Honda's iconic Honda City makes history in India
The Japanese car manufacturer Honda Cars India Ltd's iconic midsize sedan Honda City'' has completed 25 years in the country. Honda City, a model that has been the bedrock of the company's sales in India, started its journey in 1998 and is now in its fifth-generation avatar. The sedan is the longest-running model in Indian automotive history.
According to Takuya Tsumura, President & CEO of Honda Cars India Limited, Honda City's Silver Jubilee celebrations are being organised across our pan-India dealer network of 330 facilities in 242 cities, and we are taking this opportunity to engage with our consumers and Honda City fans. A communication campaign around this special milestone will be promoted extensively on social and digital mediums. India, which is the largest and most important market for the Honda sedan, currently accounts for more than 28 per cent of the car's sales in Honda's Asia Oceania region. The Honda City series' cumulative sales are 4.5 million units globally. In order to mark the beginning of Honda's electrification journey in India, the company launched the Honda City e: HEV in 2022.
In 2020, we introduced Honda City e: HEV as India's first mainstream model with Strong Hybrid Electric Technology. This model will play a key role in Honda's electrified vehicle plans in the country going forward, Tsumura said.
Honda's mid-size sedan City is in its fifth generation now and each of these generations has enjoyed its run in the Indian market:
The first-gen Honda City was the Japanese carmaker's entry into India and sold in the country between 1998 and 2003. It was based on the sixth-generation Honda Civic FERIO and used a VTEC Hyper 16 valve engine that produced a 106 hp of peak power in the first-gen City. It was introduced with 1.3 and 1.5 litre petrol engine options.
The Honda City, known as the 'Dolphin' City in car enthusiast circles, was designed on the Honda Jazz platform, with the fuel tank at the centre of the car, known as the 'Centre tank layout. It was a huge departure from its predecessor in terms of driving dynamics and styling.
The second-generation model was more spacious, comfortable and fuel-efficient due to this innovation. It also had a new 1.5 L i-DSI or Intelligent Dual Sequential Ignition engine that offered 77 hp. The introduction of a CVT variant was a first for any car in India. It was equipped with ABS.
The third generation City was launched with a completely new sleek look, a new 1.5 L i-VTEC engine and a spacious cabin. It lacked a diesel engine option. It also offered safety features like Dual Front Airbags and ABS with EBD as standard in all variants.
The Honda City's fourth generation was launched in 2014, with the option of a 1.5 L i-DTEC diesel engine, along with the 1.5 L i-VTEC petrol engine. The sedan was more spacious and far better equipped than any of its predecessors. This version was also the best selling city during its period.
The fifth generation of Honda City was introduced in July 2020 and took a huge leap in connected car services as standard. It was the first car in the country to feature Alexa Remote Capability.
The newest edition also receives a strong hybrid system in the City e: HEV. It has a two-motor e-CVT hybrid system connected to a 1.5 litre Atkinson-Cycle DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine, an Intelligent Power Unit IPU with Lithium-ion Battery and an engine linked direct coupling Clutch.
The Honda Connect features will be included in the new City e: HEV, along with the company's advanced intelligent safety technology Honda SENSING for the first time in India.