Promising to change urban landscape like never before, the Middle East launch of the new Honda City, one of Honda’s best selling models worldwide, was held at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, following the launch of the new Civic a fortnight ago.
The main focus of news conference attended by Middle Eastern auto and lifestyle journalists for the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was the introduction of City’s two dynamic engine technologies, the new high performance 1.5 VTEC engines and the F1 style Steermatic system.
Introducing the cutting-edge technologies of the City 2006, Hajime Yamada, General Manager, The Middle East and Africa Sales Division at Honda Motor Co. Ltd. said: “The City, the third pillar in our passenger car line-up, is again establishing a new world standard for compact, four-door, family sedans. Through innovation, we continue to reinforce its appeal to our demanding customer who looks for power, fuel efficiency, compactness, utility and vibrant styling elements in an urban car.”
Built on the concept of sports performance to capture the essence of Honda’s racing spirit, the new high performance 1.5 VTEC engine has been designed for maximum engine performance and efficiency. This allows the engine to offer the perfect combination of ease of driving at every day speeds and acceleration.
Unlike a conventional automatic transmission adapted widely to cars of this class, the 1.3 LXi features a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), while the 1.5 EXi is equipped, in addition to CVT, with Steermatic that allows the driver the freedom to select the appropriate 7-speed auto or manual mode just like a Formula 1 car driver.
The all-new City also showcases some of Honda's most advanced automotive technology designed to meet the key performance goals articulated by its customers like contemporary design, the world’s top level of collision safety, the class best standard of fuel consumption and impressive cabin space.
Takashi Saito, Development Large Project Leader of the new City underlined the all-new City’s outstanding offer. “Primarily,” he said, “the 2006 edition of City’s profile is that of a sporty stylish sedan, designed to attract attention with its dynamic new looks, delivering superior riding comfort with precise, agile, handling through improved design proportions. It is bigger than its predecessor and has a more purposeful and dynamic road presence.”
Honda's original G-CON (G-Force Control) technology is incorporated to create a new body with crash safety characteristics that are among the best in the world.
The distinctive interior features generous seating for five occupants and more than ample storage space. A high visibility self-illuminating instrument panel provides a clear visual display for effortless driving enjoyment.
The attention to detail in the dependable City is immaculate, with thoughtful touches such as a convenient card holder, trendy, easy to operate gear lever and ergonomically designed controls. The assertive road presence is accentuated by external styling elements such as the sports front grille, hawk eye headlights and sharp tail lights.
The promise of more space within the car is indeed true as the 500 litre capacity boot area is big enough to rival luxury cars, and it easily passes the crucial golf bag test, accommodating not 1 but 4 full size golf bags.
“The City had become a great success story since its global launch in Thailand in April, 1996, not only in Asia but also in the Middle East and Africa. Our continued investments in the City will spearhead growth and ensure that we surpass the 9 per cent sales increase achieved in 2004,” said Yamada, describing the expectations that the company has from the revitalized City.
The City will be available in five striking new colours in addition to the two existing, Night Hawk Black Pearl and Taffta White, The new colours include sleek and stylish Alabaster Silver Metallic, Royal Blue Pearl, Silver Stone Metallic, Satellite Silver Metallic, and Purplish Blue Metallic.
The new City will go on sale country by country, starting from United Arab Emirates and Sultanate of Oman from yesterday. The sale price will vary in each country. The City has a warranty of 3 years or 60,000kms in all Middle Eastern countries.
About Honda:
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, produces and manufactures a wide variety of products, ranging from small general-purpose engines to specialty sports cars that incorporate the company's highly efficient internal combustion engine technology. Approximately 19 million Honda engines were sold worldwide during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. Honda operates through 124 overseas production facilities in 28 countries, which supply Honda parts to most of the industrialized countries in the world. The Company operates three business segments: motorcycles business, automobiles business and power products business.
