2021 Honda City Hybrid Revealed, India Bound

2021 Honda City Hybrid i-MMD — It is a proper hybrid and runs in EV mode most of the time

Honda has revealed the 2021 City Hybrid for the Malaysian market with some impressive kit, making it a proper hybrid.

Unlike certain models that are sold with electric assist, the Honda City Hybrid comes equipped with two electric motors and mostly runs in EV mode.

Named by the Japanese carmaker as the intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) hybrid system, it makes use of a 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine that produces 98 PS and 127 Nm and is coupled with an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG).

There is a second electric motor that makes 109 PS and 253 Nm of torque, which draws power from a Lithium-Ion battery pack housed at the back. It drives the front wheels through a single-speed gearbox.

Using the hybrid setup, the City is likely to have electric-only mode, a mode for the internal combustion engine and another mode that combines both tech to provide the best of both worlds.

It is likely that direct drive during start and cruising will be provided by the electric motor, while the petrol motor (which basically acts as a generator) would provide drive at higher speeds. Idle stop function will be likely provided due to the ISG.

Design of the car is similar to the City RS that is on sale in certain markets, while inside, the MID system would display information like energy flow, driving efficiency, among others.

City Hybrid launch is expected to take place by mid-2021 and could be called the City RS e:HEV. It will likely cost more than the non-hybrid model that costs between Rs. 10.89 lakhs and Rs. 14.64 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).