Word out there in the ASEAN media is that the India-bound 2020 Honda City will have its world premiere in November 2019. This means that the next-gen model is just about a month away from making its first official appearance.
The latest rumour is that Thailand will host the world premiere of the next-gen Honda City, and too before the 2019 Thai Motor Expo that will open on 24 November. After all, it's the country where the car has been designed and its R&D has taken place. In India, expect the launch to coincide with the local premiere at Auto Expo 2020. Road testing in our country has already commenced.
The 2020 Honda City will sport a completely revamped front fascia with new headlamps, redesigned front bumper, wider grille and a slightly bigger Honda logo. Spy shots suggest some level of influence of the tenth-gen Honda Accord in the fresh design. On the inside, too, a completely new design is expected. It should pack a slew of new/enhanced comfort and convenience creatures including wireless charging, new touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and connected car solutions.
The Thai-spec next-gen Honda City is expected to be launched with a 1.0-litre VTEC Turbo petrol engine (120 PS/200 Nm) mated to a 6-speed MT or CVT and in a Hybrid variant with the i-MMD system that uses a 1.5-litre iVTEC petrol engine and two electric motors.
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In India, expect the 2020 Honda City to be offered with BS-VI 1.5L i-VTEC petrol and BS-VI 1.5L i-DTEC diesel engine options. As standard, these engines will be linked to a 5-speed manual transmission and a 6-speed manual transmission respectively. A CVT option will be available with both these upgraded engines. A hybrid variant is said to be launched in 2021, although there's no clarity on the level of electrification yet. Some reports have spoken of a full-hybrid powertrain like in the international markets, while others have refuted those claims and speak of a lower cost, mild-hybrid powertrain.
[Source 1: Headlightmag.com]
[Source 2: Team-BHP]
