The latest offering from Japanese car maker Honda in the Indian market is a hybrid. The City e:HEV isn’t the first Honda hybrid in our country but is certainly the most technologically advanced as it gets a host of connectivity features apart from getting equipped with level 2 advanced driver assistance systems. It is based on the top ZX trim of the sedan and comes loaded with all the features. The car is the only hybrid in the segment and gets a self-charging and 2 motor electric hybrid system connected to a 1.5-litre Atkinson-Cycle DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine. Due to this Honda is promising a fuel efficiency of 26.5 kmpl which is the best in the segment by some distance.
EXTERIOR
The City e:HEV looks largely like the Petrol version of the car but there are subtle differences too. You get a signature blue H-mark logo in front and rear, new claw-type fog light garnish, an e:HEV emblem on the rear, new black painted diamond-cut alloy wheels, new trunk lip spoiler, and new rear bumper diffuser with carbon finish. Full LED headlamps with 9 array inline shell remain the same, and so do the Integrated LED DRLs, L shaped LED turn indicators and Z shaped 3D wrap around LED tail lamps. Just like the Petrol version, there are five colours to choose from on the City hybrid. These are radiant red metallic, platinum white pearl, meteoroid grey metallic, golden brown metallic and lunar silver metallic.
INTERIORS
The cabin of the City hybrid gets a new two-tone ivory & black interior colour theme. An Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold means that the centre console has been utilised more effectively for placing small items. The new 17.7 cm instrument cluster has been designed specifically for this hybrid and displays multi-information including e:HEV power flow meters along with various alerts and warnings. Then there’s the 20.3 cm touchscreen system that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The car also gets a one-touch electric sunroof, LED interior room lamps and ambient lighting. The New City e:HEV gets 37 Honda Connect features and it now also works with smartwatch devices in addition to already existing integration with Alexa and OK Google.
POWERTRAIN
The hybrid system on the car ensures a combined maximum power of 126 PS and gives a peak torque of 253 Nm @ 0 – 3,000 rpm. Due to the hybrid system, fuel efficiency is a highlight of the City hybrid. Honda is claiming 26.5 kmpl on the car which is around 40% more than the pure petrol version. The e:HEV system uses three driving modes – EV drive mode, Hybrid drive mode, and Engine drive mode, along with Regeneration mode when decelerating. Based on speeds and driving style, the car automatically switches between three modes. Electric regenerative braking in the car combines with hydraulic braking self-charge Lithium-Ion battery pack.
SAFETY
Honda City e:HEV comes with safety features like 6 Airbags, honda lane-watch, multi-angle rearview camera, tyre pressure monitoring system with deflation warning, vehicle stability assist with agile handling assist, hill start assist, ISOFIX compatible rear side seats with lower anchorage & top tether etc. Then there is the Honda Sensing system which offers features like collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist system and auto high-beam.
PRICES
Honda City e:HEV has been priced at Rs 19.49 lakh (ex-showroom) which makes it around Rs 4.5 lakh more expensive than the Petrol version. Honda is offering a three-year unlimited km warranty as standard on the car while the customers can also opt for an extended warranty up to five years and anytime Warranty up to 10 years from the date of car purchase. The warranty available on lithium-ion Battery will be eight-year or 1,60,000 km (whichever comes first) from the date of car purchase.
The writer is Senior Editor at carandbike.com