Latest news with #HCIL
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Honda launches new City Sport variant at ₹14.88 lakh
Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has introduced a new variant of its popular mid size sedan, the City Sport, aimed at younger customers who seek distinctive design and new variant joins the existing City line-up and will be available in limited units. It is priced at ₹14,88,900 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The City Sport is powered with a 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that is compliant with E20 fuel standards . It is paired with a continuously variable transmission ( CVT ) and paddle shifters. The engine delivers 121PS of power, 145NM of torque, and a fuel efficiency of 18.4 km/l. Safety features include Honda SENSING , the company's Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite. Exterior and interior changes The City Sport variant includes changes to the exterior and interior. On the outside, it features a black grille, trunk lip spoiler, shark fin antenna, and grey alloy wheels. Blacked-out wing mirrors and a 'Sport' emblem are also part of the package. The cabin features black leather seats, soft door inserts, and red stitching on seats, door panels and the steering wheel. Black roof lining and pillars are included, along with a dark red dash insert and black AC vents. Ambient lighting with seven colour options is also part of the interior package. Commenting on the launch, Kunal Behl, vice president of Marketing & Sales at Honda Cars India Ltd., said, 'The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling.' The City Sport will be available only in CVT and offered in three colour options: Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl and Meteoroid Grey Metallic. An additional cost is applicable for the Pearl colour.
India Today
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- India Today
Honda City Sport launched at Rs 14.89 Lakh; limited edition with sporty flair
Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) has launched the City Sport at Rs 14,88,900 (ex-showroom), a new variant of the sedan. Infused with a sportier identity and enhanced visual flair, the City Sport is a limited edition offering that brings a bold refresh to the City City Sport is crafted for those who carry a zest for individuality and spirited living. The car features a series of aggressive visual upgrades and thoughtful cabin enhancements, designed to appeal to a generation that seeks a statement on the the exterior, the City Sport makes an immediate impression with a gloss black front grille, black trunk lip spoiler, black shark fin antenna, and a special Sport emblem. Blacked-out ORVMs and new multi-spoke grey alloy wheels add further to its athletic presence. Offered in three shades -- Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic. Step inside, and the cabin greets you with an all-black interior theme enriched with red contrast stitching across the leather seats, soft-touch door inserts, and steering wheel. The sporty ambience is elevated with black roof lining, red dashboard accents, and glossy black AC vents. The standout feature remains the 7-colour ambient lighting, curated to amplify the sporty aesthetic and create a premium in-cabin the hood, the City Sport retains Honda's 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine, now E20 fuel compliant. It delivers 121bhp of power and 145Nm of torque, mated to a CVT with paddle shifters and has a claimed fuel efficiency of 18.4 km/ terms of safety, the City Sport gets Honda Sensing, the brand's advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), which adds intuitive safety features for a more confident on the launch, Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India said, "The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun to drive performance and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for, at a price that makes it even more compelling."With limited units available, the City Sport stands as a refreshed offering for those who want the practicality of a sedan without compromising on style, sportiness, or to Auto Today Magazine
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Honda launches New City Sport: Check price, specification, and other details of this limited edition
Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has unveiled the New City Sport, an exclusive new variant of its popular mid-size sedan, bringing a fresh wave of style and dynamism aimed at young, spirited car buyers. Sporting the tagline "Life is a Sport", the City Sport is designed to reflect boldness, individuality, and a passion for the extraordinary — both on the road and off it. This new grade of the City will be offered in limited units, exclusively in CVT (automatic transmission), and comes in three vibrant colour options: Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl, and Meteoroid Gray Metallic. 'The new City Sport has been crafted to meet the aspirations of young buyers who value individuality and a spirited driving experience. It embodies a perfect blend of sporty exterior and interior style, fun-to-drive performance, and the everyday usability that Honda City is known for — at a price that makes it even more compelling,' said Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India Ltd. