Engine and Transmission
The biggest talking point of the new Honda City is its newly introduced 1.5 liter earth Dreams i-DTEC engine. Seen earlier of the Honda Amaze, the new diesel engine has been carried over with minor changes. This engine still employs a fixed geometry turbo and the tech specs still read power and torque output figures similar to the unit on the amaze. Peak power is rated at 99 bhp @ 3600 RPM while peak torque is mentioned to be 200 Nm @ 1750 RPM. The car boasts a crazy 26 kmpl ARAI fuel efficiency rating which makes the new Honda City a mileage leader across segments.
The 1.5 i-DTEC diesel unit, as we experienced on the Amaze is quite a noisy unit. The NVH levels on the City, are substantially less, but still not low enough to be termed ‘refined’. The incredibly linear and driveable character of the engine, however, remains unaltered. With a sizeable reservoir of torque available at the bottom of the barrel, this engine pulls from silly low engine speeds, making the new City one of the most drivable cars across segments.
While a proper shove begins to build post 1500 rpm, there some juice at even 1200 rpm. At crawling speed, the City is probably the last diesel car which would require you to downshift. It just chugs without any spluttering where other diesel cars would choke to a halt.
Transmission from the engine to the wheels is carried out by a new six speed manual gearbox. The sixth gear which is an overdrive would help enhance fuel efficiency dramatically on highways where you can maintain 100 km/h with the engine spinning away happily at a totally relaxed pace. The gearbox shifts in a precise, fluid manner with a nice feel to it. No rubbery uncertainty while shifting on this one.
While in gear acceleration and low rev tractability is fantastic, outright acceleration isn’t class leading. But in all honesty, we’d prefer former to latter in the real world where flat torque curve, fuel efficiency and good in-gear acceleration is the name of the game. And with that incredible fuel efficiency figure of 26kmpl, we really don’t have anything to complain about as regards performance.
Engine noise and vibrations, though lower than the Amaze are still quite perturbing. The City’s engine gets pretty vocal post 3000 rpm, and doesn’t like being revved too hard.
The slightly higher NVH levels apart, the new 1.5 i-DTEC City remains one of the most driveable cars around town. We are in awe of the new diesel’s tractability and efficiency, which are two virtues that matter the most for a large percentage of buyers. While the City may not boast class leading acceleration figures, it feels swift on the move and allows for effortless overtaking and maintains triple digit speeds without breaking a sweat.
It would be prudent on Honda’s part to work towards making this otherwise fantastic diesel engine a more refined and noiseless unit though.
Next page for Ride and Handling>>>