By now, you’re probably pretty familiar with the fifth-generation Honda City, which first celebrated its global debut in Thailand last November, and was later launched in Malaysia in October this year. However, there’s more news relating to City before 2020 draws to a close, as the B-segment sedan will be joined by a new hatchback body style in just a few weeks’ time.
Honda Thailand has officially announced that the City Hatchback will make its debut in the Kingdom on November 24, and this will be a world premiere for the new model. On the same day, the company will also launch the e:HEV hybrid version of the City, which we were the first to welcome globally.
News of the City Hatchback first surfaced when patent images of the model were sighted online, and a shortened City isn’t something we haven’t seen before. In China, Dongfeng Honda offers a liftback version of the previous, fourth-generation City called the Gienia.
There’s no teaser image or video to go along with Honda Thailand’s announcement, so let’s refer back to those patent images. Basically, the City Hatchback will look pretty much identical to its sedan sibling, sharing the same headlamp, grille, bonnet and bumper design. It goes on, as down the car’s flanks, we find nearly identical window and character lines, the latter of which link the lighting units.
The rear is where things differ (for obvious reason), as there’s a shorter rump that sports a tailgate rather than a boot. We also find a roofline that extends into a top-mounted spoiler and a more rakish rear window. Like the sedan, the hatchback also sports horizontal taillights that carry a similar light signature, but they are now slimmer in size to match the tailgate. If you are reminded of the W177 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, you’re not alone.
Dimension-wise, expect the hatchback to be shorter than the sedan, while retaining the wheelbase. For reference, the City in sedan guise measures 4,553 mm, 1,748 mm wide, 1,467 mm tall and has a wheelbase spanning 2,589 mm.
As for what’s going on under the bonnet, the City sedan’s 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit could be applied to the hatchback as well. On the sedan, the mill serves up 122 PS and 173 Nm, with drive going to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven virtual speeds.
Given that the e:HEV powertrain will also be offered in Thailand, the hatchback could also benefit from the two-motor i-MMD hybrid system. Referring to our market, the setup consists of a 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine rated at 98 PS and 127 Nm, which acts as a generator for a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery.
This battery powers a front-mounted electric motor that pushes out 108 PS and 253 Nm, which handles more driving situations. There’s no traditional multi-speed gearbox here, but there is a lock-up clutch and a single-speed transmission (e-CVT) that allows the engine to provide direct drive at higher speeds.
With the City Hatchback set to be introduced in Thailand, it will compete models like the Toyota Yaris and Mazda 2 Hatchback in the B-segment space. However, this raises a few questions: does this mean Thailand will skip the latest, fourth-generation Jazz? Is the City Hatchback a direct replacement for the Jazz? Will Malaysia follow suit? Look forward to the reveal on November 24.
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LIKE: Almera, Yaris, Vios and X50
DISLIKE: City Hatchback
Reincarnation of lejenn EG6 and sibik EK9…. Honda City 1.5T 190PS @@
But oil dilution always got problem
Proton Suprima turbo a better car.
Anytime bungkus all X X chinese car. Just pay more to enjoy the ride.
Anytime bungkus all honda cars. Just pay more to enjoy the ride.
RM800 monthly instalmen.. gaji bulan rm2.5k can lepas bank loan. Honda tuu
Oil dilution not an issue on hot countries such as Malaysia. And that has been fixed by a simple firmware update.
the Honda e:HEV powertrain pushes out powerful 108PS and 253Nm.
Aren’t you guys going to stop with this like/dislike?
Their decision and opinions. Come on bro. Freedom of speech
So true brah. All sick with flip flop garment..
Congrats PaulTan you’re on Autospies but they spelt your name wrongly…pultan…
Honda City Hatchback selling btw 70k to 80k matched to the Toyota yaris… but Iriz FL surely the best hatchback & most fun driving btw 45k to 55k..many overseas carbuyers envied with our homegrown Proton Iriz, not available there. Can only buy as reconds….
After witnessing the success of Iriz R5, many UK car enthusiast wants to buy Iriz officially. Maybe its time P1 goes back into UK.
So instead of getting Japan developed Jazz, Honda will be going the route of Toyota by offering ASEAN City with the boot shortened and calling it Jazz. I still can’t forgive Toyota for giving us the inferior Yaris when they are selling TNGA Yaris elsewhere.
But at least Yaris doesn’t look so inferior, looks more better. Proton X50 looks more better. The same goes to Mazda, more premium and more better. But City hatchback and even Jazz also looks more inferior
Honda design getting worst
Lawa gitew Takumi ae86 decals…Fujiwara Tofu Shop.
Honda City Wagon inKambing
Banyak face-lift for H City in few years.. Please put priority on safety, quality and after sale service.. Aduhai.. Always aim for sale target purpose..
This City hatchback is replacing the KATAK Honda Jazz.Looks more agressive and styling than sedan City.If this City hatchback come to Malaysia and get Honda Sense and Vtec Turbo engine,take my money Honda
Now that the City sedan’s ass looks like BMW 3-series, this City hatchback’s ass looks like the new Merc GLA…
I LIKE…!!!
Both City and City hatchback look like ah beng
GG lah yaris…
Gg lah City hatchback
Honda City small roda Wagon
Good for logistic cum grocer car
Maybe it’s good.
Good logistic design should have a full size spare tyre, with good boot size.
Even tofu drift car keeps drift tyre at boots, toyota86 designed to fit 1 set of spare tyres, instead of 1 tyre.
The boot should be practical, need larger than Proton X50 which sadly, has smallest boot in market, and with ayam spare tyre. Despite RM 103k AEB + 3k for power tailgate but not hands-free auto lift.
Proton X50 which RM 103k only. apelagi mau…
Panoramic sunroof, powered sunblind, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) + AEB + ACC + ICC + LKA + LDW + BLIS + Auto Park Assist…. Sama specs in BMW X2 M35i RM398,800.
At least be practical
Choose X70 better,
X70 don’t have those? Or less powerful?
Aiyoyo, kosong ka?
And the tyre rims is very tiny. Think needs to redesign for both interior and exterior for City, City Hatchback, the same goes for Jazz.
Got paddle shifters or manual option?
Rest in peace global models.
honda car and service quality is bad in Malaysia
Why no deepavali wish from paultan..rasist meh
Is it safe to say that the new Honda Jazz wont be coming to Malaysia? :(
hohoho very very interesting, im guessing honda jazz will resume on 2022
Funny all this while Jazz is the City hatch