[Chetan_Rao]

Are we talking of the same Honda that perennially under-equipped the Jazz in India to prevent crossover from its City customer base?

A fully-loaded 1.5 Petrol Jazz Automatic priced reasonably would've had them selling these hand-over-fist in urban markets. People readily pay 11.xx lacs for a GT TSi, so there's definitely a market for that kind of car.

Wishful thinking aside, we know what actually happened. The sedan segments are shrinking as a whole in India, and Honda have nothing on sale yet in the C-SUV segments (broadly 10-25 lac range) replacing them.

[deetjohn]

Brilliant! I would love to pick one up if it drives well! But will it really happen here??

The stupid small car rule and the general stigma against well equipped hatchbacks won't make it see light of the day I think.

There is no point in really launching this here with that anemic 1.2 liter either. This one has to get the 1.5 or something better!

Honda India doesn't have the cojones! Their current line-up is a prime evidence for that. They couldn't even get that WRV with the 1.5 AT yet - I do see some easy volumes there! So, this is a bit far fetched!

[rahulcmoulee]

If it wasn't for the sub-4m rule, I'm sure we'd see this and so many other great hatchbacks available globally like the new Polo, Golf, Focus etc., make their way here. I really like the way it looks and knowing Honda, it will be immensely practical and will be good to drive too.
Unfortunately, I doubt this will see the light of day here. Honda really needs a SUV to compete with the likes of the Creta and Seltos to revive the brand in India. They are currently being carried by thr City and Amaze and with sedans dying a slow death, they need to act on it ASAP.

[CEF_Beasts]

The rear of the City Hatchback reminds me of the A Class in a lot of ways the raked rear windscreen and those taillights! The new gen City has a G20 3 series like rear and the City hatchback that of the A-Class.

[sunnsood]

I believe Honda should bring it to India in current form rather then as Jazz replacement. Give more choices to people who walk in to your showroom. I will definitely pick this up as a replacement for jazz 2010 if it comes in with 1.5l hybrid engine and 4.3m length.

But then we all said the same for HRV and we all know where that one is.

[volkman10]

Comparisons of Jazz, City and the City Hatchback.

While it is clear in ASEAN countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia the City Hatchback will replace the Jazz as an alternate.

India is not expected to get this Hatchback as Honda will concentrate in SUV's in this price and segment.

The fourth generation Honda Jazz however, will skip markets in the South East Asian ASEAN trade bloc, and is only limited to Japan, Europe, and China. Introduction in the US is still yet to be announced.

Malaysian market City Hatchback will certainly be sharing the City sedan's 1.5-litre DOHC naturally aspirated engine, and maybe the 1.5-litre i-MMD full-hybrid too.

Link

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Instead of selling the 4th generation City alongside the 5th, Honda should slot this hatchback there! Was too much asking price for a hatchback earlier, but now it has the i20 1.0 TGDi DCT for company.

Originally Posted by volkman10

India is not expected to get this Hatchback as Honda will concentrate in SUV's in this price and segment.

Hope they are not talking of the WRV!

[PrasannaDhana]

Is it just me or does someone else got surprised to realise that the new city hatchback is a bit longer than the last gen city sedan (4440 mm) ?

[Stribog]

Originally Posted by rahulcmoulee

If it wasn't for the sub-4m rule, I'm sure we'd see this and so many other great hatchbacks available globally like the new Polo, Golf, Focus etc., make their way here. I really like the way it looks and knowing Honda, it will be immensely practical and will be good to drive too.
Unfortunately, I doubt this will see the light of day here. Honda really needs a SUV to compete with the likes of the Creta and Seltos to revive the brand in India. They are currently being carried by thr City and Amaze and with sedans dying a slow death, they need to act on it ASAP.

Blaming the sub 4mtr rule for anaemic performance by the likes of VAG, Honda and Toyota is putting the cart before the horse.

Look at how badly Honda treated Jazz, a more competent engine and auto gear box would have really turned it around for them.

Simply put, Honda and Toyota (VAG is finally trying something here) don't have the cojones or sheer inclination to innovate for and in the Indian market.

One look at their 2-3 car portfolio should be all the proof we need

[Hatari]

I dont think this will be a popular model in India. People will buy the Jazz or the sedan.
This will not have the price benefit over the sedan to make it value for money.

[TheVegabond]

We have such a price sensitive market that this car in this avtar will have little chance to succeed if launched here.

If Honda can make a crossover out of it, then the game will change. Given how Honda cars have proved to be practical and reliable, we will have a challenger for the Korean cousins.

P.S. Honda couldn't even bring the HRV to India.

[pseudo_coder]

Originally Posted by TheVegabond

We have such a price sensitive market that this car in this avtar will have little chance to succeed if launched here.

If Honda can make a crossover out of it, then the game will change. Given how Honda cars have proved to be practical and reliable, we will have a challenger for the Korean cousins.

P.S. Honda couldn't even bring the HRV to India.

I really like the current gen Honda City, and the only thing that prevents me from getting it is difficult ingress-egress for my parents. So the city hatch would be perfect for me. At 4 meter, the Jazz is very spacious inside. The amount of space they must have carved out of 4.4m in hatchback form would find its takers, I believe.

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by pseudo_coder

I really like the current gen Honda City, and the only thing that prevents me from getting it is difficult ingress-egress for my parents. So the city hatch would be perfect for me. At 4 meter, the Jazz is very spacious inside. The amount of space they must have carved out of 4.4m in hatchback form would find its takers, I believe.

Erm....Guess the ingress/egress would stay the same as the City.
It's just the City minus the boot (looking at it, there isn't much length difference either)

The design philosophy of the Jazz is way different, and hence space maximization would be extreme.

The City hatch will have the same space of the City, no doubt. But, will have the same layout/seat height as well.
No ease of ingress/egress over the sedan.

[TheVegabond]

Originally Posted by DicKy

Erm....Guess the ingress/egress would stay the same as the City.
It's just the City minus the boot (looking at it, there isn't much length difference either)

The design philosophy of the Jazz is way different, and hence space maximization would be extreme.

The City hatch will have the same space of the City, no doubt. But, will have the same layout/seat height as well.
No ease of ingress/egress over the sedan.

Agreed.

If at all Honda is looking to bring the City hatch to India, they must add something that the Jazz doesn't have (peppy engine). This might be taken care by the turbo petrol engine.

And when it comes to the existing City, they must differentiate in some way. It could be a little higher off the ground, which brings the crossover in the picture.

[volkman10]

More pics of the City Hatchback,

































Link

Link1