2017 Honda City facelift to be launched mid-January; likely to get hybrid engine: Report

New City is rumoured with a design in line with the Greiz sedan sold in China.

Honda Car India launched fourth generation of the popular City sedan in January 2014. The bread and butter model of the Japanese carmaker in India is set to get facelift and emerging reports indicates launch of new version in early 2017.

New Honda City launch can be expected in mid-January while unofficial pre-bookings are expected to start soon, reports Cardekho. New version of the sedan is expected to feature a design in line with the Greiz sedan sold in China. Greiz is based on the current generation of the City sedan and features slightly tweaked styling. The thick horizontal slat grille that is a part of the new design language of Honda will be left untouched in the facelift, though it may get a dark colour treatment. The grille and the newly-designed headlamps will have a more integrated layout. The front and rear bumpers will be tweaked, while the rear of the facelift is expected to sport C-shaped tail lamps.

The interior of the new City is expected to get new infotainment system that supports both Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. An automatic climate control system, audio and hands free telephone controls, paddle shift, cruise control, electric sunroof and a sat-nav system can also be expected.

On the 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 same 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines in the current model will be carried over in new model as well. However, emerging reports also suggests Honda Car India is actively considering hybrid engine for India. Honda already sells City hybrid in Japan under the brand name Grace. The Grace hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 108bhp working in tandem with an electric motor that produces 28bhp that draws power from a built-in lithium-ion battery. The hybrid system is mated to even-speed dual clutch transmission. Honda Grace hybrid returns fuel efficiency of 34.8kmpl.