[Geta]

It was just an unveil event, that too a virtual one. Got fooled by the thread title. What a waste of time.

[Shreyans_Jain]

Originally Posted by BoneCollector

26.5 kmpl is the efficiency figure claimed by Honda. I was expecting more. Plus most driving on highways in India would be between 80kmph and 120kmph meaning that it stays in engine mode only.

The benefit of the hybrid system is felt most in city traffic, where it runs primarily on the battery. Going by Thai forums, you can actually expect about the claimed economy figure in city driving. Compare that with the 1.5 iVTEC, which will average 12-14kmpl in similar conditions.

In highway conditions, the difference in efficiency will be much less, and will be basically because of the inherently more efficient Atkinson cycle. On the flip side, do not expect the thrills and 7000rpm shenanigans of the 1.5.

[porsche_guy]

What a poor show! I don't even know if we can call this an "unveil" since they did not even bring a real car, instead using a digital render. What was the point of this stunt then?

They could just have launched it in May anyways and it would make no difference.

[alenp07]

Honda did a fair job with unveiling which was way better than static unveils, camouflaged drives, media static unveil, media drives and then finally test drive

In another 2 weeks, we can expect the price and got to see the actual product which is certainly a good thing for end the customers.

It was good to see Honda is focusing more on electrification, sustainably and safety in the Indian context. This strategy can distinguish Honda from other brands. I hope that Honda will price it right.

Also, the website is up with all the required information. You can check it out here

[giri1.8]

Any difference in ground clearance? Hope it doesn't get reduced further!

[Carma2017]

I am very impressed by the car. In a way if EVs are the future for India (which I doubt as we are changing our dependency from oil to rare earth material where China has a veritable lead over the entire world), then hybrids should have been our present. The very tendency of the government to take quantum leaps from BS IV to BS VI, from IC straight to EVs is simply ignoring the evolution process. Technology, automotive ancillaries and support system need to grow and catch up before we move on to next technology. We did not become humans overnight. It was a process. Sorry for being off topic.
Coming back to the City, I think the car has a lot of decent technologies which are practical and is the need of the hour. I just hope the pick up is better for Indian version compared to the one Autocar reviewed.

[stringbh]

Originally Posted by porsche_guy

What a poor show! I don't even know if we can call this an "unveil" since they did not even bring a real car, instead using a digital render. What was the point of this stunt then?

That being said, still better than the VW Virtus unveil recently with disco lights, which did not even allow us to see real colour of the car on display.

[RedMaw]

I am guessing all the short comings of regular city is still present. Like lower GC, poor noise insulation, outdated camera and media center, average sound system and no ventilated seats. So in addition to this, we now have lower boot space and have to pay couple of lakhs extra. How much one has to drive to recoup the extra amount spent compared to regular City? Honda should have bough Civic hybrid or HRV instead of this..

[dazdandconfuzd]

The e-HEV webpage is finally active now. And it looks like we won't be getting any hybrid exclusive colours. Was really hoping to get that blue shade found on the RS in ASEAN markets!

[alenp07]

Originally Posted by LordSpymaster

Have they declared the prices officially? And any word on the confirmed boot space & spare tyre / repair kit?

There is a spare tyre and it seems to be space saver. It is mentioned in the brochure as a "compact spare tyre". You can see the details in the screenshot below:



Unfortunately, there is no mention of ground clearance or boot space.

The brochure is also attached below:

[CR07]

I feel your analysis seems to be incorrect on multiple fronts. Let me try to explain-

Originally Posted by Axe77

It’s premature at this point given I’ve neither seen nor driven the car but from the little I have read on the City performance as well as reduced boot space (further limited by space saver), I would think this makes (mostly) a good city car and not a long distance touring companion.

How much large or tiny is a 350L boot really? (assuming the boot would be 350L, with a space saver). In my case we have been a 3/4 member family till date and have had multiple highway round trips, each upwards of atleast 600 KMs. With the cars that we have had till date- Chevy UVA, Honda Amaze and the current steads- Ford Ecosport and Kia Sonet, the boot space has never been an issue. For comparison the 352 L boot space has easily gobbled up the luggage for 4 people on the highway trips. It was also able to do the same for the occasional 5th passenger. PS- We don't travel light!

That aside, there are many types of families where the owners won't mind putting the luggage on the rear seat. These might include- A married couple, A couple with a kid, three large adults etc. I am fairly confident that a 350L boot space would be sufficient for luggage of such families, even in rare cases there's more luggage, 90% of families won't mind putting a bag or two beside them on the rear seat.

Originally Posted by Axe77

If the motivation for people who pick this is running economy, multi-car households ought seriously consider an MG ZS EV / Nexon EV instead of this variant of the City. Barring perhaps a better back seat experience in the City, the Nexon / MG would be peppier to drive, MUCH more cost efficient in cost per kms and would be comparably usable on boot space for long trips within a 200 km range. They would also have the advantage of slightly better ground clearance than the City HEV.

The ZS EVs top variant costs 27L OTR Pune. Assuming Honda prices City eHev at about 17-18L ex showroom, there's a healthy 5-6L price difference between the ZS and City. With about a 80% lesser running cost for a EV, I feel the 5-6L price difference is too much to break even, especially since you are considering the only in city usage.

Your point makes more sense for a Nexon EV though, considering scenario for only a in-city user.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by LordSpymaster

Have they declared the prices officially? And any word on the confirmed boot space & spare tyre / repair kit?

Price reveal in May. And here are the contents in the basic Kit.

[DieselAddikt]

"Unveiled" in April, price to be revealed in May. To start delivery in June ? What is this ? A spaceship ? Or the first Hybrid in the world or something ? Isn't it is just a Honda City ? These manufacturers are losing it these days. It looks like everyone thinks their car is "exclusive" for some reason. I can only laugh at this strategy.

[lina]

Why cant Honda put this power train in an SUV body? You can create the greatest sedan in the world and you will still not find enough takers for it. Kit up the WRV and put this there or create a baby CRV and sell it. This wont cut it Honda

[cule1899_bhp]

Very practical from Honda. Putting more tech for efficiency & safety to an already safe and successful car without going for unnecessary bling, helps contain costs in what is already a ridiculous market. Every feature added in this brings something meaningful to the table unlike numbers that lie and parts that fall off when the car is taken on roads. Hope Honda comes up with more products regularly. The words of the Honda's new chief are very much welcome.