In the past year or so, speculations ran high as sources and reports suggested the arrival of Honda’s all-new vehicle. However, the Japanese automaker has now confirmed that it will unveil the City Hybrid on April 14th, 2022, in India. The long-awaited hybrid version of the City had a launch timeline set for 2021 but faced imminent delays due to the pandemic. This will also mark the carmaker’s first new model for the Indian market after it launched the facelifted 2021 Amaze.
Honda has already launched the City Hybrid in most Southeast Asian markets and currently sells it in Malaysia and Thailand. In terms of styling, the premium sedan matches the global-spec City RS, which features exclusive sporty details and highlights. Sources suggest that the upcoming India-spec City e:HEV will also showcase sportier front/rear bumpers with new black accents. Honda applies these accents on the front grille, ORVMs, and on the interior of the City e:HEV.
Honda India has also recently confirmed that the upcoming City Hybrid would feature Honda Sensing Technology in the Indian market. This technology essentially consists of Honda’s suite of active safety features that include lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. Other active safety systems reportedly include lane-keeping assist, auto high beam assist, emergency braking, and a front collision warning system. This will make the City Hybrid the only premium sedan on offer in the Indian market with ADAS features.
The upcoming City e:HEV will continue to use the 1.5-litre, DOHC i-VTEC, Atkinson cycle petrol engine. With a power output of 98 PS and 127 Nm, the naturally-aspirated engine will work alongside the twin electric motors. The first electric motor powers the front axle while the other acts as an Integrated Starter Generator System (ISG).
Therefore, the second electric motor helps provide assistance to the engine, which reduces loads and improves fuel efficiency. Overall, the electric motors work together to produce a combined output of 108 PS of power and 253 Nm of torque. The dual electric motors also allow the City e:HEV to run on electric-only power for short distances.
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