Last January 7 at the Activity Center of the Glorietta in Makati, Honda Cars Philippines (HCPI) welcomed 2009 by changing the rules with its highly anticipated model, the all-new Honda City. The introduction of the 3rd Generation City, along with the highly-successful new Jazz, Civic, Accord and CR-V models, indicated HCPI’s goal to once again dominate the passenger car segment of the local automotive market.
No less than the top brass of Honda – Takashi Nagai, the executive vice president of Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and operating officer of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Japan, and Takeshi Nakamura, the Chief Engineer of Honda Research and Development (R&D) Center and project leader of the City – and the top brass of HCPI – president Hiroshi Shimizu and Voltaire Gonzales, the department head for sale operations – along with high-ranking representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Energy (DOE) were on hand to unveil the all-new Honda City before the VIP guests and members of the local motoring media.
Powerful Arrowshot Form Design
HCPI claims that the new City presents cutting-edge design and technologies that will set new standards in its class as well as refined and class-leading features that were once reserved for luxury cars. Engineer Nakamura and his team took inspiration from an “arrowshot” form that they saw in a movie and designed a concept around it, which bestowed the City with a sleek and powerful stance from any angle. A streamlined grille, harmonized with sharp headlights, smooth contours with rooflines that finish off to a higher rear deck and a 15-inch tire size all conspire to bring our the arrowshot form that Nakamura-san envisioned as the City’s sporty design.
In order to maintain its maneuverability, the new City retains its svelte and compact form despite the increase in interior space, which was realized by increasing the wheelbase. The spacious interior radiates a refreshing atmosphere with a careful selection of design and materials and complimented by a premium audio system with 4 high-powered 45-watt speakers compatible with iPod and other MP3 players via USB and AUX ports. The 1.5 E variant of the new City is equipped with an F1-inspired paddle shift to deliver the driving pleasure of a manual transmission, which enables manual shifting of gears of the 5-speed automatic transmission.
Completing Honda’s i-VTEC Line-up
The entry of the new City completes Honda’s all i-VTEC line-up. Sharing the same power plant as the Jazz, the City is equipped with an i-VTEC engine technology that delivers 120PS at 6600rpm (1.5-liter) and 100PS at 6000rpm (1.3-liter) for a powerful and torquey yet fuel efficient driving performance. Honda’s i-VTEC switches valve timing during start-up and acceleration then delays intake valve closure timing during cruising and other low-load conditions. The 5-speed automatic transmission reduces engine revolution and stress, which enhances fuel-efficient driving. The fuel economy and range indicators in the liquid crystal display of the instrument panel allow the driver to track fuel consumption and efficiency.
Taking cue from Honda’s fundamental values, Honda is ever committed in minimizing carbon footprint on the environment and in ensuring safety to every passenger. Just like any other Honda models, the new City conforms to EURO 4 level emission standards. In going beyond packaging and styling, G-CON body structure, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist all come standard in the new City. Meanwhile, dual SRS Airbags are available for 1.5 E and 1.3 S variants.
Changing the Rules
The all-new Honda City neatly merges modernism with practicality for the ultimate driving pleasure. More than the usual subcompact sedan, its overall sensational package changes the rules in its class, both in style and in performance. This new Honda sedan has made waves in neighboring Asian countries as it debuted in Thailand, India, Singapore, Indonesia, China and Malaysia and is intended to be one of Honda’s important global products, expanding beyond Asia and Oceania and advancing to the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
“Honda ushers 2009 by introducing a model that shall play a significant role not just in the local but international market as well. As a testimony of Honda’s confidence in local manufacturing operations and commitment to the Philippine government and Filipino people, the much anticipated City shall continue to be manufactured at our plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna,” said Shimizu-san.
The All-New Honda City comes in four variants: the 1.3 A MT with manual transmission at P676,000; 1.3 S MT at P716,000; 1.3 S AT at P756,000; and 1.5 E AT with automatic transmission at P806,000. It comes in a variety of colors such as Polished Metal (1.5 E only), Crystal Black, Habanero Red, Bold Beige, Bluish Silver (1.3 S and A) and Alabaster Silver (1.3 S and A). HCPI invites everyone to visit www.citychangetherules.com and www.hondaphil.com to fully appreciate the new benchmark in modern and sophisticated motoring. Rules are indeed bound to change with the All-New Honda City. We can’t wait to test drive one!