2016 Honda City facelift to be launched in festive season: Report

Honda Car India's bread-and-butter model, the City, was launched in its latest sixth generation in the country in 2014. Two years down the line, the sedan is up for a facelift, and latest reports indicate the launch can be expected in September-October this year.

A report in ET Auto says the updated version of the City is being readied as a festive-season launch. It being a mid-life facelift, the updates are expected concentrate on cosmetics, and the powertrains are expected to be unchanged.

Many reports have said the new City would be inspired by the Crider sedan available in the Chinese market. The thick horizontal slat grille that is part of the new design language of Honda will be untouched in the facelift, while the headlamps and bumpers will be tweaked in line with the design of the Honda Jazz hatchback. The rear of the facelift is expected to sport C-shaped tail lamps and the reverse light and indicators are placed in the middle.

The new City's interior is expected to feature 15.7cm touchscreen, an automatic climate control system, audio and handsfree telephone controls, paddle shift, cruise control, electric sunroof and sat-nav system. On safety front the facelift is expected to feature ABS with EBD, rear parking sensor, anti-theft alarm, child safety locks and front and side impact beams.

The 2016 Honda City will carry over the same petrol and diesel engines of the current model. The 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine develops 117bhp and 145Nm of torque mated to five-speed manual and CVT gearboxes. The 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine develops 99bhp and 200Nm of torque mated to six-speed manual transmission. The current City models are retailed at Rs 8-13 lakh ex-showrrom, Delhi, and the facelifted model is expected to be pricier by Rs 20,000-25,000.