Honda City e:HEV launched alongside the City Hatch in Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR: Yes, you read it just right, the all-new City hatch we talked about a few days ago has finally arrived. But the big news is that it didn't come alone. Following it is the City sedan's hybrid version - the City e:HEV. It is the same City hybrid version that made its world premiere in October in Malaysia.

Coming to the details, the Thai launched City e:HEV mostly benefits from the same specs & variant as the Malaysian model.

In the Land of Smiles, Honda is offering the City e:HEV model in one single trim option, the RS model. Priced at 839,000 bath (approx 113,100), it is priced more than the standard RS model which goes for 739,000 bath (RM 99,700).

Powering the City hybrid model is a 1.5-litre Atkinson-cycle DOHC i-VTEC mill making a maximum power of 98 PS from 5,600 to 6,400 rpm along with a peak torque of 127 Nm from 4,500 to 5,000 rpm. Besides, the hybrid version gets the smallest version of the company's Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) system that comes with an electric motor (108 PS/253Nm) that drives the wheels.

The hybrid sedan misses out on a traditional gearbox, however, the petrol engine can seize the power via a single-speed transmission to offer direct drive at higher speeds. Honda claims the City e:HEV to offer a mileage of 27.8 kmpl.

The City e:HEV benefits from several add-ons over its petrol sibling. For example - a 7-inch instrument cluster, rear air-con vents, and steering wheel with paddles to adjust the amount of regenerative braking. It is also the only model that benefits from Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assist features, including automatic high beam, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane centring assist. The Thai-spec model also gets LaneWatch blind-spot camera

On the styling front, it features a unique face that packs a sleek honeycomb grille with gloss black bar, straked fog lamp surrounds, carbon fibre front bumper lip, black tailgate spoiler, rear diffuser, and OVRMs with gloss black finish.

Honda City e-HEV standard features include -

• LED lighting all around (headlamps, fog lamps, and taillights)
• Keyless entry with remote engine start
• Walk-away automatic locking
• Push-button start
• 8-inch infotainment touch display with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay support
• 8 speakers
• Single-zone automatic climate control
• Reverse camera

Honda City e-HEV safety features -

• 6 airbags
• Stability control
• ABS with EBD & brake assist

Honda City e-HEV colour options include -

• Obsidian Blue Pearl (exclusive to Thai model)
• Ignite Red Metallic
• Platinum White Pearl
• Crystal Black Pearl
• Lunar Silver Metallic
• Modern Steel Metallic

As for the Honda City hatch and hybrid version local debut, we hope it makes its entry sooner than later.

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