Following the launch of the Honda City Hatchback in December, for which there are more than 5,200 bookings, Honda Malaysia has now announced the price of the City Hatchback RS e:HEV which was not revealed earlier. Without insurance, the price is RM107,783.09 and this price without sales tax will be applicable until June 30, 2022. There are 3 colour options – Ignite Red Metallic, Meteoroid Gray Metallic and Platinum White Pearl.
This is the first time that the City model is offered in a hatchback bodystyle and the flagship version also comes with e:HEV technology that uses the 1.5-litre Sports intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain coupled with Electric Continuous Variable Transmission (e-CVT). The hybrid powertrain produces 109 ps/253 Nm and can run in hybrid, engine or even fully electric mode, the latter available for a limited distance depending on the battery pack level.
The City Hatchback’s e:HEV system can run on just the electric motor powered by the battery pack, saving fuel and with no exhaust emissions.
However, as a hybrid electric vehicle, there is no need for recharging from an external source as the battery pack will recharge while the car is being driven. Recharging constantly takes place either by the engine or through regeneration during braking and coasting. This is therefore a more practical approach to electrification for Malaysians at this time when the network of recharging stations is still very small.
Specific to the City Hatchback are a Gloss Black front Grill, Solid Wing and Door Mirrors, and standard are LED headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights, LED front foglights, a rear spoiler and LED rear light units, along with 16-inch alloy wheels.
The interior follows the layout of the sedan and comes with red-stitched Ultrasuede® Seats. The City Hatchback offers additional versatility as it comes with the 4-mode ULTRA Seat, a feature that originated in the first Jazz. The ULTRA Seat allows for different seating layouts in the cabin to suit different usage requirements, including one for carrying tall items like plants.
With the ULTRA Seat, it is possible to fold the seats upright to create more vertical space to carry tall items like plants.
This variant also comes with a 7-inch Interactive TFT meter, 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity as well as rear air conditioning. Other first-in-segment features are Honda LaneWatch to monitor the blind spot on the left side, Electric Parking Brake and Remote Engine Start.
Honda LaneWatch uses a small camera on the left door mirror to monitor the blind spot behind the car and display real-time images on the centre screen.
Like the City Sedan RS e:HEV, this hatchback variant also has Honda SENSING, the camera-based driver-assistance system which allows Level 2 autonomous driving as well. Honda SENSING consists of Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam. With the systems active, the workload on the driver is less so fatigue on long journeys can be reduced as well as motoring safety being enhanced.
Honda CONNECT is also included and this smart Telematics Technology allows owners to connect with the City Hatchback via a smartphone application. The owner can be easily informed of the car’s status as well as other useful information.
For more information or to locate a showroom for a test-drive, visit www.honda.com.my.
Although 2021 saw businesses being disrupted, with an extended lockdown in the middle of the year, many car companies were able to continue their planning, thanks to online meetings with their principals overseas. If such a situation had occurred in the 1980s, perhaps a lot of projects would have to be suspended and delayed.
Now that things are returning to normal (although there is also the ‘new normal’), it is apparent that in companies like Honda Malaysia, a lot of planning was done during 2021 and while launches were probably delayed, now the new models are being rushed into the market. And even before the excitement of the launch of the City Hatchback has died down, the all-new 11th generation of the Civic Sedan has been officially launched today – less than 12 months after its global debut in America.
The Civic would be the longest locally-assembled Honda model, having been assembled since the first generation in the mid-1970s. It was assembled at the Oriental Assemblers plant in Johor then, and then when Honda Malaysia built its own factory in Melaka in the early 2000s, assembly of all Honda models was transferred there.
For the new generation, Honda Malaysia has three variants – the Civic RS, Civic 1.5V and Civic 1.5E. This time round, there is only the proven turbocharged VTEC Earth Dreams engine offered. This means all the variants get the same output of 182 ps with 240 Nm of torque, which is more powerful than a conventional 2.4-litre engine. Power delivery to the front wheels is via a CVT.
