumper that exude a sportier appearance.
The latest has a 2,600mm wheelbase while measuring 4,580mm long, 1,748mm wide and 1,467mm tall.
As with the current generation City model first launched locally in 2020, the facelifted City is powered by a 1.5-litre (1,498cc) i-VTEC DOHC engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that manages 121PS at 6,600rpm and 145Nm of torque at 4,300rpm for the front wheels.
The e:HEV RS uses a 1.5-litre engine with an Atkinson Cycle that produces 98PS from 5,600 to 6,400rpm and 127Nm of torque from 4,500 to 5,000rpm.
The power output is further supplemented by an electric motor that produces 109PS from 3,500 to 8,000rpm and 253Nm of torque from 0 to 3,000rpm.
All that twist gets managed by an electric CVT (e-CVT).
Sprinting from 0 to 100kph, the S and E variants will get the deed done in 10.2 seconds, while the V and RS petrol variants lag behind by 0.2 seconds at 10.4 seconds.
The e:HEV RS is able to perform the century sprint in 9.9 seconds.
The top speed for the S and E stands at 196kph while the V and RS is limited to 195kph. The e:HEV RS tops out at 177kph.
For fuel consumption, the e:HEV RS is able to consume just 3.6 litres per 100km while the other petrol-powered variants consume 5.6 litres per 100km.
All variants get LED Daytime Running Lights and side mirrors with turning lights.
The S and E variants are equipped with halogen lamps while the others get LED units.
The suspension is front MacPherson Struts and rear torsion beam while the brakes are the front ventilated and rear drums for the S, E and V. For the RS variants, the rear brakes are the disc-type.
The S and E variants get fabric seats and use 15-inch wheels with 185/60 series tyres while the rest get leather upholstery and 16-inch wheels with 185/55 tyres.
Meter cluster is the 4.2-inch type for the S, E and V while the RS variants get a 7-inch TFT unit.
Although a 15-inch spare wheel is found in the 519-litre boot, the e:HEV RS has a temporary tyre repair kit instead due to a restricted 410-litre boot.
Paddle shifters are available across the variants except for the e:HEV RS which gets a deceleration paddle selector in its place.
Other standard equipment for all variants are walkaway auto lock system, keyless entry with push-start button, rear air vents, a four-speaker sound system with Bluetooth connectivity and 60:40 split folding rear seats.
Also standard across the range are vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, hill-start assist, emergency stop signal and reverse sensors.
Bolstering safety for all variants are six airbags and the inclusion of Honda Sensing which includes Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keep Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic High Beam and Lead Car Departure Notification.
The Honda Sensing system in the e:HEV RS comes with an additional feature of Low-Speed Follow.
The S gets a standard audio system with a single front USB port while the rest are equipped with two front USB ports and an 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are only available in the RS variants.
Two rear USB ports, four tweeters and a multi-angle reverse camera are also standard for all except the S variant.
Meanwhile, the HondaLane Watch camera system is featured in V and RS variants.
The RS variants also get the exclusive Honda CONNECT as standard but Honda Malaysia is offering the customers of other variants to have their cars installed with the telematics system at a special offer of RM1,500 until January next year.
Lastly, the e:HEV RS is the only variant to receive an automatic brake-hold function and electric parking brake.
The company has provided five colour options of Lunar Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Ignite Red Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.
The range-topping e:HEV RS is only available in Ignite Red Metallic, Lunar Silver Metallic and Meteoroid Gray Metallic.
“The fifth-generation City further offers our customers with value and feature offerings in two RS variants - the e:HEV RS and Petrol RS, in which customers will have more options based on their needs and demands,” said Honda Malaysia managing director and chief executive officer Hironobu Yoshimura.
He also said Honda Malaysia would not introduce the next-generation Honda Accord model in Malaysia.
Yoshimura said the company would instead focus its efforts on promoting the C-segment and below cars as well as sports utility vehicles which were popular among its buyers.
For more information, log on to www.honda.com.my or visit any of the 101 authorised Honda dealerships nationwide or call Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.
