After heavily bleeding its market share to its competitors, Honda finally announced that it will be producing a smaller capacity diesel for hatchbacks and small sedans.

The technology powering this new diesel engine is quite innovatively titled – Earth Dreams.

Autocar UK reports that its only a matter of time before we get to see the first glimpse of this engine. Honda will reveal this long-awaited small capacity diesel engine at next month’s Geneva motor show under the hood of the European Civic. In this avatar, the engine will be a 1,596cc unit producing 118bhp at 4,000rpm and 300 NM of Torque at 2,000rpm.

Honda claims that it will be lightest engine in its class will produce less than a 100g/km of CO2. Although no figures have been revealed of the fuel economy, Honda says that it be provide optimum fuel efficiency as well as excellent performance.

The new engine is set to be the first in a family of new engines that will be released over the next three years. These engines, of varying capacities, will make their way to India into the hoods of Honda’s Indian portfolio.

[Source: Autocar.co.uk]

Many important components were supposed to be shipped from Thailand to India for the production. However, due to the floods, most Honda plants were shut for several months. It did not show new editions of the Civic and CR-V or make announcements at the Auto Expo as if to say it is consolidating and directing its efforts on areas that need immediate attention.

As a result of the Thai floods, the waiting period on its products shot up by nearly 6 months. The situation was so nasty that Honda has to stop accepting orders from interested customers. Honda Siel India was sitting on an order book of 7,500 Brios, 4,000 Jazzs and 2,000 units of the New Citys with no output.

If you were one such customer, there is definitely some good news for you. Honda Siel has managed to secure alternative supplies from Japan and China, which will enable Honda resume full-fledged production and cut the waiting period for its cars.

Jnaneswar Sen, senior VP sales -

Now that we have secured alternative sources of supplies, we hope deliver as many cars as possible to our waiting City, Jazz and Brio customers

Once the production peaks, Honda will take decision on setting up a production line at its second plant in Tapukara, Rajasthan.

Source: TheEconomicTimes

The next generation Accord is another important model for Honda in India as that segment is seeing a model flood. Dust sheets came off Hyundai’s, Toyota’s and Peugeot’s rival vehicles (Sonata, new Camry and 508) at the Auto Expo last week. Nissan has updated the Teana and Volkswagen is making people take notice of the fuel-saving BlueMotion technology on the Passat. Ford’s next generation Mondeo, which we’re told is India bound, is on view at the same venue as Honda’s concept.

Honda has confirmed three engines for the new Accord – A 2.4 liter four-cylinder making 181hp/240 Nm mated to either a six-speed manual or a CVT, the 2.0 liter producing 161 HP “helped” by an electric motor and a 6 kWh lithium-ion battery, with an electric CVT and finally the 3.5-liter V6 for the power junkie with 301hp/359Nm bolted to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.

We’re not entirely confident about the authenticity of this article as the next generation Jazz is scheduled for a late 2013 debut. If the underpinnings of the Jazz change, the addition is not going to use the outgoing model’s parts.

The Mag-X report citing inside sources claims the new model breaks cover in August 2014 and production is planned in China, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico and Japan.

Companies have identified a huge potential untapped in the Indian market for mini SUVs/Crossovers. Companies are either presenting concept cars or production models at the Auto Expo this week. We’d be interested in understanding what Honda makes of this situation. The immediate focus will be to fill up gaps in the sub 10 lakh rupee segments – a sedan between the Brio and Jazz (Dzire rival), a mini crossover between the Jazz and City (Duster, EcoSport rival) and perhaps a 7 seat MPV above the City (Ertiga and Innova competitor) will go a long way in helping Honda widen its footprint in India.

[Source - Mag-X and NoticiasAutomotivas.com.br]

However the Honda Civic facelift launching by late 2012 is not because of the aforementioned reasons. Since its launch in early 2011, there has been a stream of complaints on the car’s handling, brakes and material choices. The previous generation Civic raised the bar on many fronts, the interiors especially were mesmerizing at the time of launch.

Honda’s said to have taken a low-cost approach with the new Civic and that has kicked off a rage among disappointed Honda enthusiasts, especially in the American market. Honda is working on an update to rectify some of these so-called problems for a late 2012 launch. At this time it is not clear if cosmetic changes are part of the upgrades.

Honda is tight-lipped about the new Civic’s Indian chapter. At some point in 2012, we see Honda introducing the successor. Like many other car manufacturers have done recently, the Civic’s launch strategy could start with petrol variants followed by diesel models in 2013 when it is available.

