Honda has been trying to get the hybrid version of the City to our shores for a long time but this time, it might finally happen. The hybrid powertrain is the ideal technology to bridge the gap between IC engines to electric powertrains.
The foreign media has reviewed the India-bound Honda City Hybrid that will make its local debut on April 14. The transition from traditional IC engine-powered vehicles to electric cars goes through the route of hybrid powertrains. Honda is famous for its innovative engine technology to meet all sorts of demands. For this hybrid version, Honda has come up with a unique arrangement that resembles electric cars rather than traditional cars with hybrid elements. Here are the details of this new City with an i-MMD engine (Multi Mode Drive).
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Honda City Hybrid Review
The exterior design of this version of the City remains almost identical to the one being currently sold in India. The front has sleek LED headlamps with LED DRLs, a sculpted bonnet line, compact fog lamp housing, stylish alloy wheels, shark fin antenna, sharp LED taillamps, etc. The interiors are finished in black theme with high-quality materials, features like Wireless Smartphone Charging, Connectivity Features, Red Stitching on Black Upholstery to give it a sporty outlook, multiple layers on the dashboard, steering mounted control, part-digital instrument cluster and much more.
Specs
The City Hybrid comes with a 1.5-litre engine using Atkinson Cycle that makes 98 PS and 127 Nm of peak power and torque and two electric motors for an output of 109 PS and 253 Nm. One motor acts as Motor Generator Unit (MGU) that is connected to the engine. The larger motor is what propels the car into motion. There are three modes that are chosen automatic by the electronics of the car. These are Electric Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive. The engine drive is used only during highway cruises with a 1-speed gear ratio. For other times, it charges the Lithium-Ion battery pack. But the pure electric driving range is a mere 2 km. The hybrid mode squeezes out an impressive mileage figure of around 26 km/l in the testing by the reviewer.
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The price of this version in Malaysia is RM106k which is equivalent to around Rs 20 lakh in the Indian currency. This would definitely be expensive if it makes it to India and Honda might have to chalk out a strategy to remedy that.
