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New Honda City Hatchback officially launched, priced from RM75,670

Not everyone may know that the City name did not begin with the model that is known today which was born in the mid-1990s. There was another Honda City – a small car mainly sold in Japan which was called the City as well. That model was interesting in the interior packaging that made it even possible to include a tiny scooter called the MotoCompo in the boot. And it was a hatchback. So it is interesting that while the original City was not mentioned before as a predecessor of today’s City – which is a sedan – it was mentioned with the launch of the new City Hatchback.

The original City was a small hatchback produced between 1981 and 1986. It was only around 3.8 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.2 metres – while the modern City Hatchback is 4.3 metres long and sits on a wheelbase of 2.6 metres.

The City Hatchback takes the place of the Jazz which will no longer be offered in Malaysia but will still be sold elsewhere outside the region. Some may ask why it is necessary to drop the Jazz. It has been a successful product since being launched in 2001 and was the first model to beat the Toyota Corolla in the domestic Japanese market in overall sales. Like the Civic, which began as a low-priced hatchback, the Jazz evolved and perhaps became more sophisticated and more expensive to build.

It could be for this reason that Honda decided to develop a hatchback on the City platform which was originally conceived as a ‘Asian Car’. It was created at a time when the Civic began to cost more and could no longer be an entry-level model so a new lower-cost approach was needed to offer a new model at the entry level.

*Prices shown above do not include insurance and sales tax. For private registration in Peninsular Malaysia.*

The City Hatchback was planned and developed at the same time as the current 5^th generation City Sedan but its introduction was delayed due to the pandemic. While the Jazz will be sold in other regions, this model is intended mainly for the Asia-Oceania market. The factory in Thailand is the hub for producing the City in both variants and markets like Malaysia also have it assembled locally.

Four variants, two powertrains
For the Malaysian market, there are four variants being assembled at the Melaka plant, essentially like what is offered for the sedan. And like the sedan too, one of them (the RS variant) has a more advanced i-MMD e-HEV powertrain. This is a hybrid powertrain which is greatly improved from the first Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system Honda used over 20 years ago. It uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine working with dual electric motors and can generate up to 253 Nm of torque – which is a figure normally seen from bigger engines. The City Hatchback RS will not, however, be immediately available (which was the same case with the City RS), so we won’t get into too much detail at this time.

As for the other three variants (S, E and V), these all share the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine with a DOHC cylinder head. This engine (also used in the sedan) produces 121 ps/145 Nm which is the highest in its class and the power gets to the front wheels through a CVT. These three variants are expected to account for 95% of the sales, the same proportion as for the City Sedan.

Shorter but heavier
While the sedan and hatchback have similar mechanical items and parts, the bodywork is obviously different at the rear with the absence of the ‘third box’ for the boot. The rear side doors appear similar, probably retaining the same hard points but further back, the rear end is shorter. The difference in overall length is about 206 mm but the wheelbase is identical at 2600 mm as is the 1748 mm width. The hatchback is a bit heavier even though it is shorter and that’s likely to be because it has a larger piece of glass at the back.

The versatility of a hatchback
When hatchbacks started to appear in the 1970s, the selling point was their versatility. SUVs as we know them today were not in existence yet so to have a car that could provide comfortable transport and yet carry more stuff than a sedan, the hatchback with its large rear opening was a practical approach.

While one can say that when folding rear seats were also available in sedans, the extended load capacity also became possible, along with a longer floor. But what a hatchback offers is more vertical space so more items can be stacked or taller items can be accommodated (keeping in mind the rear view, of course).

The ULTRA Seat
Honda’s designers went one step further in making the cabin of a hatchback versatile by adding the ULTRA seat. This innovation was developed after hours of watching people at supermarkets and shopping centres. They took note of the sort of items loaded and saw that there were items that were tall (like plants) and could not readily fit. This led them to design the rear seat to fold upwards against the backrest and create a generous vertical space from the floor to the ceiling.

The ULTRA seat was introduced in the first generation of the Jazz in the early 2000s. It was then offered in the second generation of the City, giving it a unique selling point. However, it was not consistently offered and then disappeared.

Now the ULTRA seat is back in the City Hatchback which extends its versatility. Instead of being bolted to the floor and fixed in place, the seats have a hinge under the backrest and are supported on U-shaped tubular bars. They can be flipped up against the backrests, or the backrests flipped down flat to get more floor length.

While they are similar in concept to the original ULTRA seats, they no longer have a hard plastic panel underneath. In the early version, the panel was moulded and included circular teh tarik hooks which were useful if you had some plastic bags to hang.

As before, the ULTRA seats have four ‘modes’ – UTILITY, LONG, TALL or REFRESH. For the LONG and REFRESH modes, the front passenger’s seat can also be folded flat so there is an open space from the back door all the way to the dashboard to carry a really long item or just to stretch out. For those who frequent IKEA, this would definitely be the sort of car to own.

