Reports have been divided on whether
the next-gen Honda City Hybrid will be offered in India with a full-hybrid
system like in other markets or with a low-cost, mild-hybrid system. According
to a new report from Autocar India, the former will likely be the case.
The new report says that the next-gen Honda City
Hybrid, as expected internationally, will likely employ the next-gen Honda Jazz
Hybrid's powertrain in India. The hybrid system in question is the new i-MMD
dual-motor hybrid system. The i-MMD system was initially developed using a
combination of a 2.0-litre petrol engine and two electric motors. However, to
lower its cost and make it feasible for C- and B-segment models, another
version using a 1.5-litre petrol engine instead of a 2.0-litre petrol engine
was developed. First applied in the 2018 Honda Insight, the low-cost version
will go next into the next-gen Honda Jazz Hybrid that will debut at the 2019
Tokyo Motor Show and then the next-gen Honda City Hybrid, likely in 2020.
While other automakers are focusing on EVs, Honda
doesn't want to skip hybrids before adopting the full fledged electric
vehicles. Honda likes to believe that while EVs might be an answer to the
future needs but the path to a fully electrified future will only be carved
through hybrids first. Recently, Honda Global CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, said,
"In light of the required infrastructure and how people use automobiles,
we believe that hybrid technology is, at this moment, the most effective way
for us to comply with CAFE standards. Therefore, we will electrify our products
mainly with hybrid technologies."
The next-gen Honda City is likely to be launched in
India in early 2020, and it could debut at Auto Expo 2020. The next-gen Honda
City Hybrid could be launched in India in 2021.
