SPORTY LOOKS The new Honda City's exterior design is much better than its awkward looking predecessor

FUSS FREE The City's dashboard design is clean and uncluttered

By Justin Lee

LOCAL HONDA DISTRIBUTOR Kah Motor has started taking orders for the new City compact sedan with deliveries scheduled to start in December. The car’s official launch is on 26 September at the opening of the Singapore Motorshow.

The City is based on the current generation Jazz compact hatchback but unlike the superseded model’s styling which was strangely upright and narrow-tracked, it has a smooth flowing exterior design that looks sporty and dynamic.

Power comes from the 120bhp 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine shared with the Jazz. All models come equipped with either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

The City is 4395mm long, 1715mm wide and 1470mm tall. It is longer and wider by 5mm and 25mm respectively when compared with the old model but is 15mm shorter. The car’s wheelbase has grown by a whopping 100mm over its predecessor’s 2450mm to 2550mm.

It will be sold in two trim levels standard and LX. The standard model gets 15-inch alloy wheels, a 2 DIN audio unit with iPod connectivity, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, dual front airbags, a tilt steering wheel, a remote central locking system and an engine immobiliser. The LX version gets 16-inch alloy wheels, silver exterior door handles, an integrated factory fitted audio unit with USB port, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, foldable and reclining rear seats, front fog lamps and a security alarm on top of the safety equipment that is offered on the standard model. The LX models equipped with automatic transmission also get paddles shifters behind the steering wheel.

The prices for the City are as follows:
1.5 manual - $60,000 with COE
1.5 auto - $61,500 with COE
1.5LX manual - $61,500 with COE
1.5LX auto - $63,500 with COE