Similar design and features as sedan
The cabin layout is the same as the sedan’s and the equipment levels are also similar. The best-equipped version is the top RS e:HEV which has Honda SENSING and Honda CONNECT. However, this version would cost more than the RM87,860 that the top version (1.5V) of the petrol-engined variants is priced at. For the sedan, Honda Malaysia introduced an additional version which brings Honda SENSING to the 1.5V version and they might do the same for the City Hatchback later on.

In any case, the City Hatchback 1.5V is still pretty well equipped and good value for money. It has standard features like Auto LED headlights (high beam automatically switches to low beam when necessary), LED front foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels, Honda LaneWatch and 6 airbags.

Honda Lanewatch is another innovative feature which provides the driver with a view of the blind spot on the left side of the car by using a small camera mounted on the door mirror. The real-time image is displayed on the 8-inch panel in the middle of the dashboard so the driver doesn’t have to turn the head all the way to the left to see the mirror. The camera is only on when the left signal is activated.

Other notable features are Remote Engine Start, paddle shifters, cruise control, automatic air-conditioning a reverse camera (these items are also standard for the 1.5E). For those with compatible smartphones, there’s added connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Comprehensive safety systems
While the Honda SENSING package is available only for the very top RS variant, the safety systems that come standard with the City Hatchback are also pretty comprehensive and can help to reduce accidents. These include ABS with Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and Hillstart Assist.

There’s also an Emergency Stop Signal system which will keep the brake lights illuminated and activate the hazard lights automatically if the braking action is sudden and heard (indicating emergency braking). This can alert drivers behind so that they will respond earlier and possibly avoid a rearend collision.

As childseats are now required by law, there is an ISOFIX point for compatible childseats to be installed easily and securely. The Seatbelt Reminder is also wired to include the rear seatbelts so that the driver will be aware when someone is not belted up (an offence).

For those who don’t like SUVs
The Jazz may be missed by some but if it is versatility that you are looking for, then the City Hatchback would be just as practical. This extra capability is available without compromising on space and comfort and can be considered something like a stationwagon too. And for those who want the versatility of a SUV but don’t like the tallness, the City Hatchback could also be a great alternative as it sits as low as the sedan.

First Impressions Of The All-New Honda City Hatchback V-Variant

First Impressions Of The All-New Honda City Hatchback V-Variant

When Honda Malaysia announced the flagship model for the new Honda City, mouths were left agape with the torque figures and good looks of the City RS e:HEV.

No surprises there because that’s what a flagship model is all about – a showmanship of what’s possible for a particular model by the manufacturer.

But more often than not, the second model in the line up would be equally as good, but with a different set of features and a watered down design. And a cheaper price tag.

Take the newly introduced and second in line to the City throne Honda City hatchback petrol, or officially known as the V variant, for instance.

It is expected to cost as much as the sedan variant, which puts it in the eighty something thousand league. And for that kind of money, you get a car that feels as well built as an early 2000s BMW. Which is a good thing.

But what’s not a good thing though is that we can’t show you photos of the interior until after it has been officially introduced. But we can tell you that it feels great and is similar to the City sedan.

The seats are more suited to comfort and luxury than the sportier ones in the RS. And that’s not a bad thing either because the seats are fantastic.

We got to drive one recently together with the Honda City RS at Sepang Circuit. You can read about how well the RS accelerates by clicking here.

The drive took place at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), where Honda Malaysia was keen to show off the acceleration and handling of the two top of the line variants.

The acceleration test took place at Turn 10 of SIC – a shallow gradient uphill climb that flows into Turn 11. This was a great spot to test out the power delivery and handling of the City because Turns 12 and 13 are fast flowing corners that tend to upset the balance of a car.

No upsetting the balance of the City though. But of course we weren’t really pushing them as hard as you would on a track. We were told to keep on the slower side of 110km/h.

But just as mentioned in the previous article, handling was accurate and body movement was as minimal as an everyday car could muster.

I had jumped into the competing car before any of the new Hondas though. One that was provided to establish the baseline feel of what the competitors could do.

But you don’t bring a competitor car to your event unless you are sure you can mop the floor with it, and that’s what the petrol variant of the Honda City did.

The 1.5-litre engine that is powering the V variant produces a class leading 118hp and 145Nm of torque.

These figures are not exactly what you would call powerful, but in a lightweight car designed to move people and their belongings comfortably – it is not all that bad.

It is still capable of shoving you back into your seat, no matter how little.

Exterior wise, the V variant may not be as exciting to look at because it doesn’t have the glass piano black front grill, the blacked out wing and black door mirrors. In place you get a chrome grill and a very subdued overall design.

But just like the RS, the V variant too gets the all-important LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, LED fog lamps and LED rear combi lights.

The V variant also gets 16-inch alloy wheels. Thought the wheel well looks like it could easily take on a set of 18 or 19-inch wheels. Modification ready perhaps?

Just like the RS, the V-variant also gets Honda’s famous ULTRA seats that first made its debut in the Jazz.

The ULTRA seats allow the seats to either be folded down in what Honda calls the Utility mode, folded up (Tall mode), lay flat (long mode) and even lay the front passenger seats flat (Refresh mode) for a total flat out format that mimics a daybed. Excellent for a weekend by the beach, if you are so inclined.