According to Maduko Chujo, Managing Director & CEO of Honda Malaysia, the company is also looking at the possibility of offering a hybrid powertrain with the Civic later on. Such a version exists for the new Civic Hatchback in some markets and so it could be also used in the sedan. Or Honda Malaysia might add the Hatchback to its range, a bigger brother to the new City Hatchback. But we’ll probably know if and when this is going to happen by seeing what appears in the Thai market which usually gets new products before Malaysia.
The new styling retains some elements of the previous generation but also has a refreshed character with a low-slung look to the profile. The use of Laser Brazing technology (for the first time at the plant), gives a smooth and clean roofline that makes the car look sleeker.
Compared to the tenth generation, the frontal appearance looks less aggressive with a ‘thin and light’ appearance. It would appear that the EXCITING H!!! DESIGN philosophy which was adopted in 2013 is evolving to something new. The Solid Wing Face that has been in the frontal character is no longer evident and a simpler form is being introduced, which also has some elements used in the new HR-V.
Likewise, at the rear, the distinctive ‘claw’ lighting signature that identified the 10th generation from far away is also gone. The new LED rear combi units wrap around the corners and taper towards the centre.
As with other models, there is the option of adding Modulo accessories for a sportier look or more functionality. There are 5 different packages ranging from RM1,241 to RM7,089. These can be specified at the time of purchases so they can be included in the total cost of the car for calculation of the H-P loan.
The overall size is almost the same as before with the only 2-digit increases being in the length (+30 mm) and wheelbase (+33 mm). Usually, extending the wheelbase would improve rear space and comfort, which Honda says is the case.
The first Civic was half the weight and almost a metre shorter than its 11th generation successor launched 50 years later.
Comparing to the first generation model which was launched in 1972, it’s amazing how the size of the car has changed. The overall length of the first generation, which was a hatchback, was almost 1 metre shorter – around 3.5 metres versus the 2022 model’s 4.7 metres. In 50 years, it has widened to 1.8 metres, 300 mm more, and not surprisingly, being a much bigger car, the latest generation weighs around 1,350 kgs whereas the original was about half that weight!
The chassis of the new Civic has been further stiffened, not only for better resistance to collisions but also to improve handling and ride comfort. Compared to the tenth generation, there’s an 8% increase in torsional rigidity and 13% increase in bending rigidity. Over 10 generations, the Civic has been continuously moving upwards in its image and with this elevation towards a more premium product, Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) levels have had to be reduced. In the latest models, NVH is lower as a result of the application of insulators, floor undercover and spray foam in the chassis areas.
For the new interior, the designers looked at the early Civics, particularly the first one. Those who remember that first generation will see some styling elements in the dashboard of the latest Civic. Some good ideas are still good and so the original design approach of ‘Man-Maximum, Machine-Minimum’ (or ‘M/M’) was used.
While the shelf-like design of the original dashboard has not been revived, the narrow Honeycomb Mesh Panel that runs across two-thirds of the fascia (and also on the right side of the steering column) is in some ways reminiscent of the first generation design. The metal panel serves both form and function, creating a dramatic visual dividing line between the audio, information displays and climate controls, while the intricate flow-through design conceals the air vents for an uncluttered look.
The interior designers obviously did a lot of studies on the control knobs and switchgear and have chosen the right types for different adjustments. While touch and slide controls are cool and futuristic, they are not necessarily practical. The fan speed and temperature adjustments, for example, are far easier to make with rotary knobs. To adjust them by touching a panel means you have to be precise about where you touch and you also have to look, which isn’t good for safety. With rotary knobs, you don’t have to look and for changing modes, pushbuttons are provided.
On the top of the dashboard sits a 9-inch HD display panel (7 inches for Civic 1.5E) for the infotainment system. Manufacturers now no longer need to worry about providing navigation software, thanks to the connectivity provided by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which enables compatible smartphones to send popular apps to the display screen from which they can also be operated. Thus issues like updating maps are irrelevant as apps like Waze and Google Maps will do that and for music, there’s Spotify to call on. And even here, the designers have wisely chosen to provide a rotary knob for adjusting the volume, rather than a touch slider on the screen.
