Honda City 2020 Hatchback – is it coming?
Honda is currently busy in planning the launch of the new fifth-generation Honda City. The launch of the sedan is expected just after the coronavirus pandemic gets over.
However, today’s blog is not about the Honda City sedan but about Honda City hatchback. Recently the patent images of the Honda City 2020 hatchback were leaked across the internet that aroused the speculations of the India launch.
The blog will be answering the question of whether the City hatchback will come in India or not?
Exterior Design
First, let’s analyze the design of the hatchback. From the front, the hatchback replicates the 2020 Honda City which is obvious. The hatchback will get LED headlamps and DRLs, the grille gets the Honda’s signature horizontal chrome Strip. Coming to the side, the hatchback looks bigger than most of the hatchback. It is expected to have almost 4-meters of length similar to the most of compact SUVs. So we can presume the size as the biggest among the current hatchbacks in India. The alloy wheel design in the patented images is quite basic but we are pretty sure that they are just used for the patent.
From the rear, the taillamp design replicates the Honda City sedan but somehow reminds of the Hyundai i20. The taillamp unit seems to get all LED lights as it is now in the trend. Nevertheless, the hatchback looks quite stylish and premium.
Engine
Honda City is always known for its best in class petrol engine. So we can expect the hatchback to get the same 1.5-litre VTEC engine. The engine produces nearly 117 bhp max power and 145 Nm of peak torque. The engine then gets mated with the 5-speed manual or CVT gearbox. The advantage of the CVT gearbox is that it gets paddle shifters and that would be the first hatchback in the segment to offer.
Features
We can expect the segment trending features in the hatchback such as touch-screen infotainment, auto climate control, cruise control, auto headlamps and wiper, and much more. The leaked images show that the hatchback will also have a shark-fin antenna so we can expect in the Indian model as well.
The safety net will have dual-airbags, ABS with EBD, child ISOFIX and parking sensors as a standard feature across variants.
Pricing and Launch date
Recently Honda has discontinued their MPV, the Honda BR-V. As of now, Honda has very few vehicles in their lineup, so Honda will try to increase its portfolio in coming years. That gives us the hint that Honda City 2020 hatchback has a lot more possibility to launch in India. The pricing can be expected at around Rs 6.5 lakhs to 10-lakhs (ex-showroom). The hatchback will represent the successor of the Honda Jazz in the country. The launch should take place around the second half of 2021.
Honda City 2020 hatch Rivals
The Honda City 2020 hatchback will be on the expensive side of the segment but will offer segment-leading quality and performance. Technically, it will compete against Maruti Baleno, Tata Altroz and Hyundai i20 but due to its higher pricing, it will compete against the compact SUVs such as Mahindra XUV 300, Tata Nexon and upcoming Kia Sonet.
Comments