Honda has launched the new BS6 compliant version of the City petrol for the base V MT variant and ZX AT variant. The Japanese carmaker has converted only the petrol engine (both manual and automatic) to BS6 at the moment and has said that the BS6 compliant diesel engine will be introduced subsequently. 

The company has also introduced the Digipad 2.0 infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the V, VX and ZX variants of the City. Other features that the system offers are a satellite linked turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic support through USB and Wi-Fi receiver, voice command, messages, bluetooth handsfree telephony and audio and wireless infrared remote. Commenting on the launch Rajesh Goel, Sr. Vice President & Director, Marketing and Sales, Honda Cars Ltd, said, "Honda is committed to bring its latest and advanced environment friendly technologies to the market in line with the policy framework of Government of India. The launch of BS-6 Honda City will be followed by sequential introduction of BS-6 versions of other models in our line-up." He further added, "The new Digipad 2.0 in the Honda City will provide enhanced features, along with greater access and connectivity on the go to our customers, thereby delivering ease and convenience."

The car is powered by the same 1.5-litre i-Vtec petrol engine which is now BS6 complaint and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard while a CVT automatic gearbox is optional. The next-generation Honda City that was recently unveiled in Thailand is likely to use the same powetrian coupled with the iMMD hybrid technology. The company has also been selling the CR-V and Civic with the BS6 compliant petrol engine and will be converting its entire model line-up into BS6 ahead of the deadline.

The 2020 Honda City looks more angular than the current model, especially at the front where the flat, solid wing face is quite prominent. The chunky chrome bar meets the jewel eye LED headlamps and the three-part bumper is neatly contoured. The profile too looks sharper and a bit tort sporting a sharp character line that starts from the headlamps and merges with the wraparound taillights, covering the entire length of the car. The LED taillights too have a distinctive design with the U-shaped signature light. Honda has trimmed the wheelbase on the new City by 11 mm, despite the overall increase in length.

On the inside, the new generation Honda City gets plenty of upgrades including a new layout for the dashboard wrapped in soft-touch upholstery. The overall design is neat and houses vertical-style air vents and a larger touchscreen infotainment system in the centre. The climate control switches are positioned just below that, while the switches have been replaced with touch-sensitive controls.At the rear, the car revealed in China doesn't get an elbow rest or rear air-con vents but we expect Honda to make that addition in the India-Spec model, following the segment standards. 

The powertrain that we're expecting in the Nepalese-spec model is actually a hybrid powertrain. The 1.5-litre i-Vtec petrol engine has been coupled with the i-MMD mild-hybrid system and delivers an fuel economy of 23.8 kmpl. The new Honda City is expected to arrive in Nepal at the 2020 Auto Expo and we're expecting it to go on sale around the same time.

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