By T Murrali 

Taking much attention to the details to make the car more Indian, Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL), has come out with its fifth generation Honda City in India. It was first introduced in India in January 1998. Now in its new avatar, the car that was launched recently, has retained its original authentic shape of the sedan while reinventing itself according to the needs and aspirations of its customers across India. Available in three grades V, VX and ZX, the price of the ASEAN NCAP 5-star rated car ranges from INR 10.9lakh to INR 14.65lakh.

Developed at Honda R&D Centre located in Tochigi, Japan following extensive market surveys in India, ASEAN countries and other markets for people’s driving needs and lifestyles, the new car has been introduced in both petrol and diesel, powered by ‘earth dreams technology’ range of BS-VI compliant powertrains.

The 1.5L i-VTEC DOHC petrol engine with VTC delivers 89 kW (121PS) @6600 rpm 145 Nm@1750 rpm torque, with quicker torque increase at lower engine speed. Mated with 6-speed manual transmission and the new 7-speed CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) the vehicle offers fuel efficiency of 17.8 kmpl and 18.4 kmpl respectively.

Mated with 6-speed manual transmission the 1.5L i-DTEC diesel variant delivers 73 kW [100 PS] @ 3600 rpm power, 200 Nm @1750 rpm torque and fuel economy of 24.1 kmpl. Application of advanced exhaust gas after-treatment system with NSC (NOx Storage Catalyst) and DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) has been done to meet the challenging target of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission in case of diesel engines.

At the launch programme the Chief Engineer, Large Project Leader, Honda Motor Corporation, Satoru Azumi, said, failure was not an option as there was pressure of 1.3billion Indians in his mind. Honda equals City in India but the new Indian customers needed something more. “We decided that the new City should be able to stand out in traffic. Therefore, the design has to have presence. What we have created is an interior space that make the user feel more space than what is actually there. Innovation at Honda is about doing and creating things that are yet to be.”

The inspiration for the new City is ‘Standing on the edge,’ which is designed to stand out in the crowd. The character line with advanced lighting and sharp edge, presence of tyres, low centre of gravity and sleek cabin motion.

Child’s View

The process that the Honda team followed to design the car began with asking six year old children to draw their vision of a car; to their surprise all of them drew sedans. So the team started with recreating the child’s understanding of a car. For the exterior the team was guided by the concept of ‘Standing on the edge.’ The entire body is shaped with the sharp edge character line right from the front to the rear. The sharp horizontal character line on the sides of the car is inspired by Katana blade (a Japanese sword) designed on the concept of cutting edge light. The profile creates its signature presence during day and night as well.

The technique of using a lower and longer trunk for large size category sedan was applied to make the car look even longer, eventually making the City a fusion sedan. This was the ambition of the team. “I am really competing with six year old kids,” Azumi said.

Conceptualised to carry forward its legacy, deliver supremacy and exceed the previous benchmark by offering a superior value proposition to its customers, the new City has been expanded making it the longest and widest sedan in its segment. The car is 4549 mm in length (109mm more than earlier generation) and 1748 mm in width (53 mm more). The height of the new model stands at 1489 mm and wheelbase of 2600 mm.

For the interiors the design team followed Sokai (evacuation in Japanese parlance) concept that makes the surroundings easy to see while driving. It creates a cabin more open while being secure. The focus was to minimise visual noise so that there is no distraction for the driver. The front-hood invisible length has been reduced by 42 percent, improving visibility further.

For The Saree Clad Women

The graceful way of sitting by a saree clad woman is usually cross-legged. As the folds of the saree around the feet should not get crumbled, the design team created more legroom in the rear. In addition, it adopted a scooped out frame for the front seats to create additional space. This helped in increasing the foot space width by 26mm and 31mm in the forward direction. By adopting a new frame for the front seat, the rear seat legroom and knee clearance were expanded. Besides, it optimised the torso angle. Considering the hot and humid weather conditions in India the seats have been given breathable fabric.

Connected Services

To make it contemporary it takes a huge leap in Connected Car Services with Next Generation of Honda Connect available as a standard offering across all grades along with a 5-year free subscription. It is India’s first connected car with Alexa remote capability and is equipped with next-generation Honda connect with Telematics Control Unit (TCU) standard across all grades. It has over 32 features to provide a sense of safety, security, convenience and peace of mind for customers. By giving voice commands to Alexa, the cloud-based voice service from Amazon, customers can use 10 key features of Honda Connect to monitor and control their car from home. Hence, they can remotely access features such as car AC on/ off, door lock/ unlock, check fuel status, locate the car, and status from the car dashboard, for unparalleled comfort and convenience.

The new City comes with full LED headlamps with 9-LED array inline shell, integrated LED DRL, L-shaped LED turn signal and distinct Z- shape 3D wrap-around LED tail lamps with uniform edge light. It also has a one-touch electric sunroof, R-16 diamond-cut alloy wheels and shark fin antenna. In addition to the stylish exterior, its interiors are based on ‘Man Maximum Machine Minimum’ philosophy as it has enhanced knee room and legroom, rear-seat shoulder room, an ergonomically designed cockpit, multiple storage spaces and 506 litres of truck capacity.  

