Honda Malaysia is certainly not short on bravado. First, it made the bombshell announcement that Malaysia will be the first country in the world to offer the new City with the Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid powertrain. The company has swiftly followed it up with a bold (or crass, depending on whether you’re a competitor) new advertisement for the car, which is being compared with some big names.
Not only does Honda show the City off against its main rival, the Toyota Vios, but it also spends much of the running time pitting the hybrid model head-to-head against a car two segments up – the Camry. The City is seen effortlessly overtaking the D-segment sedan on both the highway and at low speeds, despite the Camry driver ejecting his passengers in a desperate attempt to make the car lighter and faster.
The City then goes up Fraser’s Hill, making a mid-corner pass on a Perodua Bezza along the way. It arrives at a cafe at the top with time to spare, comfortably beating the Camry. So why is Honda making such obvious namechecks of its competition? Because, it says, the City has more torque than any of them, at 253 Nm.
By comparison, the Bezza has 121 Nm, the Vios has 140 Nm and even the Camry “only” has 235 Nm. In the comparison chart above, it even made a mention (in all but name) of the forthcoming Nissan Almera, which makes 152 Nm from its 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine.
So how does the City produce that figure? The i-MMD system relies on two electric motors, one of them being a starter/generator integrated with the 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle i-VTEC engine. On its own, the latter produces 98 PS from 5,600 to 6,400 rpm and 127 Nm from 4,500 to 5,000 rpm.
But the engine is only there mainly as a generator, either charging a lithium-ion battery or juicing the second electric motor. Most of the time, it’s this second motor that drives the car – it makes 80 kW (109 PS) and the headline 253 Nm of torque. This gives the City one of the main benefits of a fully-electric vehicle, namely instant torque when accelerating from a standstill.
Removing the internal combustion engine from the equation of moving the car also means that acceleration is more linear, with a smoother transfer of torque – or at least, that’s what Honda claims. It also removes the need of a planetary gearset (an electronic continuously variable transmission, as most hybrid carmakers call it), making the whole system more compact and refined compared to other hybrid systems.
The engine is connected to the wheels, however – a single-speed transmission and a lock-up clutch allow it to provide motive power at higher speeds, where it is at its most efficient. Understanding how the i-MMD system works is key to understanding how the magic 253 Nm is derived from, and why it’s not the walkover victory over the Camry that Honda Malaysia makes it out to be.
Of course, the City will feel much more sprightly coming off the line because all that torque comes in from zero revs. However, the performance of an electric motor tapers significantly the faster you go, so that surge of torque won’t be quite so pronounced once you actually get going.
In any case, the Camry still has a significant 74 PS power advantage at 184 PS, so even with a lot less weight to carry, the City is not exactly going to run away from the Toyota in a drag race. Honda has yet to provide performance figures, but the Jazz e:HEV – which uses the same powertrain – has a claimed zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time of 9.4 seconds.
Toyota has also not given a sprint time for the latest Camry, but the previous-generation car – which used the same 2.5 litre Dual VVT-i engine and six-speed automatic gearbox – was quoted at 9.7 seconds from zero to 100 km/h. The new one is slightly torquier and more powerful but is also heavier, so it should even out. The City will probably still be quicker, yes, but perhaps not appreciably so.
This slim advantage fizzles out at higher speeds, where the City locks out the electric motor and runs only on the petrol engine, with less power and far lower torque. This deficit is most apparent when looking at the top speeds – the old Camry could run on to 210 km/h, whereas the new Jazz hybrid is out of puff at 174 km/h.
Before you come at us in the comments, yes, we know that looking at the bald figures isn’t the best way to assess performance, and that the electric motor will mean that the City will feel a little bit punchier in most driving conditions. And this article certainly takes nothing away from the incredibly clever i-MMD powertrain, which looks to deliver good performance and frugal fuel economy.
And yes, it’s commendable that the City can even be compared on the same page as a far more expensive car, and it should be much quicker than its similarly-priced rivals. But maybe you should think first the next time you say your City can “smoke” a D-segment car.
GALLERY: Honda City RS 1.0 VTEC Turbo in Thailand
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Crap la HM for bullying the Bezza. Perodua and Toyota should come up with a multi year maintenance to show how cheap it compares to the City especially when the battery gives way.
Hmm that can overrun 316i too
Abang-abang City rasa syiok Vtec kicked in yo
I can’t believe that they actually compare their City with other segment cars like Perodua Bezza and Toyota Camry in this advertisement video, what’s Honda thinking? Also, game changer?? More like this car is a game over to me. The Vios will still outsell City and don’t forget there is a Vios FL model coming to wipe out this all new City
vtec dinasuaur, kick in but piston damaging and consume engine oil, leaking.
