The Honda City Hybrid Will Make Its Way To India In 2022

• Honda City will come with a segment-first strong-hybrid setup.
• Will pair a 1.5-litre petrol engine with dual electric motors.
• The City hatchback in Thailand is claimed to return 27kmpl.
• Could be priced from around Rs 15 lakh.

Honda will unveil the City hybrid, its first mass-market hybrid in the country, in 2022. The electrified sedan was unveiled in August 2020 and is currently on sale in select ASEAN markets like Thailand and Malaysia. In India, it will be the first true-blue hybrid model in its segment. 

The City’s hybrid system shouldn’t be confused with the one in the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The former uses an out-and-out strong hybrid system capable of driving on 100 percent electricity. In comparison, the Ciaz’s system just assists the engine for additional torque boost under hard acceleration.

Under the hood, the City hybrid will utilise Honda’s dual-motor i-MMD hybrid powertrain, which comes with a 98PS 1.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors. The first one acts as a generator, while the second develops 109PS and 253Nm to propel the sedan. The petrol engine only comes into play only when additional assistance is required. 

Also Read: Honda Cars India Confirms Development Of New SUV For India

Like other strong-hybrid vehicles, you should be able to drive the City hybrid as a pure EV, pure ICE vehicle, or a mix of both. This should make it one of the most fuel-efficient cars in its segment. For reference, the City hybrid hatch in Thailand is claimed to return 27kmpl, around 7kmpl more than the Ciaz mild-hybrid AT.

The City hybrid won’t be too light on your pocket when it is finally launched here. The electric sedan may be priced north of Rs 15 lakh (ex-showroom), making it one of the dearer sedans in its segment. But the ‘green credentials it will bring to the table will be second to none.