Over in the driver’s area, the instrument panel uses a 7-inch TFT display which is clear and sharp in all lighting conditions. As before, there are steering wheel mounted switches for making adjustments and calls without taking the hands off the steering wheel or looking away from the road ahead. With the Civic RS and 1.5V, paddle shifters are also provided for manually changing CVT ‘gears’.
The driver can choose from 3 driving modes to suit personal preference or driving conditions.
Seats look like, well, seats and unless you study the construction in detail, you won’t see any difference. However, there are improvements in the seat design to give better support and reduce tiredness on long drives. The seat frame has been designed so that the body posture is better and for the drivers in the RS and 1.5V, 8-way power adjustments make it easy to get the ideal position.
For convenience, there is Remote Start available (1.5V and RS) which allows starting the engine from a distance so that the air-conditioner can start running to cool down the interior. The doors will also automatic lock after you have left the car and walked 2 metres away or after 30 seconds.
Like other manufacturers, Honda also has its own suite of active safety systems where a number of different systems work together to help the driver avoid an accident or if it cannot be avoided, to reduce the damaging or injurious effects. In the 10th generation Civic, these systems integrated as Honda SENSING captured data for analysis using a single-lens camera and a millimetre-wave radar which scanned the road ahead.
For the 11th generation, the radar is no longer used and instead, there is a new camera system with a wider field of view (100 degrees, double the width of the previous camera). Where the radar was used to measure the distance to a vehicle ahead, this function can now be done by the camera. Honda engineers are confident that the camera system is better than the previous camera/radar system, even in bad weather conditions. Of course, the driver always needs to be aware that the camera’s view can be obscured in very heavy rain so in such situations, care should be taken rather than rely on Honda SENSING.
The system has automatic emergency braking capability, adaptive cruise control which works right to standstill (and resumes automatically), automatic headlight adjustment between high and low beams, lane and road departure detection and warning as well as keeping the car within its lane. Newly added to Honda SENSING is a feature that alerts the driver when the stopped car ahead moves off. How useful this feature is remains to be seen although it might help in congested conditions where drivers will be reminded to move on when the car ahead has departed from its spot.
With the RS and 1.5V, there is also the Honda LaneWATCH system which is a blindspot monitoring system for the left side of the car. This uses a camera mounted on the door mirror which provides an image along the side of the car. The image is shown on the centre display panel whenever the left signal is activated and the driver can know if there is another car or motorcycle coming up along the side. It’s a noteworthy feature as it reduces the amount of turning the head has to do, compared to having to look for a flashing icon on the mirror (as with other systems).
Honda LaneWATCH system provides a view along the left side of the car.
The new Civic is also set up for Honda CONNECT, the third model in Malaysia to have this telematics technology. Using a smartphone, the owner can view information on the vehicle as well as use remote and security applications. The system also has vehicle tracking which is useful if it is stolen as support services will be able to locate it and inform relevant authorities to recover it.
The new Civic is now in all authorized Honda showrooms nationwide for viewing or test-drives. To locate a showroom in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.
The all-new Honda City Hatchback is nearing launch in Malaysia and as bookings can now be placed at authorised dealers nationwide, Honda Malaysia has provided an overview of the features available. While silent on the prices, the company has confirmed that the new model will be launched before the end of this year. It is unlikely that the prices will be far different from the latest City Sedan (RM74,191 – RM105,950) as it is also assembled locally at the plant in Melaka.
The City Hatchback, which shares the same platform as the City Sedan, replaces the Jazz which has been in the market since 2003. Based on the Thai-spec model, it is around 390 mm longer than the Jazz and 54 mm wider, but 36 mm lower. With the wheelbase at 2589 mm, there is 59 mm extra length between the front and rear wheels, which suggests that the interior should also be a bit more spacious (although the packaging in the Jazz has always been pretty good too).
Hybrid or petrol engine choices
As with the City Sedan, customers can choose the advanced hybrid electric system (e:HEV) or the conventional and proven 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine with 121 ps (highest in class) and maximum torque of 145 Nm. The e:HEV powertrain has Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) with 2 electric motors working with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Besides good fuel efficiency, the performance is also strong, thanks to the 253 Nm of torque which is comparable to a D-segment car with a conventional powertrain.
