Honda unveiled the all new 7th gen City sedan in November; call it 5th gen if you disregard the first two generations produced as hatchbacks during the 1980s. Although we have seen official images as well as coverage from the debut of the new sedan and it was later displayed at the 2019 Thai Motor Expo as well. However this is the first time that the City is being witnessed out in the open, courtesy folks at HeadLightMag.
Related: All New 2020 Honda City Debuts in Thailand
According to Honda, the response from public is overwhelming. Within just 20 days, the company had garnered more than 4,500 bookings of the all new City. Among which 45% of the bookings were made for the SV version, whereas 40% of cars booked were top-spec RS version. The remaining 15% bookings were made for the base S and V models. Those who have the SV and RS models booked will reportedly get the deliveries by March 2020.
Recently Honda invited a selected group of journalists to inspect the all new City at Honda R&D Proving Ground at Rojana 2 Industrial Estate, Prachin Buri Central Thailand, where Chief Engineer of New Honda City Project Development Mr Satoru Azumi, Assistant Engineer of New City Development Mr. Keiichi Watanabe and Project Leader Propulsion & Driving Performance Mr. Shingo Oogaya were there to brief about the all new 2020 Honda City.
Dimensions
In terms of dimensions the new City measures 4,553 mm long, 1,748 mm wide, 1,467 mm high, & has a wheelbase of 2,589 mm. Fuel tank capacity is 40 liters. The empty weight of the S and V models is 1,150 kilograms, while the SV weighs 1,154 kg and the RS is 1,165 kg.
Related: 7 Things You Need to Know About All New 2020 Honda City
Compared to the out-gone model, which was 4,440 mm long, 1,695 mm wide, 1,471 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm, the new model is 113 mm longer, 53 mm wider but 4 mm shorter, whereas the wheelbase is 11 mm shorter than the previous City.
If compared to the Toyota Yaris (which IMC is in process of introducing in Pakistan), which is 4,425 mm long, 1,730 mm wide, 1,475 mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,550 mm. The new 2020 City is longer than 128 mm, wider than 18 mm, shorter than 8 mm, whereas the wheelbase is longer than 39 mm than that of Yaris.
Although the City is longer than its previous model as well as any other car in its class in Thailand including Mazda 2 sedan, Nissan Almera and Mitsubishi Attrage, it is in fact even larger than the 7th gen Civic which was produced between 2001 and 2005.
The Design
According to Mr. Satoru Azumi the main idea of developing the new City is an “Ambitious Sedan”. The overall design concept is a combination of Strength and Space. The exterior has been designed under the concept of Standing on the Edge, emphasizing sharpness. Enhance the personality as a 3-Box style car with a longer front overhang.
Related: All New Honda City Displayed at 2019 Thai Motor Expo
In addition, the design guidelines for wide & low form body designs from siblings like Civic (FC) and Accord (G10) are also being used, with the car’s height reduced to 4 mm. The width is increased by 53 mm and the body length is increased by 113 mm.
Solid Wing grille is still used in the new City, but it gets wider and positioned slightly lower. The S, V and SV models will have a chrome grille while the RS model gets a shiny Piano Black grille with RS emblem on the left. The headlights of the S, V, and SV models are halogen projector lenses, while the RS gets full-LED, including low beam, high beam, turn signal and front fog lights as well as Daytime Running Lights.
Towards the sides, the distinct character line now originates from the top of the headlamps, and progresses above the door handles rather than below them. Door handles of the S, V and RS models are body colored, while the SV model gets chrome plated ones. Every model (except the base S version) has side mirrors with built-in turning signals which can be adjusted and folded electrically. The side mirror covers in the S, V and SV models are body colored, while the RS has black. The side turning lights of the S model are located above the front wheel arch.
Related: 2020 Honda City Modulo Accessories Revealed
Position of the side mirrors on the new City has also changed. Previously they were installed on the A-pillar post, however now they have been moved to the door to help reduce blind spots on either sides. There is a body colored shark fin antenna however the RS gets a glossy gloss black. At the rear, the slimmer two-piece taillights boast a U-shaped light signature & redesigned bumpers with vertically positioned reflectors. The RS version gets a glossy black rear spoiler and RS emblem.
