The gleaming Takano cited three good reasons that would endear the new variants of Honda City to the Philippine motoring public.
First, the introduction of the Honda City 1.5-liter manual and Steermatic variants (to the 1.3-liter I-DSi) responds to the market demand for a more powerful engine that highlights performance and sportiness.
Second, the new City 1.5 variants passed the stringent Euro 4 emission standards – which is still for adoption in Europe in the year 2005 while the Philippines is still applying the Euro1 emission level.
And third, HCPI has obtained an authority from Honda Japan to cease importation of completely built-up units from Thailand and instead, transfer the assembly of the City to the Philippines.
"The transfer of vehicle assembly to the Philippines signifies our firm commitment to the Philippine economy. We are offering high quality products to our valued customers, job security to our workforce and more business opportunities to our automotive parts suppliers," Takano said in his speech at the launch of the new Honda City 1.5 VTEC at the Speedzone Karting Tracks, The Fort in Taguig City.
HCPI considers the Honda City, specifically the new 1.5 VTEC, a "strategic model" that will eventually take them to the number one position in terms of sales of the compact sedan category. Honda officials believe the absence of the 1.5-liter City had left a vacuum in the marketing strategy that allowed the City’s arch rival, the Toyota Vios, to take the lead.
To prove his point, Takano personally led two batches of motoring scribes for an exciting 70-kilometer pre-launch test drive from the refreshing town of Kalibo, Aklan to Caticlan enroute to Boracay Island last May 24. There were high speed stretches, winding roads, uphill and downhill situations and of course, the incomparable beauty of Panay Island which surrounded our views.
I was assigned a manual transmission Night Hawk City along with brothers Jason and Ulysses Ang of motioncars.com. With three occupants on board, the new City 1.5 showed off its impressive performance with the aggressive VTEC powerplant that flexes 110ps@5,800 rpm maximum power. It spelled a big difference from I-DSi 1.3-liter of 82ps@5,700 rpm.
Arnel Doria, HCPI deputy for marketing, calls it the ‘fire breathing City" since it is more powerful than the average 1800 cc sedan in the local market. With the City’s lightweight body and superb acceleration, HCPI also claimed that it can out-perform the 1.8-liter model of our friendly competitor."
VTEC’s potent force is about smooth and progressive torque.
The two-day Honda event in Boracay was highlighted by exciting City driving and adventure night scuba diving (sharks in Yapak Point and giant turtle in Friday’s rock!). Driving the Honda City 1.5 VTEC – considering its exemplary roominess, unique sedan-cargo versatility (ULT seat arrangement features) and distinct Honda riding comfort, left us with enough energy to go jet skiing during the free time.
Its refined exterior features – sleek 15-inch alloy wheel, body colored side protector molding and re-designed rear bumper – add to the sporty stance of the City VTEC 1.5. Except for the roof-mounted antenna that replaced the windshield-mounted version, everything else improved the new City VTEC’s looks.
The City VTEC’s wider 185/55R15 tires improved its road grip in cornering as compared to the 1.3 I-DSi’s 175-85R14.
The City body design illustrates the shape of the future that never ceased to attract the attention of the people along the roads of Aklan.
Braking confidence was enhanced with the four-wheel disc brake system. The new City VTEC 1.5 comes with optional ABS (anti-lock brake system) and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) technology and safety dual SRS air bags.
Did I miss the Honda City VTEC 1.5 7speed mode Steermatic? Probably. But the five speed manual breed was good enough to entice me during the less-than-an-hour drive to Caticlan Port. For me, nothing beats the driving sensation with a manual transmission on clear road stretches like those in Aklan.
The City invasion of Panay Island is no threat to its environment considering that it had passed clean exhaust emission that meets the strict Euro4 emission level.
In Boracay, Doria was blissful in saying that the decision of Honda Cars Japan to allow HCPI to manufacture the City in its assembly plant in Sta. Rosa was a welcome relief to the company and HCPI parts suppliers, considering the big number of workers under their wings.
In echoing the sentiment of Takano, Doria said:" It was not easy to uproot its production in Thailand but through the dedicated efforts of HCPI management, we resume the production of the Honda City at our manufacturing plant in Laguna."
"This is our humble contribution to the improvement of the Philippine economy," he emphasized.
