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By Brian Afuang
GONE are the clumsy proportion and awkward stance. Unlike the model
it replaces, the all-new Honda City—launched to the market by
Honda Cars Phils. Inc. (HCPI) on January 7—now sports fashionable
looks, the car flaunting adventurous but not over-the-top styling
cues that complement the technology it packs within. In this
third-generation model, the City recalls the formula of the original
car launched in 1996: class-leading features wrapped in a practical
and attractive package.
Redefining subcompacts
“Our goal was to provide higher value than
which is normally found in this segment,” said Takeshi Nakamura,
Honda R&D Co.’s large project leader for the City. “The
biggest challenge was to create distinguished styling and spacious
cabin while maintaining compact body size,” he continued.
Judging by appearances, Honda achieved its goal.
The new City wears what Honda calls “an arrowshot form design
concept,” which in plain language means the car has a low front
end, an aggressively swept-back windshield, a sloping roofline and a
high, truncated rear end. It’s easily identifiable as a Honda, the
latest City taking on many of the styling cues of its bigger and
pricier Civic sibling. Fact is, the City even gets the more
adventurous headlamp-and-grille treatment that the European-version
Civic sports.
“The new City presents cutting-edge design and
technologies that set new standards in its class. Bearing refined
and class-leading features that are once reserved for luxury
vehicles, the City neatly merges modernism with practicality for an
ultimate driving pleasure. It simply changes the rules on how
subcompacts should be like,” HCPI asserted in a statement.
Class-leading features
Apparently, some of the “class-leading
features” HCPI flaunts are the car’s 15-inch wheels, an audio
system that’s fitted with MP3 player with USB or AUX connectivity,
front airbags, halogen headlamps, keyless entry, immobilizer and
alarm, drive-by-wire throttle, electric power steering, disc brakes
on all four wheels that are governed by ABS and Electronic
Brake-force Distribution systems, and many others on the top
model—a paddle gear shifter included. The City also uses the
Civic’s steering wheel.
HCPI noted that the entry of the new City
completes its all-i-VTEC engine lineup. Sharing the same power
plants as those found on the Jazz hatchbacks, the City has either a
1.5-liter or 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine. The 1.5 makes 118 horsepower
at 6,600rpm and 145 Newton-meters of torque at 4,800rpm while the
1.3 is rated to make 98 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 128 Newton-meters
of torque at 4,800rpm.
Honda explained the i-VTEC system varies valve
timing depending on power requirements to ensure optimum performance
and fuel efficiency. To further enhance consumption, Honda offers a
five-speed automatic transmission that can be paired with either
engine. The carmaker stressed the five-speed gearbox lowers engine
revs and stress. (A five-speed manual is also available.)
To keep track of fuel use, a meter that computes
average and present consumption and estimates distance that could be
traveled with fuel load is available.
Honda said it remains committed in minimizing
carbon footprint on the environment. So, like all Honda models, the
new City conforms to Euro4 emission standards.
Proudly Philippine-made
“As a testimony to Honda’s confidence in
local manufacturing operations and commitment to the Philippine
government and Filipino people, the City shall continue to be
manufactured at our plant in Santa Rosa, Laguna,” said HCPI
President and General Manager Hiroshi Shimizu.
“The Filipino’s craftsmanship and
competitive skills have already been proven to live up to Honda’s
rigorous global standards,” Shimizu added.
Shimizu also expressed optimism regarding the
new City, saying, “Strong sales are expected to persist as
preference on fuel-efficient vehicles strengthens.”
Prices
Honda sells the 1.3-liter City in three
variants—the base model A MT (P676,000), the S MT (P716,000) and
the S AT (P756,000)—and a 1.5-liter model, the E AT, that’s
priced at P806,000. Addressing concerns regarding differentiation
among the models, HCPI Sales Operations Department Head Voltaire
Gonzales said Honda sales personnel have been well trained in
explaining the various models to customers, determining which
variant is best suited for them.
And with the new City’s vastly improved
styling, closing sales deals should not be a problem for Honda.
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