A lot of people still don’t understand how this i-mmd technology works. It is not the same as other typical hybrid out there. Should do research before criticising it.
Why do you worry, our P2 sales dude? Unlikely incoming City will threaten much your Beza sales.
a wise one once said…
If you know you are going to die, go all out shouting and defaming your enemies before you die.
hmm, looks like the case here.
however, another wise one said…
If you pull an angry tiger’s tail, be very sure why you are pulling its tail.
Fight with Myvi. Confirm Myvi wins especially yellow Myvi/
Yellow pikachu will need a turbo to come anywhere close to that acceleration, but if so the bottomline power will be a lot different haha
Hyundai Ioniq better all around compare to this Honda City
Game changer in it’s segment
Game over in it’s segment*
Putting Bezza in that spot is just plain, stupid. Different segment and price bracket completely. Siapalar yang buat iklan ini?
Of course bolehland pipu, coz they want it fast like felali, big boot like accord, save fuel like kancil, so here you are, the new i-mmd city. Apa lagi lu mau?
Its always nice to see carmakers introducing something new to our market.
It is an acknowledgement of our purchasing power and know how on cars.
Good to see a proper RS model with the torque to boot.
Because HRV-RS is heavier and less quick than the regular model because of the heavy rims
( honda sells hrv sport in UK with 1.5 turbo and 6 speed manual box)
hopefully the next HR-V RS comes with the same powertrain.
Does the battery takes up the boot space? Or its under the rear bench?
https://paultan.org/2020/08/14/new-honda-city-now-open-for-booking-in-malaysia-world-debut-for-city-rs-i-mmd-variant-in-q4-2020/
Honda dont dare to kacau Proton X70 1.8Turbo
Takut Proton die hard fans tu
Excuse me, that thing you mentioned, it’s a sedan???
Pakailah akal sikit.
Same Company la DRB tak nak kacau market huhu
But different standards even though both same company. Mostly, Honda is under oriental berhad while DRB didn’t contribute much on Honda
Honda City perggghh… rugi besar kalo tak beli.
Again, not everyone actually need such a “Fast” car, but I believe we do need a safe to drive car as that should be more important than anything else. Increase the cost for i-MMD….why not included Honda Sensing or at least make it an optional.
Op for ego? Or safety?
We need a choice, right HONDA?
“Again, not everyone actually need such a “Fast” car”
Exactly! For most people a Camry is enough!
the question is – who want a Honda Hybrid ?
I wonder why Persona not make a cameo here. DRB-HICOM?
Why would HM compare with another car only to lose out? That’s a marketing own goal right there.
Of course laaa under one roof DRB HICOM. That is why Proton Persona and VW Vento not in the video. Under UMW semua kena kaw2
They compared to inferior cars, very normal. They don’t compare to a superior one.
Kudos to Honda Malaysia for such a ballsy ad. I give it some kudos there. Well done.
If only they approached their product reliability and quality with such bravado. And some action on service centre satisfaction.
Love it when the car makers are teasing each other. Not everything need to be serious.
Hmmmm, looks like they are gonna keep honda sensing for the facelifted model 2 years later. hahahahahahh
Kebodohan till max.
No 1.0 turbo? such as huge disappointment. at least HM should bring in the turbo version and the hybrid version.
Its a 3 cylinder . Why bother? It does not have the refinement of a 4 cylinder and it vibrates. The turbo lag is bad due to low displacement, it only gets full boost above 2000rpm. That engine exist only for countries that tax high on emissions. Most important, it runs on timing belt in oil. Not timing chain. Nobody knows what is the maintenance like.
Wah, so Honla so powderful. CX5 also kena tapau (0:31&0:34)
Hyundai Ioniq better since price not much diffrent,if compare : price/hp/torque/space.
interesting commercial, see this quite often in the US where one brand can openly compare themselves to another brand. However, is this actually allowed in Malaysia?
Sound like desperation.
