We keep repeating that the Indian car market is gradually warming up to the idea of cars with automatic transmissions. A lot of it has to do with ever increasing traffic and long commutes. Also, auto ‘boxes have come a long way since the days of Maruti Suzuki Esteem’s 3 speed deal, when automatic transmissions used to be slow and decidedly boring. Now, Honda has started offering the option of automatic transmission in the S trim level of its popular City mid sizer. Earlier, the auto ‘box was available only with the top of the line V variant. It may be noted that Skoda offers an automatic box with the petrol version of its high selling Rapid sedan and this move from Honda, in all probability, is to bring back the car buying lot to its showrooms. The Honda City comes with a smooth and high revving 1.5 litre iVTEC motor that develops a very healthy output of 115 bhp.
The ex showroom (Delhi) prices of the complete City range are as follows :
City Corporate : Rs. 725,000
City 1.5 E MT : Rs. 782,000
City 1.5 S MT : Rs. 835,000
City 1.5 V MT : Rs. 888,000
City 1.5 S AT : Rs. 909,000 (newly introduced)
City 1.5 V AT : Rs. 962,000
City 1.5 V MT Sunroof :Rs. 972,000
City 1.5 V AT Sunroof :Rs. 1,046,000