Incidentally, the City Hatchback assembled in Malaysia differs from the one sold in Thailand as the powertrain offered there is only a 1-litre DOHC 3-cylinder turbocharged VTEC unit. That engine produces 122 ps/173 Nm.
ULTRA Seat
The features and equipment follow those of the sedan in general, but the City Hatchback also as the added versatility of the 4-Mode ULTRA Seat in the rear. This is a variable seating arrangement which was introduced with the first generation of the Jazz in the 2003 (and also the City in the same year). The practical and innovative idea was developed by interior designers after long periods of watching people at supermarkets loading various items. They saw that there was a need for more vertical space for tall items like plants, and made it possible for the entire seat to be flipped up so that the height available would be from ceiling to the floor. This is known as the Tall Mode, which is complemented by Utility, Long, and Refresh modes for different needs.
Honda Malaysia will also offer Remote Engine Start which allows the engine to be started from outside the car, enabling the air-conditioner to be switched on to cool down the cabin before entering. Passengers at the rear will also have added comfort with cool air being brought to them via the dedicated vents.
Honda SENSING and LaneWatch
As would be expected, the City Hatchback (RS only) will have Honda SENSING, the driver assistance suite of systems. This uses front wide-angle view camera (at the top of the windscreen) to scan the road ahead of lane marking as well as other vehicles. Besides automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, it also has adaptive cruise control and control the car from moving out of its lane unintentionally. Auto High Beam is also provided to keep maximum illumination available but automatically dipping the headlights if there is approaching traffic.
Also installed as standard in the City Hatchback (RS and V versions) is Honda LaneWatch. This innovative blindspot monitoring system uses a small camera mounted on the left door mirror to capture real-time images of the area along the side of the car. The image is displayed on the centre screen whenever the left turn signal is activated and the driver can see if there is any approaching vehicle. The advantage of this approach is that the driver’s head turns left less and the image shown is also easier to see than on the door mirror which is some distance away.
Honda LaneWatch
“Honda is not new to the hatchback segment in Malaysia as the popular Jazz which was introduced back in 2003 has sold more than 122,000 units to date. The Jazz is well-known for its practicality and versatility, and is highly popular as one of Malaysians’ favourite urban cars. We believe, with the introduction of the All-New City Hatchback, this model will raise the benchmark to be another game-changer in the market and soon also become Malaysians’ most favourite hatchback car,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.
For more information or to place a booking for the City Hatchback, visit any authorised Honda dealership in Malaysia. To locate a showroom, visit www.honda.com.my.
Even with just two months remaining of a difficult year, Honda Malaysia continues to surprise with new variants being introduced and the latest one to be announced is the City V-SENSING. This is the second variant of the latest City generation, introduced in 2020, to have Honda SENSING after the City RS e:HEV. The new variant is priced at RM90,212.36, without insurance and without sales tax (the exemption has been extended till June 30, 2022).
Honda SENSING + Honda LaneWatch
Honda SENSING, introduced with the CR-V four years ago, is an integrated suite of active safety systems which help the driver to avoid an accident, prevent or reduce the effects of a collision and also generally reduce driving stress. The systems in Honda SENSING are: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).
Honda LaneWatch (shown below), a camera-based blindspot system, is also standard for this variant. It uses a small camera on the left door mirror to capture images of the area along the side of the car. The imagery is displayed on the infotainment screen in real-time, providing the driver with a clear view (even at night) of the blind spot so that any approaching vehicle can be spotted.
“Safety is predominantly Honda’s priority and the City has always been the forerunner in offering safety features for both drivers and passengers using advanced technology. We are delighted to introduce this new variant to the Malaysian market, enabling them to now have more options to choose from in the City line-up with a total of 5 variants available,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.
“The City V-SENSING appeals to more targeted audiences such as young families or young working adults who seek for ample performance as well as advanced safety features for their daily commute. It has the most complete advanced safety features in the B-segment with an attractive pricetag that is below RM100,000. We believe this model will continue to receive much recognition for its overall package of class-leading advanced features, space, comfort and unparalleled performance,” she said.