Safety 

To enhance safety the new car has been designed with Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body for self-protection while mitigating damage to other vehicles in the event of a collision. It offers a host of active and passive advanced safety features like six airbags system, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability assist with agile handling assist, hill start assist, Honda lane watch camera, multi-angle rear camera, emergency stop signal, tyre pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX compatible rear side seats with lower anchorages & top tether, and immobilizer with anti-theft alarm.  

For the convenience of the users the car is equipped with an advanced smart key system with the walk-away auto-lock feature, remote engine start (in CVT) and keyless window remote operation, fully automatic climate control with max cool, click feel AC dials with red-blue elimination, rear AC vents with charging ports, driver seat height adjuster, LED map and rear reading lamps.

The ergonomically designed and thoughtfully laid instrument panel sports the 20.3 cm advanced touchscreen display audio which connects with Apple Car Play and Android Auto opening new ways of staying social and digital on the drive. The other features include 17.7cm HD full-color TFT meter with multi-function driver information interface with G-meter, digital speed and cruise control display, weblink smart connectivity, eight-speakers premium surround sound system, ambient lighting and LED interior lamps, steering-mounted paddle shifters for CVT.

Gaku Nakanishi, President & CEO, Honda Cars India, said, “Honda City has been our key pillar of business for more than 22 years, being one of the longest-running nameplates in the Indian automotive history. With cumulative sales of more than four million units worldwide, it has provided joy to almost eight lakh customers in India and many more aspiring to own the model. Each generation of the City has raised the bar on design, technology, quality, driving pleasure, comfort & safety, and has come with several industry firsts or segment-first features.” 

Rajesh Goel, Sr Vice President & Director, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, “City customers have always been very discerning and want a car that is a class above the rest. Hence multiple ‘industry-first’ and ‘best in segment features’ for Styling, Connectivity, Safety and Convenience have been offered as standard from the entry V variant of the All-New City, setting a new benchmark for the segment.”

The new City is available five colour options - radiant red metallic, platinum white pearl, modern steel metallic, lunar silver metallic and golden brown metallic. It comes with three years of unlimited kilometres warranty as a standard benefit to the customer. Additionally, customers can opt for an extended warranty for an additional two years unlimited/limited kilometres for extra peace of mind. The car offers a low cost of maintenance with a service interval of one year/ 10,000km whichever is earlier.  

The fifth-generation car also offers a wide array of accessory choices to customers with wireless charger (with smartphone holder), front parking sensor with switch, legroom lamp, trunk spoiler with LED, front & rear bumper protector, Side airbag compatible seat cover, Door visor with chrome among many others. (MT)

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Citroen India, in partnership with its dealership La Maison Nanavati, has completed the handover of 51 Citroen C3 CNG vehicles to the Luthra Group. The ceremony took place at the Luthra Group’s headquarters in Surat.

The delivery is part of Citroen's strategy to expand its presence in tier-II and tier-III markets by providing mobility solutions to businesses and individuals.

The Citroen C3 CNG is designed for high-usage environments and daily commutes. The model includes several features tailored for the Indian market, integration of a factory-fitted CNG kit to manage running costs. A suspension system tuned specifically for local road conditions. Provisions for cabin space and air-conditioning systems designed for high-ambient temperatures.

The handover to Luthra Group represents the brand's focus on cost-efficient transportation. By targeting the regional business sector, Citroen India aims to strengthen its footprint in Gujarat and the broader Indian mobility market.

The C3 CNG is positioned as a solution for users requiring reliability and low operating expenses without compromising on ride comfort.

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Maruti Suzuki India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, a regional rural bank, for vehicle retail financing partnership on new cars, pre-owned vehicles and commercial vehicles.

This collaboration marks the 50th retail finance partner for Maruti Suzuki India. The partnership is intended to use the bank’s network to provide credit options to a range of customer profiles, particularly in rural and semi-urban regions.

The partnership aims to increase the accessibility of Maruti Suzuki products through, tailored finance schemes designed for rural and regional customers.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Our partnership with Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank marks a significant milestone as we onboard our 50th retail finance partner. This reinforces our commitment to making car ownership simpler and more affordable for customers across India. By expanding our reach through this strategic alliance, we aim to empower buyers with competitive, customer-friendly financing solutions that enhance the overall purchase experience. We remain focused on delivering seamless, tailored finance options, and this collaboration strengthens our vision of providing the Joy of Mobility to aspiring Indian consumers.”

Yadav S. Thakur, Chairman, Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, said, “At Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, empowering customer aspirations is at the heart of everything we do. Our partnership with Maruti Suzuki, a leader in the automotive industry, is a strategic step towards enhancing our service offerings and delivering greater value to our customers. This collaboration aligns with our 'Customer-First' mission, enabling us to provide accessible and affordable vehicle financing solutions. We look forward to helping more individuals and families across the country realise their dream of owning a Maruti Suzuki vehicle.”

