A couple of weeks ago, Honda Malaysia launched the all-new City. Though only prices of the petrol models were shown, they allowed us to get up close and personal with the RS e:HEV model too.
We also got a chance to drive this variant briefly in Melaka a month back.
At the launch, we decided to shoot a ‘Sights & Sounds’ video for each of these variants. You’ll notice Honda put a lot of effort into visually distinguishing these two models. The 1.5 V features softer features, with ivory highlights on the interior, while the RS model gets multi-material seats, with red stitching and sportier trim pieces.
The City 1.5 V costs RM89,800 on-the-road without insurance, with SST. This variant gives you Auto LED headlights, LED front fog lights, 16” alloy wheels, Leather upholstery (black with Ivory highlights), Honda LaneWatch and 6 airbags. The new City also gets Remote Engine Start, 8” Display Audio infotainment unit with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a Reverse Camera, Auto Air Conditioning, Paddle Shifters and Cruise Control.
The City e:HEV RS brings quite a lot of enhancements. The new i-MMD system under the hood is all-new, combining a 1.5-litre port injected, Atkinson-cycle petrol engine that works as both a generator and a high-speed cruising motor. The system output for this vehicle is 108PS and 253Nm of torque and it gets 3.77L/100km. Here’s a bonus fact: the petrol motor itself has a power output of 98PS and 127Nm of torque, while the traction motor puts out 108PS and 253Nm of torque.
We didn’t show it, but the RS model above also adds a new, cut down version of Honda Sensing. This version uses just one ultra-wide camera as input for the system and lacks a millimeter wave radar. However, the only function that isn’t present on this version of Honda Sensing is Low-Speed Follow. Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keep Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Departure Warning, and Auto High Beam are present.
Besides that, the RS model brings a 7” digital screen to the instrument cluster, but there’s still an anologue element to it. There’s also an Electric Parking Brake with Brake Hold. Just like the City Sport Hybrid from the previous generation, this City uses an electric Servo assisted brake system.
