Hot about 3rd Genereation Honda City

It was only two years ago that I became a car owner, the car that my wife and I bought was a 1997 Honda City.

We got it in pretty good condition, despite being ten years old by the time that we bought it. Its 1.3 liter engine hummed smoothly, the suspension sometimes thumped whenever we hit a rough patch of tarmac, and the clutch was a bit deep but a little adjustment solved that problem right away. The A/C didn't blow as strongly as it perhaps should, but still blew out very cool air.

What I really liked about it was that it sipped gas, rather than guzzled it. Even after a decade, the car made about 7 to 9 kilometers to a liter depending on traffic.

It is a testament to how well Honda makes its cars.

Anyway, this year comes with a bit of great news for Honda fans as it unveils the third generation Honda City and from the looks of it, the City's grandson looks like it can cut through traffic like a katana.

Here's part of an article by Ira V. Panganiban on ABS-CBN news.com:

The new Honda’s design comes from an “arrowshot design concept” that impresses a sleek and powerful design whatever angle you look at it from. Beginning with a streamlined grille harmonized with sharp headlights it is amplified by smoother body contours and rooflines that finish off to a higher rear deck. It stands on 15-inch tires that creates that sporty looking stand.

But even with a considerable increase in cabin space, the new City still retained its compact form to maintain maneuverability. Inside the City is an atmosphere that gives out freshness, something missing from plenty of the all-new models that are coming out today.

The City is powered by an i-VTEC engine that churns out a maximum power of 120ps@6600rpm for the 1.5 litre variant and 100ps@6000rpm for the 1.3 litre variant. This engine is coupled to a 5-speed automatic transmission that reduces engine revolution and stress. It is also Euro 4 compliant.

The City is also equipped with an F1 inspired paddle shifter on the 1.5 litre model, to deliver the pleasure of a manual transmission in a modern fashion, one right at your finger tips. On the G-CON body structure of the City are the needed safety equipments like the ABS, EBD and Brake Assist and dual SRS Airbags.

“Honda ushers 2009 by introducing a model that shall play a significant role not just in the local but international market as well. And as a testimony of Honda’s confidence in local manufacturing and commitment to the Philippine government and Filipino people, the Honda City shall continue to be manufactured at our plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna,” proclaims Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu, President and General Manager of Honda Cars Philippines Inc.

The new City now also includes a terrific entertainment system that is MP3 and i-Pod compatible via USB and Aux ports and a fuel economy and range indicator via LED display on the instrument panel.

The new City is priced from P676,000 for the 1.3 litre A Manual Transmission, P716,000 for the 1.3 litre S MT, P756,000 for the 1.3 litre S Automatic and P806,000 for the 1.5 E Automatic Transmission.