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Kia India has started production of the latest generation Seltos at its manufacturing facility in Anantapur. The company has confirmed that prices for the mid-SUV will be announced on 2 January 2026.

The Anantapur plant, established in 2019, serves as a hub for both the Indian domestic market and international exports. The facility uses automation and a local workforce to manufacture the Seltos, which was the first model produced by the company in India.

The new model is built on Kia’s K3 platform, which has been engineered to increase structural rigidity and improve suspension damping. The vehicle has grown in size compared to its predecessor to increase cabin space and stability. It has 4,460 mm of length, 1,830 mm of width and a wheelbase of 2,690 mm.  

The exterior design follows the ‘Opposites United’ philosophy, featuring a ‘Digital Tiger Face,’ LED projection headlamps, and alloy wheels with neon brake callipers.

The vehicle integrates several digital interfaces and driver assistance systems. It features an upgraded Kia Connect 2.0 suite with over-the-air (OTA) software updates and a proximity unlock function.

In terms of safety, it gets 24 features as standard, while ADAS Level 2 offers 21 autonomous features to assist the driver. The Kia Seltos SUV comes with three engine options – 1.5-litre Petrol producing 115 PS of power and 144 Nm of torque, 1.5 T-GDI Petrol producing 160 PS of power and 253 Nm of torque and a 1.5-litre diesel engine producing 116 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque.

Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual (6MT), intelligent manual (6iMT), IVT, 7-speed dual-clutch (7DCT) and a 6-speed automatic (6AT). The model will be sold in four trims – HTE, HTK, HTX and GTX – with additional option variants and an X-Line styling pack.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director & CEO, Kia India, said, “The roll-out of the All-New Kia Seltos marks a proud milestone for Kia India. Seltos has long set benchmarks in the mid-SUV segment, and this new generation represents a bigger, bolder, and more progressive evolution shaped by insights from Indian customers. With production now underway at our Anantapur facility, our teams are fully geared to ensure customers can take delivery of their all-new Seltos without long waiting periods. We are confident the all-new Seltos will once again redefine expectations in the segment and strengthen Kia’s leadership in India."

“The new Seltos looks fantastic. The Anantapur team, together with our supplier partners, have done an outstanding job in delivering our customers a great looking, significantly bigger, technologically progressive and safe vehicle with impressive functionality and connectivity,” he said.

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Stellantis-owned French automotive brand Citroen India has inaugurated its 126th point of sales and service (POS&S) facility in Chennai, continuing the expansion of its network under the ‘Citroen 2.0 – Shift Into The New’ strategy.

The new 3S (Sales, Service and Spares) facility is located at Chitlapakkam, near Chrompet. It is an extension of the partnership with VTK Automobiles, which now operates five Citroen touchpoints in the city. The outlet functions as a ‘Stellantis Brand House,’ allowing customers to access both Citroen and Jeep brands within a single space.

Since the announcement of the Citroen 2.0 strategy, the brand has increased its network by 48.6 percent. Over the last six months, the company added 43 points of sale through its network expansion programmes. Citroen expects to reach a total of 135 outlets by the end of the year, with further operations planned for the north, west, and east of India.

The strategy focuses on several pillars – deepening the domestic supply chain for India-centric products. Expanding the dealer footprint into Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations. Using digital tools and unified spaces for sales and aftersales services.

Shailesh Hazela, CEO and Managing Director, Stellantis India, said, “The expansion of Stellantis network further with VTK dealership in Chennai marks another important step in Citroen and Jeep India’s network growth strategy. Chennai is a key market for us, and this upgraded facility will enable us to serve our customers better with a seamless sales and ownership experience. Aligned with our Citroen 2.0 strategy, we remain committed to strengthening our dealer partnerships and building a robust, customer-centric network across the country.”

Kumar Priyesh, Director Automotive Brands, Stellantis India, said, “We have grown our network by almost 48.6 percent since we announced the Citroen 2.0 strategy and have been able to expand our operations in different parts of country: adding tier 2/3 locations while further strengthening in Metro/ Tier 1 cities. Through project Visitar, Network Expansion Program and expansion in new geographies we added over 43 POS in the last 6 months and are already in advanced stages to start additional operations in North, West and Eastern parts of the country and expected to close the year with 135 POS for Citroen.”

Sree Venkata Teja Kethineni, Dealer Principal, VTK Automobiles, said, “We’re happy to partner to this pivotal shift in automotive retail, proudly representing Jeep and Citroen. Our dual-brand strategy empowers us to deliver a truly elevated and distinctive experience – whether customers seek rugged performance or refined sophistication. With passion, professionalism and personalised care at the core, our team is committed to exceeding expectations and upholding the global standards these iconic brands represent.”

The facility includes a service centre equipped with diagnostics and digital tools. Staff members are trained across both Jeep and Citroen product lines to provide technical support and product information.

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