Honda Car India had postponed the launch and media drive of the 2020MY City due to COVID-19
It is not news that Honda’s all-new City sedan is one of the most awaited launches on the Indian automotive market. At the start of the nation’s COVID-19 crisis, Honda Car India had postponed the launch and official media drive of the 2020MY City by an undisclosed period of time. Since the implementation of various social distancing protocols, various automakers have turned to online platforms (including social media) to share important information or conduct events. In fact, the 2020MY Hyundai Verna — a direct rival to the 2020MY Honda City — was launched online amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
Honda Car India reportedly plans to sell the fifth-gen Honda City alongside its predecessor in BS6 format. Even though it sounds strange, brands such as Hyundai, Tata Motors and Nissan have also carried out a similar product strategy in the past. To avoid confusion between either product, the new Honda City might carry an extra tag like Toyota Innova ‘Crysta’, Hyundai i20 ‘Elite’ or Hyundai ‘Grand’ i10.
The latest-gen Honda City made its debut in Thailand towards the end of November last year. A sportier-looking ‘RS Turbo’ version was also introduced alongside. Both models are powered by the same 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder engine that makes about 120bhp and 200Nm of torque. For the Thai market, it comes mated to a 7-step CVT. In a surprising turn of events, Honda Thailand had to recall the sedan as well.
The latest Honda City carries major improvements over the current model in terms of styling, equipment and safety. Hence, Honda Car India should ideally bring a significant price difference (Rs 50,000 on an average) if either model is sold side-by-side. The BS6 Honda City (available only in petrol format) was launched in January at a starting price of Rs 9.91 lakh ex-showroom.
As expected, both the new and old Honda City sedans will be powered by the same engine. In BS6 format, the 1.5-litre i-VTEC NA petrol four-cylinder motor makes 119bhp and 150Nm while mated to either a 5-speed manual or 7-step CVT. At a later stage, Honda Car India might reintroduce the proven 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel mill in BS6 format. In the previous BS4 state, it made 99bhp and 200Nm alongside a 6-speed manual transmission.
For certain Asian markets, the latest-gen Honda City will soon arrive in a hatchback avatar. Meanwhile, the Indian market should receive the updated BS6 Honda Jazz in about a month’s time.