But the V-variant loses out on the Honda SENSING safety suite – but expect that to trickle down the line to other models as the City hatchback goes through its product life cycle. Or perhaps there would be a City 1.5L Hatchback V SENSING, just like how there is a City 1.5L V SENSING for the sedan model.

All in all, the Honda City hatchback has made an excellent case for itself.

Fans of the Jazz were left aghast when Honda Malaysia announced that the Jazz will be replaced with the City hatchback. But after driving it, the Jazz simply doesn’t make sense anymore when the City hatchback is able to offer so much more.

Honda Malaysia has not mentioned anything about the price though, but an introduction is due to take place any day now, and expect prices to be not that far off the sedan versions.

The Honda City hatchback is now available for booking at your nearest dealer.

First Drive: The All-New Honda City Hatchback – You Won’t Miss The Jazz!

The announcement by Honda Malaysia that it was discontinuing the much loved Honda Jazz was met with shock, sadness and a little anger on the social media sphere.

Since its introduction in 2003, Honda Malaysia has sold over 120,000 units, showing that Malaysians really loved the Jazz.

It is undoubtedly true that the Jazz provided the perfect answer to those looking to commute in an urban environment and to some extent, even inter state travel.

Back in university days, those from regular families would perhaps arrive in a Proton, or opt for public transport. Those from better to do families would arrive in a Jazz. It had that kind of appeal. It not only provided mobility solutions, but defined segments of the community as well.

Enter the all-new Honda City hatchback.

What was Honda thinking you might say. Why discontinue a product that has obviously been selling well and offered bang for the buck?

The Jazz does live on in spirit with the new City hatchback. Simply put, the all-new Honda City hatchback builds on the already proven formula of the Jazz, but switches it up a notch or two more to make an already good product even better.

We got to drive the new City hatchback at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Before you think that the car would undoubtedly perform well around the smooth tarmac of Sepang, the venue was chosen because it offers privacy as the car has not been officially launched in Malaysia as yet.

And we were limited to 110km/h, tested the acceleration, the handling in a slalom course, and the high-tech Honda Sensing technology. Simply put, SIC was transformed to offer as close to real world conditions as possible.

And of course, we also got to spend time in a competitor car, just to see how much better the City hatchback really is. And of course, the new City is leaps and bounds better than the competitor that shall not be named.

We cannot show you photos of the interior of the new City hatchback due to an ongoing embargo, but let’s just say that owners of the current Honda City sedan would find some refreshing updates.

The Honda Sensing technology is also integrated into the City hatchback and performs the same while offering the same slew of technologies like Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning and Auto High Beam.

But what is new for the City hatchback is the addition of the Honda LaneWatch system (for the RS and V variant only). This is not new tech as we have seen it before in the CRV, HRV, Civic and Accord.

But it now uses a wide angle lens that offers a more complete view of whatever is on your left. We tried it and can confirm that it works great. Honda Malaysia had a CRV follow us on the left to prove its effectiveness.

Then came the acceleration test at turn 10 of SIC, which is an uphill climb.

The competitor of another Japanese make suffered here with the engine droning and struggling to lay down power. There was no shove into the seat, just a lot of waiting around for power to be delivered to the tarmac.

We first tried the V-Spec petrol variant, and that too had a little droning, but power was laid down more urgently.

The petrol variant is powered by a 1.5-litre engine producing 118hp and 145Nm of torque. Which is decent for daily commutes and highway driving.

The RS though was something else.

It too is powered by a 1.5-litre engine but this offers something called Sports Intelligent Muti-Mode Drive (i-MMD). This tech utilises two electric motors that are located at each side of the front wheels that are electrified by a battery pack located at the rear of the car.

We all know what a combustion engine paired with electric motors can do. This has resulted in a powertrain that offers a class leading 253Nm of torque.

Honda Malaysia will not reveal the combined power figure but instead will only tell us that the City RS hatchback produces 106hp. This horsepower figures are from the electric motors alone, and not from the engine. Now imagine what a combined power figure might be like.

Back at turn 10 of SIC, the City RS hatchback had that reassuring shove into the seat, a testament to its power, and power delivery was linear with no loss during shifts.

For a car to replace the much loved Jazz, it had to offer versatility and spaciousness. And the City hatchback has a lot of that because it offers something call ULTRA seats – a feature first seen in the Jazz.

Ultra Seats offer different configurations to keep up with the many demands of life. There’s the Utility mode which folds the rear seats flat to expand on the boot space. A rather regular feature.

Then there is the Long mode that folds just one part of the rear seat as well as the front passenger seat to store long items – a regular feature as well.

After that there is the Tall mode and this is where things get interesting because in this mode you can fold the rear seats upwards to create more floor space. This is to store tall items, and you don’t see this feature in other cars.

What is even better is the Refresh mode which turns the interior of the City hatchback into two small beds. You read that right – you can turn the interior into two beds! This is perfect for those with an active outdoor lifestyle as you can go camping and such with the City hatchback.