1.5-litre i-VTEC engine
The City V-SENSING has a 1.5-litre DOHC i–VTEC engine – the most powerful in its segment – coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The engine output is 121 ps with maximum torque of 145 Nm, enabling the car to travel up to 18.5 kms per litre or around 750 kms per full tank.
Standard exterior features include LED Headlights and LED Day Running Lights (DRL), LED foglights, LED taillights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Premium materials inside
As with the other City variants, the interior has premium high-quality textures. The combination leather upholstery for the seats has ivory highlights for a touch of class. The infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity so many of the smartphone apps can also be brought to the dashboard and used from there.
For the driver, who has a 7-inch TFT meter display, there are paddle shifters to use when manual shifting is preferred and the Remote Engine Start allows the engine to be started from outside the car so the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the cabin first. Rear occupants also enjoy more comfort as there are vents behind the centre console box to bring cool air to them.
“Since we launched the 5th Generation City in October 2020, we have recorded total sales of more than 23,300 units. To date, the City has contributed 34% to Honda Malaysia’s total sales between January and October 2021, making it the best-selling model in Honda Malaysia,” Ms. Chujo added.
For more information on the City V-SENSING or to test-drive Honda models in Malaysia, visit any authorized Honda dealership. The locations can be found at www.honda.com.myor by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.
The Malaysian market is greatly appreciated by Honda Motor as this is one of the global markets where the brand enjoys a strong position. It has achieved this success for many years now because it understands that Malaysians like new and advanced technologies and features in their cars. This has led to Malaysia being the first market to launch a new product or technology outside Japan.
With the latest 5th generation Honda City RS e:HEV, Honda again gives Malaysian such an honour. This is the first time in the Asia & Oceania region that Honda is introducing its e:HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) with an advanced 2-motor hybrid system using an intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD).
Another first for Malaysia
This follows other firsts by Honda Malaysia over the past 8 years. It was the first company to assemble hybrid cars locally (and the third country among Honda globally after Japan and USA) and the only country outside of Japan to introduce the Sport Hybrid i-DCD (intelligent-Dual Clutch Drive) with the Jazz Hybrid and previous City Hybrid as well as the HR-V Hybrid.
Malaysia gets the honour of being first because this is where Honda sells the most hybrid models in its Asia & Oceania region. Over the past 5 years, 40% of its hybrid models sold in the region have been in Malaysia. So, as part of its plan to increase e:TECHNOLOGY, it is introducing the new City with i-MMD.
Hybrid technology advanced
Hybrid technology uses both an internal combustion engine, with a 1.5-litre displacement in the new City, and an electric motor. An Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) seamlessly manages power flows in three modes: EV Drive which is purely electric; Hybrid Drive which combines use of both engine and motor; and Engine Drive which draws power only from the engine.
The choice of modes depends on driving conditions as well as the available energy in the lithium-ion battery pack which is also continuously recharged while driving. EV Drive is usually used when starting off and cruising steadily, while Hybrid Drive optimizes running efficiency. Engine Drive will activate at higher speeds, during which time the battery pack will also be recharged.
An electric motor can generate maximum torque the moment the car starts moving off, and this means the driver has up to 253 Nm of torque available right away. This great amount of torque – highest in its class and even more than cars with bigger engines – is generated up to 3,000 rpm so acceleration remains strong. Overtaking can be done quickly and safely and with a system power output of 108 ps, the City can reach its top speed of 173 km/h very quickly.
For added efficiency, the i-MMD uses an Electric CVT to transmit power to the front wheels. The optimum ratio is computer-selected but the driver can manage deceleration more effectively with a Deceleration Selector Pedal, reducing the need to use the brakes.
Exclusive styling for the RS
Naturally, with such advanced technology, Honda Malaysia also wants the City RS to stand out more distinctly. This is achieved by giving exclusive styling features to the variant. The grille has a high-gloss Piano Black finish with the RS badge clearly identifying the variant. The slim LED headlights have an eye-catching design and incorporate LED Day Running Lights (DRLs) that give a specific lighting signature. The headlamps can be set to come on automatically whenever lighting conditions are dim, an added convenience.
At the rear, the LED combination lamps also create a distinct lighting signature that immediately identifies this as a special City variant. The wraparound design enables illumination to be spread over a wider range for driving safety.
