You Can Book A BS6-compliant Honda City At These Dealerships Right Now!

• The City petrol will be upgraded to meet BS6 emission norms first.
• It is expected to carry a premium of Rs 50,000 over the BS4 model.
• BS6 City petrol will be available in a total of four variants.
• 1.5-litre i-DTEC will be updated to meet BS6 norms soon.
• All-new 2020 City likely to launch after Auto Expo 2020.

Earlier, we brought you an exclusive report about the current Honda City receiving a BS6-compliant petrol powertrain before its successor, the 2020 City, arrives. And now, a couple of Honda Cars India dealers we spoke to have confirmed the same. Select dealers across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra have started accepting bookings for the BS6-compliant model for a token of Rs 30,000. We were also told that the BS6 petrol model could be priced Rs 50,000 more than the current model, which ranges from Rs 9.81 lakh to Rs 14.16 lakh (petrol ex-showroom Delhi). Expected to be launched by end 2019, the updated City will take on the upcoming Verna facelift which was recently unveiled in China.

The City comes with two powertrains: a 1.5-litre i-VTEC and a 1.5-litre i-DTEC. Thanks to an RTO document, we know that the 1.5-litre petrol unit will arrive in its BS6 avatar first. Select dealers have reported that the updated model is expected to be available by the end of 2019. The BS6-compliant i-VTEC motor puts out 119PS of power, which is the same as the BS4-compliant engine. It is expected to develop the same 145Nm of torque as well. Transmission options for the petrol City include a 5-speed manual or a CVT. There will be no change in the variant list of the BS6 City i-VTEC as it will continue to be offered in SV, V, VX and ZX trims. 

Even the 1.5-litre i-DTEC motor will be upgraded to meet BS6 emission norms. However, the launch timeline of the same is yet to be confirmed. Currently, the diesel motor develops 100PS and 200Nm. The City i-DTEC is only available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. 

Meanwhile, Honda has started developing the all-new, fifth-gen City that’s expected to debut after the Auto Expo 2020. The new model will come with revamped styling despite retaining the current car’s silhouette and glass house. It will come with a premium interior that will borrow plenty of bits from the 2020 Honda Jazz that was recently revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show. Powertrain options are likely to be carried over from the current model. When launched, the 2020 Honda City will rekindle its rivalry with the Toyota Yaris, Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.