So you see, the City hatchback continues the legacy of the Jazz and takes it up a few notches. In fact it sprinkles in some refinement and quality as well because the interior feels brilliant and well thought out. Quality is fantastic as well.

There is no indication on pricing as yet as Honda Malaysia will only disclose that once it is officially launched. But bookings are already open, and if you want something that is good for the family and can do just about anything that life demands except for race camels in a desert, then give the new Honda City hatchback a good hard look. As for pricing, don’t expect it to be too far off the price of the sedan.

Acura brings back a new generation of the car that launched the brand in 1986

The Integra is back, presented by the Acura brand for the global reveal of the ‘prototype’ model. Like Type R, the Integra name gets enthusiasts’ pulse racing and it is particularly respected in America. While the Integra in other markets was sold by the Honda brand, the original was the model that helped launch the Acura brand in America in 1986.

No more 2-door coupe design
Unlike earlier Integras which were 2-door models, the coupe is now a 5-door fastback design. Designed in Japan, the new Integra’s exterior styling (finished in NSX Yellow for the prototype) features a dramatically sloping roofline and tailgate, giving it a distinct coupe-like road presence.

Honda launched the Acura brand in March 1986 with the first-generation Integra which was available as a 3-door or 5-door hatchback, It had a 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission.

The fifth-generation model displays trademark cues such as the embossed Integra name under the driver’s side headlight and passenger’s side taillight. First seen on the Type S Concept, Acura’s new frameless Diamond Pentagon grille gives the Integra front a purposeful and sporty character. Its unique lighting signature is updated with the ‘Chicane’ LED daytime running lights positioned above the Integra’s JewelEye LED headlights, giving an even more dramatic appearance.

Appropriately, the rear wheelarches are muscular, while an aggressive rear fascia with dual-exhaust finishers emphasizes the Integra’s wide track. Inspired by previous Integra models, the distinctive rear styling features wide, single-piece taillights with the matching ‘Chicane’ light signature.

Behind the Integra Prototype’s matte-finish 19-inch split-5 spoke wheels are oversized Brembo high-performance brakes with colour-keyed Indy Yellow calipers, providing plenty of stopping power while also having an aggressive look.

First factory turbocharged Integra
This will be the first-ever factory-turbocharged Integra, powered by a high-output 1.5-litre VTEC engine of the latest Civic Si. Enthusiasts will be happy to note that a manual transmission with 6 speeds will still be available, and there will also be a limited-slip differential.

The fifth-generation model will be built in America and priced at around US$30,000 (about RM125,000) when it appears in showrooms next year.

“The Integra is one of the most iconic models in Acura’s history,” said Jon Ikeda, Vice-President and Acura Brand Officer. “This new Integra, will continue to deliver on the original’s unique aspirational yet attainable market position, with emotional performance and style, combined with the versatility and utility sought after by today’s buyers.”

2020 Honda Civic Type R drivers can see performance data with new LogR app (w/VIDEO)

Highlights of all-new Honda City Hatchback which you can book now

The all-new Honda City Hatchback is nearing launch in Malaysia and as bookings can now be placed at authorised dealers nationwide, Honda Malaysia has provided an overview of the features available. While silent on the prices, the company has confirmed that the new model will be launched before the end of this year. It is unlikely that the prices will be far different from the latest City Sedan (RM74,191 – RM105,950) as it is also assembled locally at the plant in Melaka.

The City Hatchback, which shares the same platform as the City Sedan, replaces the Jazz which has been in the market since 2003. Based on the Thai-spec model, it is around 390 mm longer than the Jazz and 54 mm wider, but 36 mm lower. With the wheelbase at 2589 mm, there is 59 mm extra length between the front and rear wheels, which suggests that the interior should also be a bit more spacious (although the packaging in the Jazz has always been pretty good too).

Hybrid or petrol engine choices
As with the City Sedan, customers can choose the advanced hybrid electric system (e:HEV) or the conventional and proven 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC petrol engine with 121 ps (highest in class) and maximum torque of 145 Nm. The e:HEV powertrain has Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) with 2 electric motors working with a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Besides good fuel efficiency, the performance is also strong, thanks to the 253 Nm of torque which is comparable to a D-segment car with a conventional powertrain.

Incidentally, the City Hatchback assembled in Malaysia differs from the one sold in Thailand as the powertrain offered there is only a 1-litre DOHC 3-cylinder turbocharged VTEC unit. That engine produces 122 ps/173 Nm.

ULTRA Seat
The features and equipment follow those of the sedan in general, but the City Hatchback also as the added versatility of the 4-Mode ULTRA Seat in the rear. This is a variable seating arrangement which was introduced with the first generation of the Jazz in the 2003 (and also the City in the same year). The practical and innovative idea was developed by interior designers after long periods of watching people at supermarkets loading various items. They saw that there was a need for more vertical space for tall items like plants, and made it possible for the entire seat to be flipped up so that the height available would be from ceiling to the floor. This is known as the Tall Mode, which is complemented by Utility, Long, and Refresh modes for different needs.