Emphasizing the sportiness of the City RS is a slim Piano Black spoiler on the edge of the bootlid. Apart from the looks, this helps to manage airflow as it departs from the car body, reducing turbulence that causes drag.
As to be expected, the City RS gets its own exclusive lightweight alloy rims with a multi-spoke design. 16 inches in diameter and with a dual-tone finish, they are fitted with 185/55 tyres that have been chosen by Honda engineers for this car.
Premium look and feel within
The cabin, more spacious with the increased size of the new generation, has become more refined, with increased sophistication and a premium feel on every surface. Switchgear is placed within easy reach with the aim of allowing the driver to keep eyes on the road ahead. For example, the controls for adjusting the automatic air-conditioning system are rotary knobs which are easy to operate even without looking, while the Electric Parking Brake is easily operated with just a press or pull of a finger.
The icons on the full colour 8-inch display are also large, making selection easy. The infotainment system, which includes an 8-speaker surround-sound audio system, easily connects with compatible smartphones using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This allows favourite apps to be mirrored on the screen, from which they can be managed. With Waze or Google Maps accessible from the dashboard, driving will become easier as traffic conditions are visible and warnings can be heard too.
A 7-inch TFT screen is used for the instrument panel, giving sharp and clear displays in all lighting conditions. A tripcomputer provides driving information with a real-time fuel consumption bar to help the driver achieve economical motoring. The left dial shows power generation and also the chare level of the battery pack.
The premium image is enhanced by the upholstery for the seats – Ultrasuede, a synthetic ultra-microfibre fabric with a soft, elegant texture and feel. Red stitching and sports pedals with polished metal finish add a sporty touch.
For convenience, there’s keyless entry with pushbutton starting/stopping of the engine. The driver can also start the engine from outside the car using the key fob. This allows running of the air-conditioning system so that the cabin can be cooled down before entry – certainly a welcome feature in our climate!
Honda SENSING comes to the City
It’s not just powertrain technology that is advanced in the new City RS. The new model now has Honda SENSING assistance technologies to help the driver. There are seven systems, all of which use a wide-view camera mounted at the top of the windscreen. Images captured in real-time are analysed by the on-board computer to determine hazardous situations and conditions that have a risk of an accident.
When Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is on, the car will travel at a set cruising speed, However, when another vehicle is detected ahead, the speed will be adjusted so that a safe gap is maintained. If there is no longer a vehicle ahead, the set speed will be resumed automatically.
When ACC is not used, Honda SENSING will still monitor the road ahead and if there is a risk of a collision with a vehicle ahead, the driver will be alerted. Should no action be taken (like braking or slowing down), the system will take over and activate the brakes to reduce speed and stop the car. This will help in avoiding a collision in case the driver has lost concentration, and it can also help reduce damage and repair cost as the early deceleration will reduce the impact speed.
As the car is moving, Honda SENSING monitors the lines on the road and notes the position of the car within the lane. Should the driver become drowsy and not maintain full steering control, the car may start to move out of its lane. When this happens, the system will vibrate the steering wheel to alert the driver. In some cases, the system will also gently apply corrective force to steer the car back to the centre of the lane.
There is also the possibility of the car being driven too close to the edge of the road. Honda SENSING is also programmed to detect this and besides alerting the driver, will use steering control and even the brakes to correct the car’s movement.
Auto High Beam is another system in Honda SENSING which gives the driver maximum illumination of the road ahead when possible. Whenever there is no oncoming vehicle, the headlights will switch to the brighter and longer-range high beam, automatically dipping to low beam if a vehicle is detected. This will avoid blinding and irritating the other driver, contributing to safety.
While Honda SENSING is a new feature, exclusive to the City RS, other safety systems such as Vehicle Stability Assist, ABS, EBD and Hill-Start Assist are also present. Additionally, besides dual front SRS airbags, the City RS also has side and window curtain airbags for added protection during side collisions. There is also an Auto Brake Hold feature to make driving in a traffic jam less stressful.