The wheels are different in each model. The base S model gets 15” steel wheels with 185/60 R15 Maxxis MA-P3 tires, while the V and SV models gets 15” polished 20-spoke alloy wheels also fitted with 185/60 R15 Maxxis MA-P3 tires. The RS model gets 16” alloy wheels with 15-spoke pattern, wrapped in 185/55 R16 Yokohama BlueEarth-A tires.
The based S model gets simple key with a trunk release switch and a lock. The V, SV and RS models get Honda Smart Key System. In addition, all models have Auto Door Lock by Speed, Immobilizer and One Push Ignition System as standard.
Inside
The instrument panel and gauge set are designed under the Ambitious Beauty concept, emphasizing simplicity and sophistication. The gauge set is of 2 circles– the left being speedometer while the right side is tachometer. The middle part is a MID (Multi-Information Display) driving screen with an economy indicator light. The circular and needle frame in the V and SV models are white, while the RS version glows red, whereas the base S model is normal.
The front console decoration in the SV model is soft-lined with ivory white leather, decorated with Piano Black materials, while the RS version is soft-lined with black leather. However, the S and V models are still plastic bite pattern.
Related: 10th Gen Honda Accord Scores 5 Stars in ASEAN NCAP Crash Tests
The 3-spoke multi-function steering can be adjusted in 4 directions (telescopic/ tilt) in all models. The S and V models get a polyurethane steering wheel, the SV version is covered in black leather while that of RS is covered in black leather with red stitching.
The air conditioner in S model is normal with a hand crank switch. V, SV and RS models have automatic air conditioners with a digital display screen. Stereo systems in the S and V models have an FM / AM radio set that can connect to a Bluetooth cordless phone with 1 USB connector and 4 speakers installed. The SV and RS models get an FM / AM radio set but have an upgrade to Advanced Touch, with an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay support, Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity, Smartphone and Voice command system support. The Siri voice with 2 USB connectors in the SV model has 4 speakers, while the RS model has 8 speakers. The Multi-angle Rearview Camera is only available for SV and RS models.
Related: 2019 Honda Brio Becomes the Most Fuel Efficient Car in Indonesia
In addition, RS models are equipped with Honda Connect system, which has the following main functions:
- My Service Check service history. Next service alert
- Airbag Deployment provides initial assistance when the air bag is working
- Driving Behavior and travel log
- Security Alarm alert when something goes wrong with the car
- Wifi connection to the wireless internet from the car
- Remote Vehicle Control to operate the car. Lock – Unlock the engine. And turn on the lights
- Geo Fence & Speed Alert determines driving boundaries and speed alerts
- Find My Car displays car coordinates on the application
The ingress and egress has also been made convenient thanks to wider front and back doors that allow getting in and out of the car a lot easier than previous models. The seats have also been improved while there is ample space (headroom and legroom) for front as well as rear passengers.
The Engine
For the first time Honda City gets a downsized turbocharged engine specifically to comply with Thailand’s Eco Car Phase 2 regulations. The 1.0 liter (998cc) P10A2 three-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 122hp and 173Nm of torque and comes mated to a 7-speed CVT gearbox. Other specifications include an Idling Stop System, a dual Variable Valve Timing Control (VTC) and Variable Valve Timing & Lift Electronic Control (VTEC). The engine complies with Euro-V emission standards. For 0-100 lovers, this tiny engine can take you to three figures in less than 10.4 seconds.
Safety and driving assistance systems include:
- Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist (BA)
- System Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
- Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) Emergency Stop Signal
- Hill Start Assist System
- 4 airbags S, V and SV models
- 6 airbags RS model
- G-Force Control body structure
Overall Honda has worked really hard to improve the new City and maintain the heritage of a car that is considered as the most popular model in the region. The 2020 Honda City is spacious, rich in safety & configurations, drives well, goes fast, handles better and brakes efficiently. Although Thailand gets 1.0 liter turbo as the only engine option, for other markets however there will be a 1.5 liter hybrid as well as a diesel engine on offer.
Related: Local Honda City Becomes 2 Generations Old
The introduction of all new City has made the local assembled Honda City two generations behind the global model. The City we have here was launched back in January 2009 and is about to enter its 12th year of production in Pakistan. We will have to wait to see when Honda Atlas decides to bid farewell to the 5th gen City which already got retired elsewhere in 2014.
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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