Honda Malaysia will also offer Remote Engine Start which allows the engine to be started from outside the car, enabling the air-conditioner to be switched on to cool down the cabin before entering. Passengers at the rear will also have added comfort with cool air being brought to them via the dedicated vents.

Honda SENSING and LaneWatch
As would be expected, the City Hatchback (RS only) will have Honda SENSING, the driver assistance suite of systems. This uses front wide-angle view camera (at the top of the windscreen) to scan the road ahead of lane marking as well as other vehicles. Besides automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, it also has adaptive cruise control and control the car from moving out of its lane unintentionally. Auto High Beam is also provided to keep maximum illumination available but automatically dipping the headlights if there is approaching traffic.

Also installed as standard in the City Hatchback (RS and V versions) is Honda LaneWatch. This innovative blindspot monitoring system uses a small camera mounted on the left door mirror to capture real-time images of the area along the side of the car. The image is displayed on the centre screen whenever the left turn signal is activated and the driver can see if there is any approaching vehicle. The advantage of this approach is that the driver’s head turns left less and the image shown is also easier to see than on the door mirror which is some distance away.

“Honda is not new to the hatchback segment in Malaysia as the popular Jazz which was introduced back in 2003 has sold more than 122,000 units to date. The Jazz is well-known for its practicality and versatility, and is highly popular as one of Malaysians’ favourite urban cars. We believe, with the introduction of the All-New City Hatchback, this model will raise the benchmark to be another game-changer in the market and soon also become Malaysians’ most favourite hatchback car,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.

For more information or to place a booking for the City Hatchback, visit any authorised Honda dealership in Malaysia. To locate a showroom, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

Honda City V-SENSING added to range, priced from RM90,212.36

Even with just two months remaining of a difficult year, Honda Malaysia continues to surprise with new variants being introduced and the latest one to be announced is the City V-SENSING. This is the second variant of the latest City generation, introduced in 2020, to have Honda SENSING after the City RS e:HEV. The new variant is priced at RM90,212.36, without insurance and without sales tax (the exemption has been extended till June 30, 2022).

Honda SENSING + Honda LaneWatch
Honda SENSING, introduced with the CR-V four years ago, is an integrated suite of active safety systems which help the driver to avoid an accident, prevent or reduce the effects of a collision and also generally reduce driving stress. The systems in Honda SENSING are: Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto High Beam (AHB).

Honda LaneWatch (shown below), a camera-based blindspot system, is also standard for this variant. It uses a small camera on the left door mirror to capture images of the area along the side of the car. The imagery is displayed on the infotainment screen in real-time, providing the driver with a clear view (even at night) of the blind spot so that any approaching vehicle can be spotted.

“Safety is predominantly Honda’s priority and the City has always been the forerunner in offering safety features for both drivers and passengers using advanced technology. We are delighted to introduce this new variant to the Malaysian market, enabling them to now have more options to choose from in the City line-up with a total of 5 variants available,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director & CEO, Madoka Chujo.

“The City V-SENSING appeals to more targeted audiences such as young families or young working adults who seek for ample performance as well as advanced safety features for their daily commute. It has the most complete advanced safety features in the B-segment with an attractive pricetag that is below RM100,000. We believe this model will continue to receive much recognition for its overall package of class-leading advanced features, space, comfort and unparalleled performance,” she said.

1.5-litre i-VTEC engine
The City V-SENSING has a 1.5-litre DOHC i–VTEC engine – the most powerful in its segment – coupled with Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT). The engine output is 121 ps with maximum torque of 145 Nm, enabling the car to travel up to 18.5 kms per litre or around 750 kms per full tank.

Standard exterior features include LED Headlights and LED Day Running Lights (DRL), LED foglights, LED taillights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Premium materials inside
As with the other City variants, the interior has premium high-quality textures. The combination leather upholstery for the seats has ivory highlights for a touch of class. The infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity so many of the smartphone apps can also be brought to the dashboard and used from there.

For the driver, who has a 7-inch TFT meter display, there are paddle shifters to use when manual shifting is preferred and the Remote Engine Start allows the engine to be started from outside the car so the air-conditioning can be activated to cool down the cabin first. Rear occupants also enjoy more comfort as there are vents behind the centre console box to bring cool air to them.

“Since we launched the 5th Generation City in October 2020, we have recorded total sales of more than 23,300 units. To date, the City has contributed 34% to Honda Malaysia’s total sales between January and October 2021, making it the best-selling model in Honda Malaysia,” Ms. Chujo added.

For more information on the City V-SENSING or to test-drive Honda models in Malaysia, visit any authorized Honda dealership. The locations can be found at www.honda.com.my or by calling Honda Malaysia’s Toll-Free number at 1-800-88-2020.

New vs Old Honda City: Why current City owners should trade up!