Honda LaneWatch
For the first time, the City gets Honda LaneWatch, an innovative camera-based system which provides the driver with a real-time view of the blind spot along the left side of the car. The advantage of this system is that the driver does not need to turn the head so much to see the traffic situation (unlike having to turn a lot to see the door mirror). The LaneWatch display automatically comes on whenever the signal indicator is activated.
While LaneWatch provides a view of the left side, a Multi Angle Rear View Camera covers the back of the car. This helps the driver position the car properly in a parking bay by showing three different views – wide, normal and high-angle. Each view can be chosen at the touch of a button, appearing clearly on the display even at night when lighting conditions are low.
With so many safety systems to help the driver, plus the G-FORCE CONTROL (G-CON) body structure, it is not surprising that the City can score maximum points from ASEAN NCAP. The G-CON structure dissipates the energy of a collision before it can reach the occupants and cause serious injuries.
Joy of Buying and Owning
Honda Malaysia often talks about giving customers the Joy of Buying with its products, and complementing this would be the Joy of Owning. This comes in many ways that will give peace of mind to the owner. Reliability and durability are a given with any Honda, along with high quality of assembly. The warranty will be for a full 5 years as there is no limit on mileage, and a further 3 years for the hybrid battery pack.
The all-new Honda City RS e:HEV will be available in January 2021 but authorized Honda dealerships nationwide will be happy to accept a booking now. To locate a showroom nearest to you, visit www.honda.com.my or by calling 1-800-88-2020.
The countdown has started for the launch of the all-new Honda City in Malaysia with bookings being accepted by 101 authorised dealerships nationwide from today. The Malaysian launch, to take place during the fourth quarter of 2020, will also be the global debut of the City RS intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD).
Preview before launch
Before the launch, the public can get a glimpse of it at various locations in Peninsular Malaysia (click here for the list of venues). Honda Malaysia will also offer ‘early bird’ buyers with a RM1,000 Service Voucher under the All-New City Special Early Booking Programme. And although the price is not announced yet, the new car will have full 10% sales tax exemption until the end of 2020.
This will be the fifth generation of the model which began as Honda’s ‘Asian Car’ in the mid-1990s (there was an earlier City in the 1980s but it was a different concept). The new generation made its global debut in Thailand in November last year.
New LED headlights have a more advanced appearance than the ones in the previous generation (below).
The City RS will have LED Headlights (RS and V variants) with LED Daytime Running Lights as well as new LED taillight clusters. New Black door mirrors on the RS create a two-tone expression of the body colour. There are also 16-inch aluminium alloy wheels with the RS & V variants finished in a dual tone. The circumference of the wheels gives the impression of being rim-less, making the wheels look larger and complementing the larger appearance of the car.
Honda Malaysia has revealed that there will be four variants of the new City which will be assembled at its factory in Melaka. Commenting on the model, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Toichi Ishiyama, said: “The City has proven to be an important model for Honda Malaysia, a favourite among many Malaysians for its spaciousness, practicality and safety features. Since its introduction to the Malaysian market in 2001, the model has an accumulated total sales of 351,000 units with the most sought-after 4th Generation City which was launched in 2014 contributing more than 205,000 units and upholding its No.1 position in the B-segment.”
Mr. Ishiyama added that the launch of the City RS with a new powertrain in Malaysia is ahead of other countries. “We believe that this new model will excite the market with its advanced styling and engineering as Honda continues to lead the way in pioneering benchmarks and introducing Next Generation Advanced Technology that is ahead of its time,” he said.
4 variants with sporty RS as well
In the Honda line-up, RS is conceptualised as ‘Road Sailing’, where one can imagine driving far away and sailing along the road with an uncompromising driving performance. ‘RS’ is also associated with sporty and stylish appeal Honda variants and with the new City RS, Honda Malaysia expects it to be a class leader.
The City will once again be a game-changer with its new 253 Nm powertrain.
i-MMD powertrain
The new i-MMD powertrain, globally known as ‘e:HEV’, spearheads Honda’s Next Generation Hybrid Technology to realize outstanding environmental performance without compromising driving enjoyment. It provides high efficiency electrification combined with direct and smooth response.
