Honda City facelift: Here is all we know so far – from design to launch

It is an open secret that Honda's popular sedan City is getting a makeover in India. A lot has already been talked about the upcoming City facelift and it appears like there is no end to rumours.

Although Honda has been decisively keeping mum on the matter, rumours suggest that the work on the City facelift is progressing rapidly and the model in question could make its entry into the Indian market as early as in January 2017. Coming to the City facelift, while some claim that the sedan in its new avatar could draw inspiration from the Greiz sedan, which is sold in the Chinese market, others suggest that it is unlikely and the City could take design cues from the Civic.

From the rumours that are doing the rounds on the internet, the City facelift could get reworked front fascia with new headlamps. However, the thick horizontal slat grille is likely to remain untouched as it is part of the new design language of Honda. Honda City is also likely to see a change in both rear and side profiles, whilst retaining the silhouette of the current model.

On the engine bit, while the motors that power the current City in the market are likely to be continued, rumours are rife that a hybrid engine could also make it to the City facelift in India. As we know, Honda already has Grace hybrid in Japan, which comes powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 108bhp working in tandem with an electric motor.

For all you know, Honda might consider the same for the Indian market as well to tap the rising demand for the hybrid cars in the country. Currently, the City comes powered by 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that is tuned to churn out 117bhp and 145Nm of torque mated to five-speed manual and CVT gearboxes, and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC diesel engine that can develop 99bhp and 200Nm of torque mated to six-speed manual transmission.

Inside the cabin, the City facelift is expected to get a 5.7-cm touchscreen, an automatic climate control system, audio and hands-free telephone controls, paddle shift, cruise control, automotive sunroof and satellite navigation system. The safety in the new sedan is likely to be taken care of by ABS with EBD, rear parking sensor and child safety locks.