New Honda Civic gets top safety rating from ASEAN NCAP (w/VIDEO)

Honda sets high standards of safety for all its models, and any new model that arrives in the market can usually score maximum or almost maximum points in assessments by various organisations. The latest generation of the Honda Civic is no exception and what’s more impressive is that it is the first Honda model to be assessed under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol.

Under the new protocols formulated by the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP), the Civic was rated the full 5 stars with an overall score of 83.47 points. For each category of assessment, the following: 36.59 points out of 40.00 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), 18.32 points out of 20.00 for Child Occupant Protection (COP) category, 18.16 points out of 20.00 for Safety Assist Technologies (SAT), and 10.39 points for Motorcyclist Safety (MS) category.

Specifically, for the ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 assessment protocol, Honda has taken a step upwards by equipping the Civic with a new AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) technology for Motorcycles as standard fitment in all its variants. This new technology is able to detect the presence of motorcycle that is located in front of the car and perform automatic emergency braking in the event the driver is unaware of the motorcyclist.

With the larger number of motorcycles on roads in ASEAN and a high rate of accidents involving motorcyclists, Honda has improved its detection system to recognise motorcycles and perform automatic emergency braking if necessary.

Commending Honda for developing the AEB for Motorcycles, MIROS Director-General who is also ASEAN NCAP Secretary-General and Acting Chairman, Hon. Assistant Commissioner (CD) Adjunct Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Khairil Anwar Abu Kassim said: “This is a significant milestone for vehicle safety as we are targeting to reduce the number of fatalities involving motorcyclists. As such, we are proud that vehicle manufacturers are devoting their energy in the next level of vehicle safety. With the launch of the Global Plan for the Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, we hope this will be a catalyst for more vehicle manufacturers to follow this footstep to ensure we meet the desired target.”

“Despite the pandemic situation, car manufacturers have strived to ensure the new vehicles that they are producing meet the needed safety requirements under the new ASEAN NCAP 2021-2025 protocol. I am pleased that another of Honda’s models has achieved another 5-Star rating, despite the stringent requirement the new protocol has set,” he said when commenting on the results.

He added: “The current COVID-19 pandemic situation has pushed us to be more innovative in our work, and ASEAN NCAP is no exception. We had to fully utilize whatever communication applications currently are available. Due to travelling restrictions, ASEAN NCAP performed an assessment on the new Honda Civic via video conference call.”

*11th generation Honda Civic is on sale in Thailand and progressively being introduced in other ASEAN markets.*

Even with the previous generation, the Civic already had a very high standard of active and passive safety, including the integrated Honda SENSING system. Its AEB systems cover City, Inter-Urban, Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motorcycle situations, complementing ), Child Presence Detection (CPD) and Pedestrian Protection technology. The model comes with 6 or 4 airbags, depending on the market. There is also a Seatbelt Reminder System for front and rear occupants, and Blind Spot Visualization (BSV) on the passenger side.

The new Civic, which is the 11^th generation of the model, has been launched in Thailand and is progressively being launched in other regional markets. It is likely to be launched in Malaysia in 2022 although Honda Malaysia might start giving the public a preview before the end of this year.

11th generation Honda Civic debuts in Thailand

Complete coverage around the vehicle with Honda SENSING 360

Where active safety systems like ABS, traction control and vehicle stability control used to work independently, the new approach over the past 10 years has been to integrate many of the systems, which also share sensors, to increase proactive performance. Many manufacturers have such integrated systems now and they have various names, with Honda calling its system Honda SENSING.

Honda SENSING was developed as part of the company’s long-standing R&D program to realise the global concept of ‘Safety for Everyone’. This aims to have a collision-free society encompassing all the different road-users. While the driver’s responses are still major factors in preventing an accident, Honda SENSING can also take independent action if the driver fails to do so.

The current CR-V was the first model in Malaysia to have Honda SENSING when it was introduced in 2017, Since then, Honda Malaysia has included the system with other models in its range, including the latest City (below).

For example, if sensors detect a vehicle ahead and a collision is likely to occur if the car does not decelerate or the driver does not brake, then the system will activate the brakes to bring the car to a stop before it hits the other car. During cruising at set speeds, the system can also ensure that a safe gap is maintained between vehicles by varying the speed.

With Honda SENSING, first introduced in 2014, motorists have gained an intelligent ‘co-driver’ to help with some of the driving work, making motoring safer and also reducing stress and fatigue. Now Honda has upgraded the system to Honda SENSING 360. This is an omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system which removes blind spots around the vehicle and contributes to collision avoidance and the reduction of driver burden while driving. Further evolved from the previous system, Honda SENSING 360 features an expanded sensing range not only in the front and rear, but omnidirectionally around the vehicle.

Honda SENSING 360 will be introduced next year in models sold in China, and then offered in other markets in following years. No doubt it will also be available in models in Malaysia in due course, upgrading the Honda SENSING system that was first introduced with the CR-V in 2017.

