Almost a year after making its world debut in Thailand, the Honda City Hatchback is all set to make its Malaysian debut within the coming months.
How do we know this? Well, Honda Malaysia released a teaser video of the City Hatchback earlier today titled “this is it”, announcing that it is coming soon.
Coming to replace the Honda Jazz, the City Hatchback is 208 mm shorter and 21 mm taller than the Sedan, while the length of the wheelbase remains the same at 2,589 mm. The only other difference is that the hatch loses the boot.
Not much was revealed in the 10-second long teaser video, but from what we can see, the car in the teaser is the RS e:HEV hybrid variant, which will be powered by an intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) powertrain that produces 109 PS and a class-leading 253 Nm of torque.
Whether our market will be getting the regular non-hybrid versions powered by the 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC powertrain and a CVT producing 121 PS and 145 Nm remains unknown for now.
However, since the arrival of the RS variant is confirmed, let us have a look at what the sedan version of the City RS e:HEV has to offer, as both versions are identical in terms of features.
Key features on the exterior includes a gloss black front grille, a lower front grille, a new rear bumper with diffuser, a new gloss black trunk spoiler and new gloss black door mirrors that give a sporty two-toned impression of the body colour.
Further complementing the appearance of the car are the new LED Headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), New LED Fog Lights with Garnish, New LED Taillights as well as Dual-Tone 16-inch Alloy Wheels.
Inside, this variant features a 7-inch Interactive Thin Film Transistor (TFT) Meter that accentuates the high-quality design. It also comes with Sport Pedal Pads that provides a sportier feel and is fitted with Ultrasuede Seats and Red Stitching at interior areas. An 8-inch Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Connectivity is also available in this variant.
The All‑New City RS e:HEV is the first model amongst Honda’s line-up to be furnished with an innovative Honda CONNECT technology which utilizes smart Telematics Technology, providing an advanced and integrated 24-hour communications system. It also functions to ensure Safety, Security & Convenience to Honda car owners.
With the arrival of the Honda City Hatchback, it is certain that the funky all-new Honda Jazz we saw at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show will not make it to this part of the world, because it is going to be impossible to sell the all-new Jazz at an affordable price here, as it is quite futuristic, tech-laden, and of course fully imported.
Whether Honda Malaysia’s plant in Pegoh, Melaka is ready to locally assemble the all-new Jazz is another question.
So, just like other cool import Hondas that find their way here through grey importers like the Honda N-Box and the Honda S660, the all-new Jazz is most likely to go through the same fate – reconditioned and sold at some nonsensical price.
