Monday, February 23, 2009

Honda City - Launched in Malaysia, Rear-view

In the City's fifth generation, Honda has come up with yet another winner!

Overall, I have to say that Honda's design and imagination trumps Toyota in all the key classes, City v Vios, Civic v Altis and Accord v Camry!
Honda Accord 2.4 VTI-L Modulo Test Drive
Honda Civic 1.8S close-up



Ooops, thanks to Jeff for pointing out that my information below was for the PREVIOUS generation Honda City!
Honda City 1.5L i-DSI
SOHC, 4 cylinders, 8 valve water cooler / 1496cc
Max Power: 88 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Transmission: CTV (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Price: RM $79,800 (OTR)
Or get the higher-specced Honda City 1.5L VTEC (A) @ RM $84,800


Here's the latest reincarnation of the City, prices are valid for Peninsular Malaysia as derived from Honda.com.my

Engine Type: 4 Cylinders, 16 Valve, SOHC i-VTEC
Fuel Supply System: PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection)
Displacement (cc): 1,497
Maximum Horsepower [PS(Kw) @ rpm]: 120 (88) @ 6,600
Maximum Torque [Nm (kg•m) @ rpm]: 145 (14.8) @ 4,800

Grade S
OTR with Insurance: RM$ 84,980

Grade E
OTR with Insurance: RM$ 89,980

From what I could derive, the Grade E or higher-spec City has extra goodies with no additional performance (Paultan.org and Honda.com.my):
The high spec car’s paddle shifts are easy to work and just plain works, but this isn’t a quick shifting DSG box so there is a noticeable lag between you pressing the paddle shift and the gearbox actually doing something. If you engage paddle shift mode in the S mode, you will be in the M mode which means the gearbox will not shift even if you go past the redline, after of which the revcut will kick in and prevent you from over-revving the engine. The gearbox will also never downshift on command if it detects that the engine will be over-reved on a downshift.

Other key cosmetic differences:
Fog Light
Door Mirror with Turn Light
Exhaust Pipe Finisher
Alloy wheels (16" instead of the Grade S' 15")

ps - Here's the "controversial Optimus Prime styling" on the front of the City, I think it's good! Photo courtesy of Paultan.org

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Julian,

The Honda City specification you have given is for the older generation. The latest generation of Honda City has only i-VTec version and no more I-DSI as what you described.

Julian Si said...

Thanks Jeff, I am just about to re-write the information!

Much appreciated :-)