Honda SENSING 360 2022 — *The upgraded Honda SENSING 360 system has more sensors for greater situation awareness around the vehicle body.*

Honda SENSING 360, as the name indicates, provides 360-degree sensing which means complete coverage all around the vehicles. This is achieved by adding a total of 5 millimetre-wave radar sensors in front and at each corner of the vehicle, in addition to the monocular camera mounted at the top of the windscreen (already used in the present system). With the additional sensors, there is expanded sensing range which covers blind spots around the vehicle.

Advancement of Collision Mitigation Braking System
More advanced than the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) of the current Honda SENSING, the new CMBS has a broader range of detection that is expanded from in front of the vehicle to include all directions around the vehicle. When making a right or left turn at an intersection, if the system detects other vehicles or pedestrians and recognizes the risk of a collision, the CMBS will activate assist the driver in the avoidance and mitigation of a collision with the other vehicle or pedestrian.

Front Cross Traffic Warning
When the vehicle is driving at a low speed or starting from a stop at an, the system notifies the driver of information about vehicles approaching to cross the intersection from the sides and front. Should there be a risk of a collision with the crossing vehicle, the system provides audio warnings and visual warnings on the meter to alert the driver and prompt collision avoidance actions.

Lane Change Collision Mitigation
With multi-lane highways, vehicles move at varying speeds in each lane and there are also occasions when a driver may wish to overtake a slower vehicle. This requires changing lanes to get past and when executing such a manoeuvre, the system can help avoid a collision with a vehicle in the adjacent lane approaching from behind. When the system detects a vehicle approaching from the blind spot behind the vehicle, it provides audio warnings and visual warnings on the meter to alert the driver and also assist steering for collision avoidance.

Active Lane Change Assist
While driving with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and the Lane Keeping Assist System activated and when certain conditions are satisfied on a highway, if the driver activates the turn signal, the system will assist with steering for the lane change.

Cornering Speed Assist
Although ACC is a more intelligent form of cruise control, it was only applicable for straight roads. When a tight corner was encountered, the driver would have to take control and reduce speed to drive around the corner safely. With Honda SENSING 360, the system will adjust vehicle speed accordingly (if ACC is on). Using a front camera, it detects the curvature of the lane before reaching the curve and assists the driver to drive around it smoothly.

Just as systems like ABS and Vehicle Stability Assist have limitations, Honda SENSING 360 also has a limit to the capabilities (eg recognition capability and control capability). Honda reminds drivers of this and that they still need to pay attention and be ready to act accordingly. The day when the driver can be totally uninvolved in the operation of the vehicle is not here yet, but such systems are taking motorists towards it.

Honda SENSING Elite adds more advanced autonomous capabilities to Legend flagship

Black theme for special edition of Honda CR-V

Black, the bold and stealthy colour, is now available for the Honda CR-V in its new Black Edition. Available only with the CR-V 1.5 TC-P 2WD with a Crystal Black Pearl finish, the Black Edition is priced at RM161,913.99 (without insurance and without sales tax till the end of 2021). As the name indicates, black is the theme and is used in many areas such as the front grille (flanked by LED headlights), front and rear bumper garnish, and also the 18-inch alloy wheels which are finished in piano black.

Black theme inside and outside
The black theme is also used within the SUV, and the same glossy black colour is applied to the steering wheel, 7-inch Interactive TFT meter and air-conditioning garnish. For the centre console, dashboard and door trim, a black wood garnish is installed while the headlining is accented with black finishing. Naturally, the black seats also have embroidery to identify this special edition.

Turbocharged VTEC engine
The technical specifications are similar to the standard CR-V with a 1.5-litre VTEC 4-cylinder engine with a CVT. Though it seems small, with Honda Earth Dreams Technology and turbocharging, the engine can produce up to 193 ps, with the maximum of 243 Nm of torque available from 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm. That sort of output is even greater than bigger engines and the advantage, besides saving weight, is that fuel consumption can be up to 14.3 kms per litre, it is claimed. With a full fuel tank of 57 litres, that can mean a range of at least 800 kms.

Convenience features
Convenience features include keyless entry, pushbutton starting, and even Remote Engine Start that allows the owner to start the engine from outside the car. This can allow the air-conditioning to be switched on to cool the interior on a hot day.

Another very useful feature which was only available in much more expensive models before is the Hands-Free Power Tailgate. No longer is there a need to even press a button as the tailgate will open on its own by placing a foot under the rear bumper which has a sensor. It’s great when both your hands are full with grocery bags.

Full Honda SENSING suite
The current CR-V was the first model in Malaysia to have HONDA SENSING, a suite of active safety systems which assist the driver. The Honda SENSING system in the latest CR-V has been enhanced to 8 systems, in addition to other standard active and passive safety features.

*The current CR-V, introduced in 2017, was the first model to introduce Honda SENSING in Malaysia*

There’s also Honda LaneWatch, an innovative blind-spot monitoring system that uses a camera (on the left door mirror) instead of sensors on the body. The camera captures a real-time image of the area along the left side of the car and shows it on the display screen on the dashboard so the driver is aware of any other vehicle very nearby.

To date, over 43,000 units of the current generation have been sold in Malaysia, while more than 108,000 units have been sold since the model was introduced in 2003 as the first locally-assembled model by Honda Malaysia.

