Team-BHP
(
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)
ELECTRICITY!!!
April 1998.
A star is born.
A car that promises to become every enthusiast's dream come true.
A car that Indian enthusiasts wanted but was never given, until now.
A car that chewed all the other available Indian cars and spat out of its exhaust.
Like Father.
Like Son.
Gem of an engine. Jewel of the car.
Soulmates.
Makes perfect sense. Unbelievable.
Low slung driving position.
Scalpel sharp handling.
Sleek styling.
India's first driver's car.
Its often said that leaders don't do different things, they do things differently. They think differently, work differently and enjoy life differently, and they defy logic, which is what exactly this car does.
Actually it takes a whole bunch of words to describe this legend, which stands true, even till today. When launched, it was well ahead of its time. And it marked an entry of one of the biggest conglomerates in India, one that gained respect in terms of providing reliable, durable, high quality precision engineered automobiles at affordable prices.
A solid reputation and goodwill earned by thousands of NRIs, who owned and imported back the company's products to our homeland.
A company that shocked he world by launching the New Sports Xperimental, the car that made the world notice the fabulous engineering skills of a legend named Soichiro and his team, and sent car makers owned by Enzo, Ferruchio and Ferdinand into a tizzy.
All that DNA, carried forward into an affordable made-for-Asia 3 box. And made hyper waves in the Indian car market.
1.3 LXI
1.3 EXI
1.5 EXI
1.5 EXI-S
1.5 EXI-AT
5 Variants, different price points, one for every enthusiast, and one for every car lover who wants a "car with a soul".
It goes on to become team-bhp's favourite car ever, in the minds of owners and enthusiasts alike.
But to really understand what really goes into launching a product like this, one that's targeted solely at enthusiasts and young audience, it requires a lot of brain storming research.
And what better way to go back and study its glorious past?
But to go into the past, it requires a time gap to bring out the best from your think tank to pen down this live.
And that gap will take about 11 hours from now. Meanwhile its time to enjoy your challenges because the race lies within....
I am still a big fan of the OHC Vtec...!
Should be truly nostalgic write up with this one.... bring it on mate :)
I still remember the time when it was launched. It soon became everyone's desired car. The 2nd generation has been one of the best sellers (and fastest seller?) in the entire Honda lineup I guess.
A great car of it's time. Overrated, IMHO. Highly overrated.
Excellent write-up there Sid. The OHC VTEC was/is truly an enthusiast's car.
The city never sleeps and sidindica to never sleeps keep writing articles like these clap:
It took me a minute to realise ' The City never sleeps ' I was thinking what is Sid writing now in the Indian Scene Section !!
Now I get it :)
Yes, the Honda City is truly a great car, after winning hearts all over the world it hit India and suddenly Indians started shelling out close to a million bucks for this car. The Vtec was a dream and the twin silencer was every young 20's something dream to drive and the envy for many car owners.
The Indian market at that time had the Cielo, Astra, esteem and none of these cars came close to the City.
I have personaly never owned a Honda ever BUT have always thought they are wonderful trouble free cars except the fact they are overpriced and under equipped / loaded when compared to the competetion.
The latest ANHC is an excellent car and my next car if not the Altis :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by frankmehta
(Post 1623539)
A great car of it's time. Overrated, IMHO. Highly overrated.
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That's an oxymoron.
Aaaaaaaanyway, this thread won't end well. I shall take great pleasure reading it and giggling at the inevitable battle it will become. :uncontrol
No no. I don't mean I hate the car. Since this is a tribute thread I won't want to hurt the people who love it truly. The engine (1.5) was/is an ABSOLUTE gem. Just that the entire package didn't augur too well with people who wanted the 'complete' car.
Quote:
Originally Posted by frankmehta
(Post 1623578)
Just that the entire package didn't augur too well with people who wanted the 'complete' car.
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A great car is not about being a jack of all trades. For me, a car will become legendary if it is a master of one. And the City was the best driver's car by several country miles. That's why its a legend.
Great writeup Sid, Honda City or OHC was always my favorite car, the Engines were a dream. I am not only talking about only VTEC but other 1.3 and 1.5 engines just loved to be revved, were powerful and still offered excellent FE. I just loved the low seating. Amazing car.
Hmm. Looks like it's Honda retro time at tbhp. :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by sidindica Low slung driving position. Scalpel sharp handling.
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Almost all sedans in that peer group of that time had the low-slung driving position.
1998 - was new in new delhi..pursuing 11th standard from a public school, and those were the glorious times of the Astra/Cielos/Escorts/City.. the Astra/City were good looking cars that time, and always had this fascination of driving one (what else can 19 years old boy think apart from babes!).. I learnt driving when I was in 7th standard, and that too, an ambassador mrk IV, then a Jeep, Gypsy (one of the good thing of being a cop's son).. so modern cars that time, like the Astra/City were a real treat to the eyes.. would usually glued on them most of the time from the school bus, rickshaws, balcony etc, admiring the beauty of lines, body.... Wished I/family had owned one that time!!!...but no ill feelings of life..after 10 years, got to own its big brother.. the civic... ripping it to the fullest and hopefully, would be a good companion to get into 30's and married life.. and then way in the future in 2019 on another thread (provided I survive 2012 :) ), we will again discuss the days of the Civics/Cruzes.. :uncontrol ... life is a clock.. enjoy your other other half (25% - your car), for in time, it would age too, but its legend will live on! Cheers
That was a very nice writeup. A good way to build up to emphasize on the subject of discussion. Coming back to the subject, OHC was treat to my Eyes during those days. I was pursuing 11th to 12 standard and used to drool on the OHCs and the Astras since they were the most good looking non-indian ones at that time.
Strangely enough, when OHC was around, I was more smitten by Astra. Of course those days i could afford neither, it was more of a drool stuff.
But more than any of this - i loved the Lancer at that time. It was a beautiful car, its sad to see Mitsu falling apart - in India and around the world like this.
Nice write-up, Sid!
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