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo Key Highlights of the New Honda City Sport Bold Exterior Styling: The City Sport grabs attention with a Sporty Black Grille, Black Trunk Lip Spoiler, Glossy Black Shark Fin Antenna, Black ORVMs, and an Exclusive Sport Emblem. Its dynamic profile is enhanced by Multi-Spoke Sporty Grey Alloy Wheels, setting a distinctive tone. Live Events Sport-Inspired Interiors: Inside, the cabin features a premium all-black theme with contrasting red stitching on leather seats, door inserts, and steering wheel. The ambiance is elevated with glossy black AC vents, a Sporty Dark Red Dash Garnish, black roof lining, and a customizable 7-colour rhythmic ambient lighting system, enhancing the immersive sporty feel. Energetic Drive & Safety: Powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine (E20 compliant) producing 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT with paddle shifters, the City Sport delivers 18.4 km/l mileage. The model is also equipped with Honda SENSING (ADAS), offering intelligent driver-assist technologies for enhanced safety. New Honda City Sport Price The Honda City Sport CVT is priced at Rs 14,88,900 (Ex-Showroom, Delhi). In April 2024, Honda Cars India registered 4,351 units in domestic sales and 6,516 units in exports, reflecting steady demand for its portfolio. With the launch of the City Sport, Honda aims to inject a dose of youthfulness into the premium sedan segment, targeting customers who seek not just comfort and reliability, but also style and performance that stand out.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Honda City Sport Edition Launched In India: Limited Units, Sportier Appeal
Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL) has launched the New City Sport, adding a sportier edge to its popular mid-size sedan - Honda City. The City Sport offers sporty exterior styling with black accents, all-black interiors with contrasting red highlights, and ambient lighting. Echoing its tagline 'Life is a Sport', the new City Sport celebrates those who live with energy, confidence and a passion for standing out - both on the road and in life. Honda City Sport - New Limited-Unit Variant The City Sport will be available as a new grade in City line-up in limited units. It will be offered in CVT (automatic transmission) in 3 colour options: Radiant Red Metallic, Platinum White Pearl and Meteoroid Gray Metallic. Honda City Sport - Dynamic Exterior The City Sport commands attention with its striking exterior. A sporty black grille is complemented by a sporty black trunk lip spoiler, glossy black shark fin antenna and an exclusive sport emblem. The silhouette is further enhanced by multi-spoke sporty grey alloy wheels and black ORVMs. Honda City Sport - Sporty Interior The interior features a sporty black cabin featuring premium leather black seats and plush soft door inserts with a contrasting red stitch pattern on seats, door inserts and steering wheel. The dark theme further extends to the Black Roof Lining & Pillars. A vibrant touch of dynamism is added with the Sporty Dark Red Dash Garnish and Glossy Black AC vents. Taking the cabin experience a notch above is the 7-Colour rhythmic ambient light placed intricately to match the aesthetic of the sporty cabin and energetic drive. Honda City Sport - Powertrain Powered by Honda's refined 1.5L i-VTEC petrol engine [E20 compliant] coupled with CVT and Paddle Shift delivering 121 Hp of peak power, 145 Nm of max torque, and 18.4 km/l fuel mileage. It further gets Honda SENSING (ADAS) for enhanced safety.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Honda Cars India stays the course with EVs and Hybrids amid global strategy shifts
Honda Cars India's current portfolio includes models like the City, Elevate and the Amaze along with the City eHEV. Notify me Even as Honda Motor globally fine-tunes its clean mobility strategy with a renewed emphasis on hybrids alongside electric vehicles, its Indian subsidiary is charting a steady, no-panic course to 2030. For Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL), the goal is clear- to move towards cleaner fuel. The roadmap is practical—a balanced mix of petrol, hybrid, and battery-electric powertrains. In a recent interaction with HT Auto, Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales at Honda Cars India, emphasized that despite evolving global priorities, the company's commitments in India remain firmly on track. 'We always planned a phased transition, starting with the discontinuation of diesel, followed by introducing strong hybrids, and now gearing up for a full EV rollout," he added. Global winds, local anchors The global narrative may be swinging between battery electric and hybrid models as automakers grapple with demand fluctuations, charging infra gaps, and raw material costs. Yet for HCIL, the path forward remains rooted in consistency. The Elevate-based EV project announced earlier is evolving into a standalone SUV over four metres in length, set to debut in FY26. This will mark Honda's first play in India's mass-market EV segment. Also Read : Honda scales back EV goals, shifts focus to hybrids amid global EV slowdown What's driving this multi-pronged approach is realism. 'Customer preference depends on convenience—charging station availability, taxation benefits, and daily usage patterns," Behl pointed out. In metros with a decent charging ecosystem, an EV makes sense. In other cities, hybrids remain a pragmatic choice. 'Our aim is to offer three clear solutions—petrol, hybrid, and electric—so every customer finds what works best for their lifestyle," he explained. Strong hybrids, stronger legacy Honda, of course, is no stranger to hybrids. From the Civic and Accord to the current City e:HEV, the Japanese carmaker was among the early evangelists of this technology in India. 'We've seen hybrid sales account for up to 30 per cent in markets like Uttar Pradesh, where tax benefits are similar to BEVs," says Behl. Nationwide, strong hybrids contribute around 11 per cent to sales. Also watch: Honda City e:HEV Hybrid: First Drive Review Going forward, Honda plans to broaden its hybrid offerings beyond sedans. The larger SUV strategy—five models by 2030—is already in motion. The Elevate was the first, the upcoming EV SUV is the second, while details of the next three remain under wraps for now. However, it is anticipated that the upcoming three SUVs will feature either an electric or a hybrid powertrain. CNG: An opportunistic play, not a strategic pivot Interestingly, Honda has also dipped a cautious toe into the CNG pool—albeit through third-party retrofitted kits. Starting with the Amaze and now extended to the Elevate, the move seems more reactive than strategic. 