*The second generation of the CR-V was the first model assembled by Honda Malaysia at its own factory in Melaka in 2003.*

Dominant in non-national SUV segment
“The CR-V continues to exceed our expectations with encouraging sales and is dominating the Non-National SUV segment with 24% of market share, as of August 2021. The popularity of the CR-V attests to the model’s attractive design, elegant interior and exceptional driving performance. In view of the good market acceptance, we are introducing the CR-V Black Edition to provide more options for our customers who prefer an SUV with a full package of spaciousness, comfort, safety, performance and next-level aesthetic,” said Honda Malaysia’s Managing Director and CEO, Madoka Chujo.

For more information on the CR-V Black Edition or to locate a showroom to view and experience Honda models in Malaysia, visit www.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia offers two extra benefits for new vehicle purchasers until the end of 2021

First look at the all-new Honda Civic Si (w/VIDEO)

Like Type R, ‘Si’ has always set pulses racing for Honda fans as this designation has signified the high-performance Honda models. Young driving enthusiasts, especially in America, enjoyed the affordable high-performance for 4 decades with this model.

Now comes an all-new Civic Si which is based on the 11th generation model. Unlike previous Si models, the bodystyle is no longer that of a 2-door coupe but is a 4-door sedan only. However, it stands out not only with the exclusive Blazing Orange Pearl finish with gloss black trim but also with functional aerodynamic aids that improve its performance.

A front spoiler hidden under the car and a gloss black rear spoiler mounted on the bootlid add downforce to improve high speed stability. The upper front bumper design is more aggressive, and its rear bumper has been reshaped to reveal two large oval exhaust tips.

Better than ever before
‘Best-handling’, ‘best-equipped’ and ‘most fun-to-drive’ are used to describe the new Civic Si, and to deliver all that, it has an updated high-output VTEC 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with usefully broader power curves than before. Maximum power output is 200 ps with 260 Nm of torque.

*Previous Civic Si had 2-door coupe bodystyle which is no longer available.*

A new single-mass flywheel is 26% lighter than the dual-mass unit used in the previous Si. The flywheel’s 30% reduction in inertia gives the engine snappier throttle response for a sportier driving experience, while also improving drivability. To maximize available traction when accelerating, a helical limited-slip differential is standard at the front axle.

Manual 6-speed with rev-matching
The Civic Si comes with a manual transmission, a 6-speeder with improved shift feel and 10% shorter throws. A new, more rigid shift lever mounting bracket and a new leather-wrapped aluminium shift knob similar to the Civic Type R’s contribute to the improved feel.

For the first time, the Civic Si has a rev-matching system directly from the Civic Type R. With the same 430 m/s response time as Civic Type R in Sport mode, the new rev-matching system will ‘blip’ the throttle when it detects a downshift, quickly and perfectly matching revs for smooth transitions between gears.

In addition to Normal and Sport driving modes, the car’s updated Drive Mode system now includes an Individual mode that allows the driver to individually select engine response, steering effort, and even instrument panel display colour parameters for a more personal driving experience. Sport mode adds throttle response, decreases steering assist, deactivates the idle stop system, allows drivers to select rev match on or off, and changes the instrument accent lighting from white to red.

Improving the sound of the engine is a new dual-coil silencer exhaust system that increases exhaust flow 27% compared to Civic Touring. To complement the engine’s natural exhaust note inside the cabin, the new Civic Si uses an improved Active Sound Control system that can produce high-quality sound over a wider range of engine rpm.

Most rigid Civic Si ever
In terms of body stiffness, this is said to be the most rigid Civic Si ever. To maximize handling and driving dynamics, the spring rates are 8% stiffer in front and as much as 54% stiffer in the rear compared to the Civic Sedan. The dampers have also been tuned specifically for the Si. The front MacPherson struts have reinforced upper mounts to handle the increased cornering loads, and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars (compared to Civic Sedan) to minimize body roll.

With all that extra performance, the engineers have made sure that the Civic Si has good stopping power. It is fitted with larger brakes than the standard Civic Sedan and there are also 235/40R18 performance tyres.

Driver-focussed cabin
The driver-focused cabin has Si-exclusive body stabilizing sport seats with built-in head restraints and more prominent shoulder and lower thigh side supports. The lower cushion has been raised by about 12 mm at the front, providing better thigh support to reduce fatigue on long drives.

Outward visibility is enhanced by the pulled-back A-pillars, low bonnet, flat dashboard, low cowl and door-mounted outside mirrors,

The seat upholstery has embroidered Si logos and red contrast stitching are standard. Other sporty touches include sport pedals, and red contrast stitching. The red trim on the signature metal honeycomb dash panel of this new generation serves both form and function as it beautiful visually conceals the air vents for a clean uncluttered design.

Besides having a large 9-inch HD colour touchscreen, there is a 7-inch colour instrument display with a digital tachometer on the left side, a multi-information display in the centre and a physical speedometer dial.

11th generation Honda Civic debuts in Thailand

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