After throwing shade at its competitor for the past couple of weeks, Honda Malaysia has now announced that the 2020 Honda City is now available for booking. The new compact sedan will be launched in Malaysia in the fourth quarter of 2020, with a total of four variants on offer.
At the top of the table is a new RS variant, which means Road Sailing according to Honda. The RS variant will feature the new intelligent multi-mode drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain, which will be making its “world debut” for the first time on the City when the model is launched here in Malaysia.
The new i-MMD powertrain, known globally as the e:HEV, promises “high efficiency electrification combined with direct and smooth response”. With a claimed torque output of 253 Nm from the hybrid powertrain, which is a best-in-class figure, Honda Malaysia claims that the all-new City can even outrun several C- and D-segment models, such as the 2.5-litre Toyota Camry as seen in the video below.
The e:HEV hybrid powertrain, launched globally with the all-new Honda Jazz Hybrid, sports an output figure of 109 hp and 253 Nm of torque, with power transferred to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox featuring a single fixed-gear ratio.
If you prefer something a bit more conventional, the Malaysian-spec fifth-generation Honda City will also be available with a new 1.5-litre DOHC i-VTEC naturally-aspirated engine, replacing the current SOHC unit. Unfortunately, the 1.0-litre turbocharged unit that’s launched with the City’s international debut in Thailand won’t be making its way here.
As for equipment, all variants of the Honda City here in Malaysia will get LED daytime running lights and LED taillights, while the RS and V variants will be equipped with LED headlights as well. The RS and V also gets 16-inch alloy wheels, though the range-topper Road Sailing variant will have an exclusive dual-tone set, along with the blacked-out wing mirrors.
Inside, the RS and V variants once again get all the goodies, such as the Honda LaneWatch blindspot camera. Electronic parking brake though, is reserved exclusively for the RS variant.
Honda Malaysia Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Toichi Ishiyama said, “The City has proven to be an important model for Honda Malaysia, a favourite among many Malaysians for its spaciousness, practicality and safety features. Since its introduction to the Malaysian market in 2001, the model has an accumulated total sales of 351,000, […] upholding its number one position in the B-segment.
“The launch of the All-New City RS with new powertrain in Malaysia will be the world premiere and being introduced for the first time ahead of other countries. We believe that this new model will excite the market with its advanced styling and engineering as Honda continues to lead the way in pioneering benchmarks and introducing Next Generation Advanced Technology that is ahead of its time,” he added.
The 2020 Honda City is now available for booking at all 101 authorised Honda dealerships across Malaysia. Customers who pre-book the all-new Honda City will receive a service voucher worth RM1,000, under the ‘All-New City Special Early Booking Programme’ campaign.
For those who prefer to look at the car in person before placing an order, the 2020 Honda City will be on a nationwide tour starting 24 August.