[Source - WorldCarFans.com]

But Honda has already launched the new CR-V in USA with a lot of enthusiasm and marketing dollars. In this commercial, they are promoting a new concept called a ‘Leap-List’.

Don’t know what it is? Have a look to find out!

The Honda City facelift was launched in New Delhi today. The facelifted version receives a handful of tweaks and each and every one of them are based on results of customer study. Bookings of the new City have begun but deliveries start only in mid-January.

After the natural calamities in Japan earlier this year production at the Noida facility slipped to 50% only to be upset again by the Thai floods. Honda then had to stop production of Jazz and Brio due to supply constraints. Honda says production of these two models will resume in February next year.

The City is not affected by the situation and components have been sourced from China and Japan to meet demand. Besides, Honda has reached a better localization level to continue production.

The Honda City was introduced in the Indian market back in 1997. The first generation City was facelifted twice in the year 2000 and 2001 after which the second generation City was launched in 2003. This model underwent revisions first in 2005 and then in 2007. The third generation City, launched back in 2008, received its first facelift today.

On this model, Honda has introduced features such as electric sunroof and cruise control. The top-end model gets new 10-spoke alloy wheels and the old 5-spoke alloy wheels are shifted to the lower models. New front and rear bumper (with reflectors) add to its sporty character, the chrome grill, tail lamps and ORVMs with turn indicators are among other exterior changes.

Two new colours have been inducted. The prices have not been increased drastically and with the addition of a new corporate model, which is approx Rs.50,000 cheaper than the old ‘E’ version making it even more affordable.

Chrome is present on the door handles, instrument panel and on select switches. The new improved combimeter now has a cool blue backlight, and the along with the trip meter, you can view readings like current fuel consumption, distance to zero, etc.

List of new features on the facelifted City

• Electric Sunroof
• Cruise control
• Front chrome grill
• New front bumper
• Rear bumper with reflectors
• New tail lamps
• ORVMs with turn indicators
• 10 spoke alloy wheels on the top model (V) and 5 spoke alloy wheels on the lower models
• Chrome finished instrumental panel
• New Combimeter graphics (Blue)
• Enriched audio panel with chrome finished dials
• Chrome inside door handles
• Improved ground clearance 165mm (+5mm)
• Corporate model gets black interior and others beige
• Two new colours
  Fuel Economy – Manual Transmission – 16.8kmpl, Automatic Transmission – 15.6kmpl

Here are some of the popular questions Honda management answered

Q. Any diesel engine plans in the immediate future?

Ans. NO

Q. Will the entertainment system be upgraded to match the one on the Honda Civic and Accord?

Ans. There are no such plans.

Q. How come the lowest model now costs approx. 50k less than the old City base model?

Ans. That is because of the introduction of the new model namely, the Corporate Edition.

Q. How was the initial response for the Brio?

Ans. Honda attracted 7,500 contracts within a couple of weeks of the launch of Brio.

Q. With the appreciation of Yen and the depreciation of Rupee, can we expect any price increase in the near future?

Ans. No, the Honda City is highly localized so that should not affect its price.

Q. What is the percentage of current localization of the Honda City?

Ans. Approx. 76%

Q. What is the percentage of the components the Honda City shares with the Honda Jazz?

Ans. 60%

Honda City facelift Image Slideshow

Can’t view the slideshow above? Head over to the Honda City Facelift Images page to view the gallery

Honda City facelift exterior additions

• New chrome grille
• Restyled front & rear bumper
• New tail lights
• 10 spoke alloys
• Improved ground clearance, now stands at 165 mm

Honda City facelift interior additions

• New fabric seats
• Center control panel
• Chrome fittings
• Blue meter

Honda City facelift extras

• Sunroof
• Cruise control
• Turn indicators on ORVM
• Introduction of Corporate edition for value customers
• Two new colors – Carnelian pearl red and Sparkling brown metallic

Honda City facelift price (ex-showroom New Delhi)

• Corporate Edition – 6.99 lakh
• E – 7.70 lakh
• S – 8.20 lakh
• V MT (Manual Transmission) – 8.70 lakh
• V AT (Automatic Transmission) – 9.42 lakh
• V MT with sunroof and leather seats – 9,50,500 rupees
• V AT with sunroof and leather seats – 10,22,800 rupees

Honda City facelift brochure