Honda M’sia (new City) : ” Time’s up, oji-san. ”
UMW Toyota (Vios) : ” Bring it, kid. ”
Tan Chong Nissan (new Almera) : ” I ain’t dead yet old man. ”
UMW Toyota : ” You will be soon. Let’s finish this ! ”
Proton (new X50) : ” Yes, the big guys are distracted.. now’s my chance ! ”
Perodua : * grabs popcorn *
Sime Darby Ford : ” So what ? Sedans are supposed to be dead… right ? ”
Nasim Peugeot : ” And SUVs are the future ! ”
Bermaz Mazda : ” Doesn’t matter, our cars have soul ! ”
Tan Chong Subaru : ” And we’ve got AWD everything ! ”
Mitsubishi M’sia : ” And our trucks are bulletproof ! ”
Volkswagen M’sia : * nervous laughter *
Mercedes-Benz M’sia : ” Amateurs. ”
BMW M’sia : ” Tell me about it. ”
Volvo M’sia : ” mhmm. ”
Naza Kia and Sime Darby Hyundai : ” Hey guys, what did we just miss ? “
Don’t worry, since honda already lanci to all their rivals, they will come back very soon
Entry level champion: Axia, Bezza, Myvi, Saga.
Mid upgrader: Yaris, HRV, City, X50, BRV, D55L
Exec family ride: Civic, CRV, X70, CX5, Serena.
Correction
Perodua : * lonely cries with nothing on hand *
This is a series-type hybrid, made popular by Vauxhall Ampera @ Chevrolet Volt.
Even proton has this known as Saga REEV and Exora REEV some 10 years ago.
Kereta yang bakal mendominasi fast lane and cucuk2 bontot orang menggantikan maibi
Bersedialah wahai rakyat malaysia
Already disliking the car because of such ego ad
And for the award of the stupidest ads in decades, goes to Honda.
Is it still using rear drum brakes
And got many compromise QUALITY products.. Should promote and market SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY, instead of speed killer.. Stupidity ADS of the brainless organisation who want to capture market growth here. If you see Honda sales in many, which country is top sales??
Stay away from hybrid cars.It’s hitech & have complex engine.Maintenance charges & parts replacement are not cheap.You need to understand how it’s work.Some components & parts are different from normal regular engine.Think twice
Continue buying Wira with carburetor configuration. No electronics at all. No fuel injection, no ECU, nothing.
The iVtec would not work if Honda’s ECU is dead. It’s riddled with electronics too.
If torque kicks-in process repeated thousands of time in short period of time……..the engine surely kong, other than fuel pump kong.
Nice….i cant wait to see what other brand come out with as a response.
Honda looks cheap with this type of adverstisement…you dont have to do this to show you are good..grow up kid..your service quality is bad that you have to resort to this..malaysian standard of business ethic is now becoming like china and suprisingly this coming from Japanese brand like Honda..
When my 4 years old absorbers fail to claim warranty from Honda, I am totally not interested in whatever so the power of dream. It just Power of Nightmare to own the unreliable Honda car. Good luck those are still owning Honda or considering to buy Honda car.
The one Honda City should be bully is a Nissan Note.
Yeah , Honda not need to show until like that ! If ur car is good , ppl will buy , I heard a lot of complain on quality and service side which u should improve rather then show this advertisement! So far tak shot no issue on my Honda Crv ,
Touch wood, bro. Touch wood
Stupid comparison with Bezza. How about compared with Subaru WRX. Sure will smoke the City…
In reality, camry owner wont behave like that and mostlikely owning that restaurant and this whole ads is about an imagined dream of that City owner.
This ads is a bit naive from my point of view. Or that camry driver is a hired driver of a boss or son of a the boss that curi drive his father’s car.
aiya, why didn’t include Ferrari and Bugatti?
Safety features x mau highlight?
The car brand that Honda Cita “overtaken”, in case you didn’t notice
Toyota Camry, Vios
Mazda CX5, Mazda6
Perodua Myvi, Bezza
Nissan Almera
LOL.. Toyota Vios driver go shopping 1st.
just look at the complaints by customers against honda malaysia, quality sucks with bad customer service but good in advetising gimmicks only
Try fight jetta highline 2018. Dont compare to vios 1.5na.. it doesnt have hybrid
That magic performance will only available if battery has enough charge, if battery finish power then petrol performance only
Too bad my old Peugeot 408 T does 0-100 in 8 flat
All toyota,perodua owners butthurt..cant accept lil city beat their cars..haha
Honda:Shows off that their city has vtec kicked in yo
Previous City fans:Imma head out
Tak malu punya ad. No class at all! Based on that horsepower they claimed, CIVIC and Accord are also useless! So busy with pulling Toyota down coz they’re always no.2 behind Toyota in Japan and most countries.
And oh, before you bash Camry, take a look at your own pathetic new Accord.