New Honda City Facelift

Source : Malaysia Motor Trader

August 27, 2007 03:00 PM Author: Chips Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd has enhanced the Honda City, offering what it claims to be class-leading performance and comfort coupled with a host of practical features. Besides sporting a new honeycomb grille, the latest City’s exterior has been enhanced with new features such as glass antenna, side mirror turn lights, redesigned rear lights and body-coloured mud guards.

The enhanced City is also equipped with seats wrapped with special seat covers that repel water, preventing stains from forming - no more worries of cushion cleaning should the unexpected spills happen along the way!

Other everyday conveniences include the Ultra Seat capability which offers interior spacious versatility and it is now also available for the VTEC version. With foldable rear seats and three different modes to choose from, the Ultra Seat allows maximum use of space in storing items from the longest to the widest as well as tall items. This complements the spacious 500-litres (VDA method) of boot space, thanks to the central fuel tank layout.

The 1.5-litre SOHC i-DSI engine is a lightweight, compact, high performance engine that delivers generous power and torque at any rpm range. It uses an intensive combustion process to achieve a combination of ultra-high fuel efficiency of up to 26.2 kms per litre while emissions remain clean The fuel efficiency of the engine was proven at the Fuel Efficiency Automobile Test (F.E.A.T), conducted by Honda Malaysia and verified by Automobile Association of Malaysia (AAM).

Both the City VTEC & i-DSI versions come with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic transmission for a brisk and effortless acceleration. At the same time, parking is a breeze with its Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system.

The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) version comes with a unique 7-speed Steermatic mode for the pleasure of shifting gears manually with your fingertips from the steering wheel. The 110 PS 1.5-litre, 16-valve SOHC VTEC engine combines drivability in everyday situations with outright performance, which offers optimal performance and delivering high power curves while maintaining fuel economy.

According to Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director/CEO, Atsushi Fujimoto, the Honda City’s appeal lies in its combination of the best of practicality and performance. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our products based on our customers’ feedback in order to achieve better customer satisfaction. This enhanced Honda City is made to be versatile, so that our customers can express their own personal style in their Honda City,” said Mr. Fujimoto.

The first generation Honda City was introduced to major Asian markets in the mid-1990s and its entry into the market at that time set the benchmark for all subsequent entrants into the new Sub-Compact sedan category. The second-generation City was launched in Malaysia in April 2003, followed by the more powerful VTEC version in July 2004.The current City was launched in October 2005 and close to 23,000 units have been sold in Malaysia to date.

Incidentally, the City is also exported from the Honda plant in Thailand to Japan where it is sold as the Honda Fit Aria, a sedan version of the popular Fit (Jazz) model. The fact that it is made in Thailand and accepted for sale in Japan reflects on the high quality standards that Honda sets for all its plants around the world.

Available from authorized Honda dealers from today, the enhanced City, available in Sparkle Grey, Bluish Silver, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Nighthawk Black Pearl and Satellite Silver Metallic, retails for RM85,800 for the City VTEC and RM79,800 for the City i-DSI (prices inclusive of insurance and roadtax in Peninsula Malaysia).