New Honda City Launched
Kuala Lumpur, 11 October 2005 – Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd, the assembler and importer of Honda vehicles in Malaysia today launched the face-lifted version of the popular Honda City. The 1.5 litre City continues to have two engine variants, the 8-valve SOHC I-DSI with twin spark plugs, with an output of 88 PS that delivers outstanding fuel economy for those who want to watch their pockets, and the 16-valve SOHC VTEC delivering an output of 110 PS for those who like to feel the G-forces acting on them when accelerating.
According to a spokesman from Honda, there has been some additional work done on the ECU programming to give approximately 6 percent better fuel economy than the current models.
This face-lift replaces the 2nd generation City that was launched in 2003. Some external changes have been added to make it more streamlined and more appealing to the buying public. The addition of a new front grille, a new front bumper, and a rear mini-spoiler certainly has improved the City’s looks. The VTEC model comes with an additional body kit, and a slightly different front grille. Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia, said that the I-DSI model is designed to appeal to the mainstream family types, while the V-TEC model has some sporty features aimed at the young and dynamic types. In response to a question by a senior member of the motoring fraternity, he was magnanimous in conceding that the Vios has been selling in higher numbers principally due to more appealing looks. He also added that it is his hope that the new lines will translate into more unit sales.
Also speaking at the launch ceremony held at the KLCC Convention Centre, En. Zainuddin Taib, Senior Manager of Honda Malaysia said, “The Honda City has become our core sales model, with sales numbers totaling 42 percent of our total sales, and Honda’s market share in the non-National passenger car market is 26.7 percent.
“We have put additional value into the new City with a new sporty look with enhanced exterior design and new dark interior colour for (the) VTEC. We also have further improved on the performance, with improved engines and the new suspension settings. With these new additional values, we are targeting additional target customers, who are active customers which we have classified as young single, lady.”
Both models are equipped with the current Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT), which includes the push-button controls fitted on the steering wheel for manual gear changing. Steering is electrically powered, saving precious horses for powering the car, plus additional fuel economy. Some changes have also been rendered to the interior trim, including a ‘seat underbox’ located under the rear seat (for the VTEC model only).
Another piece of good news is that the wheels are both 6-inch wide, 15 inches rims fitted with 185/55 R 15 tyres. Brakes are discs all round for the VTEC, while the I-DSI is fitted with drums at the rear. ABS and EBD are standard, as are driver and front passenger airbags.
Price on-the-road for the I-DSI is RM84,300, while the VTEC is RM89,300. This includes a warranty of 3 years or 100,000 kilometres.