The i-MMD powertrain was previously only available in Honda’s line-up of large class models. To offer the advanced technology across all other Honda models, the engineers at Honda R&D have adapted a more compact and efficient i-MMD system to a smaller-sized vehicle. the powertrain is said to deliver a best-in-class maximum torque rating of 253 Nm which is comparable to a bigger D-segment model or a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated engine.
Customers also have the option of choosing a new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC powertrain which is the newest engine in its segment.
The new City will have Honda LaneWatch to monitor the blind spot on the car’s left side. However, the camera installation appears to be different from the one’s on other Honda models (below).
Honda LaneWatch comes to the City
With the new City, Honda Malaysia is going further with safety equipment and it will have a couple of B-segment firsts. One of them is Honda LaneWatch, a camera-based system which monitors the blind spot on the left side and shows the image on the dashboard display. This feature is already available in the Accord, CR-V and Civic and now comes to the City.
Replacing the traditional handbrake lever, there is a new first-in-segment Electric Parking Brake which makes handbrake operation a lot easier. Little effort is needed to lift the small tab which can be done with one finger. It also frees up more space on the centre console for other purposes.
Earlier in the year, the 2020 Honda Civic was launched (along with the 2020 Accord) but as it came out about 20 days before the government implemented the Movement Control Order (MCO) that suspended all business operations in the country, sales were limited. Nevertheless, according to Honda Malaysia, over 2,900 units have already been delivered nationwide, with more than 6,500 booking received up till the end of June.
Today, it has been announced that the Civic – the leader in the C-segment and Honda’s third bestselling model in Malaysia – has been upgraded with Next Generation Advanced Technology. The top variant now has Honda SENSING as well as Honda LaneWatch.
First introduced in the CR-V (in Malaysia), Honda SENSING is an integrated suite of 8 active safety systems that help the driver to avoid accidents. The systems use cameras and radar to monitor the presence of other vehicles ahead and prevent collisions, as well as lane markings to alert the driver if the car is moving out of the lane (or even off the road).
LaneWatch is a very useful feature that provides the driver with a view along the blind spot on the left side of the car. It uses a small camera in the door mirror on the left side (pictured above left) and the real-time image is displayed on the screen on the dashboard (above right), coming on whenever the left signal is activated.
The advantage of having LaneWatch is that the driver’s head does not need to turn so much, compared to turning considerably to look at the left mirror. The head needs to just turn a bit to see the display screen which is in the middle of the dashboard. Guidelines embedded in the image provide reference points to indicate the distance of another vehicle or motorcyclist.
There are different wheel diameters and designs for each of the three variants.
All variants are equipped with standard safety features such as 6 airbags, Vehicle Stability Assist, Agile Handle Assist , Hill Start Assist, Emergency Stop Signal, ABS, Brake Assist, Auto Brake Hold, ISOFIX points in the rear seat. The parking sensors in the front bumper are also said to be new.
The Civic continues to be available with a 173 ps/220 Nm DOHC VTEC 1.5-litre turbocharged engine as well as a 1.8-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine (141 ps/174 Nm). Both engines are paired with a CVT and can bring the car up to a claimed top speed of 200 km/h.
“The New Civic now sets an even higher benchmark in the C-segment, offering a complete technologically advanced sedan that continues to be well-received by young adults, young urban families, professionals and tech-savvy individuals. With the PENJANA initiative [exempting sales tax], this model now receives a substantial reduction, giving customers more reason to own the New Civic,” said Toichi Ishiyama, Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO.
Unlike the Japanese market, where demand for the Civic has been so low that the company has withdrawn it from the domestic range, the model has been consistently popular in Malaysia. With high demand, there is a waiting period which the company says is presently one month.
You can add Modulo accessories designed for the Civic to have sportier looks.
The White Orchid Pearl colour (which incurs extra cost) appears to be the favourite among customers, representing 42% of the overall sales for the latest Civic. So if you want your car faster, maybe you should choose from the other four colours, or tell the sales representative that you’ll take whatever colour is readily available.
The new Civic is available in three variants, with the 1.5-litre engine powering two of them. Prices without insurance range from RM109,326.51 to RM134,661.28 and the reduced prices will be available until December 31, 2020. More information and the locations of showrooms for viewing and test-drives can be found at www.honda.com.my.