'The response to the retrofit kits has been good in specific markets," Behl admits, 'but this isn't a long-term powertrain direction for us." Unlike rivals who have factory-fitted CNG models as portfolio mainstays, Honda is resisting that detour. 'Factory-fit CNG requires a shift in production strategy. Our focus right now is on launching our battery-electric vehicle on time. We don't want to lose sight of that," he added. The message is clear- while CNG may offer incremental sales in select regions, it's not part of Honda's clean-fuel blueprint. Kunal Behl, Vice President, Marketing & Sales at Honda Cars India, has stated that the company is on course to move towards cleaner fuel with a balanced mix of hybrids, EVs, and petrol models CBUs: Low volume, high value Completely built units (CBUs) are also part of the larger equation—but here again, Honda is realistic. These imported models aren't about sales volumes. They serve a different purpose, explained Behl. 'CBUs showcase our global technology and premium brand value to Indian consumers." From earlier imports like the Honda Accord Hybrid to potential future launches, Honda's CBU strategy is brand-led. However, India's steep import duties remain a deterrent. 'The current taxation structure makes CBUs aspirational, not accessible," Behl noted. Still, they play a crucial role in positioning—offering a halo effect that supports the brand's premium aspirations. Exports: Strategic, not central If there's one model that has quietly expanded Honda Cars India's global footprint, it's the Honda Elevate. Developed primarily for the domestic market, it has unexpectedly found appeal in international territories—Japan, Latin America, and, more recently, select Caribbean nations. 'Our core idea has always been 'local production for local consumption'. But when a product performs well at home and fits the needs of international markets, it makes sense to extend its reach," Bhel explained. That's precisely what Elevate has enabled. Built at Honda's Tapukara facility in Rajasthan, the SUV now anchors the brand's growing export portfolio. However, Behl is careful to set expectations. 'Export is a valuable piece of the business puzzle—it improves the overall business constitution—but it remains supplementary. Our core focus is still the domestic market." Also Read : Honda Elevate exports surge, Amaze strengthens as FY25 sales hit 1.26 lakh units This approach is deliberate. Honda isn't chasing volumes abroad for the sake of boosting numbers. Instead, it's strategically evaluating which India-developed products can find resonance globally. The success of Elevate may open the door for other SUVs in the upcoming five-model lineup to be considered for export, but not at the cost of Indian market prioritization. It's encouraging, but not defining, Behl sums up. 'We don't design in India just for the world. We design for India—and if the world wants in, we welcome that." Growth Regions: Going deeper, not just wider At the heart of Honda Cars India's growth ambition lies a textbook yet tailored approach—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. But it's not strategy for strategy's sake. It's being used to reposition the brand within a more premium orbit. 'In terms of place, we already have a footprint across 170 Tier-III towns with over 300 outlets," says Behl. Expansion is being driven by targeted market analysis, identifying towns and cities where Honda's physical presence and after-sales infrastructure need bolstering. On the product front, the immediate focus is to fill the EV void. 'That's why we're working aggressively to bring our battery electric vehicle in the next fiscal," Behl explained. Simultaneously, Honda has committed to rolling out five SUVs by 2030, with Elevate and the upcoming EV leading the charge. Pricing strategy, meanwhile, is aligned with delivering value through advanced safety features and technologies—without diluting brand equity. Promotion, too, has evolved. Rather than leaning solely on volume-focused campaigns, Honda is betting big on digital-first, consultative experiences. Its 'Honda Expert Connect'—a live, one-on-one virtual showroom experience—underscores the company's commitment to offering a premium customer journey even before a foot is set inside a dealership. Also Read : Honda Amaze: The sedan that refuses to shout, but quietly delivers This multi-pronged strategy is underpinned by a clear identity shift. 'We discontinued some mass-market models because our intent is to be seen as a premium brand," Behl noted. That means not just refining the product lineup, but also elevating everything around it—from showroom ambience and digital tools to variant packaging and after-sales experience. The result- in models like Elevate and Amaze, a majority of buyers are now opting for ADAS-equipped top trims, validating Honda's move up the value chain. Customers see value in safety and tech. That aligns perfectly with where we want the Honda brand to be, Behl explained. Looking ahead In a sluggish passenger vehicle market where discounts and flashy launches often mask tepid consumer sentiment, Honda's approach stands out for its restraint—and resilience. The company's strategy is neither aggressive nor defensive—it's deliberate. Focus on hybrids and EVs continues. CNG is observed, not embraced. CBUs are leveraged for image, not impact. And exports are important, but domestic remains sacrosanct. Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape. First Published Date: 12 Jun 2025, 09:16 AM IST
