fleming
01-05-2009, 06:47 AM
The new City certainly has more than what it takes to grab attention with a unique shape and tremendously uncharacteristic details. Every generation of the City has brought forth interesting new designs. While each version has drawn some initial derision, they have found wide acceptance and benchmark status later. No surprise, the latest generation City is an all-new design from the ground up.
The distinct, striking sharp edges and pronounced snout are etched into memory cells at first sight, though beautiful or desirable are not the adjectives they bring to mind. Yes, it holds the promise of being attractive but something is off kilter. The futuristic grille design borrowed from the Accord along with the tapered wraparound head lamps provide the new City with well defined character. Creases on the hood tapering towards the grille hint at a strong, healthy package underneath.
I like the profile view, especially the front three-quarters one, where the 'arrow-shot form' as Honda likes to term its design mantra, emanates a powerful aura. The taut, stretched silhouette is quite attractive though I do wish that a slimmer rear flank had been pencilled in instead. The new City in my opinion has the most attractive butt on any car available in India. Ijust love the asymmetrical tail lamps and the sharp kink in the bootlid that lend it a sportier character than ever before. Though it seems inspired by the Civic, it is a far cleaner, leaner version that is well nigh ravishing.
Overall the City is more attuned to please a global audience, catering to American, Japanese, Asian and even European tastes. I am convinced that the form will be one of its biggest USPs.
Faced with the new City, the SX4 bastion no longer appears impregnable. In fact, it feels outclassed, oddball even. That is saying a lot considering the SX4 was launched just over a year ago and that there have been no new cars launched in this segment since.
The SX4 forte is a distinct character, perched higher up than most other cars in its segment thanks to the large 16-inch alloys. The once classic lines and curves now seem things of the past. The profusion of SX4s on Indian roads has further dulled its sit-up-and-take-notice appeal. While the styling is not ready to be relegated to history, it is not hall of fame material either. The new City's distinctive looks, The tacho. Speedometer and fuel rings look sporty thanks to aluminium like inserts and distinct markings.
461
The design is further accentuated by racy orange glow that is impressive in the dark. Multi function display is new for the City and apart from the odo readings also indicates mileŽage among other things, Overall layout of dashboard fails to impress in the flesh. High gloss plastic inserts do little to lift the gloom though LED strip running across the dash provides warm ambience after sundown.
The new City is larger than the last generation car but is not bigger than the SX4. Actually, placed side by side, the SX4 with its flared arches, bulging flanks and towering stature, dwarfs the City longitudinally, horizontally and vertically, making the City seem diminutive even. However, the sleeker silhouette of the City can be attractive to a discerning audience.
The City also squats 30mm lower than the SX4 which gives it a more dynamic stance, further accentuated by its wide wheelbase and track. The new City interiors have some radical touches that I did not find very appealing. The scalloped and wedged, Accord and Civic inspired dash fails to evoke the same emotions. The two-tone upholstery makes the pseudo aluminium centre conŽsole seem even more dull than it actually is. However at night, the interior decor is seen, literally, in a new light. The thin, slick LED strip that runs across the glossy plastic insert on the dashboard accentuates and heightens every aspect. The orange glowing instrument console radiŽates warmth and opulence unlike any other car in the segment. The clocks are large and easy to read and you also get a multi function display. The steering wheel - sourced from the Civic - is a fantastic addition and also sports audio controls.
The SX4's interiors too do little to bring cheer on a Monday morning despite it also trying to insert two-tone upholstery. It also makes do without the sound and lights show of the City at night, so there is little by way of ambience be it during the day or at night. The SX4's music system, though, plays archaic compact discs which the Honda engineers have completely done away with in an effort to go completely electronic. That means the City owner must invest in a stash of thumb drives to hook into the sound system. The SX4's controls are laid out in an easy to approach manner and the entire layout looks inconspicuous compared to that of the City, However neither car impresses in the material quality department leaving me quite disappointed. Both fascias feel too plasticky while trying hard to fake metallic finishes.
The distinct, striking sharp edges and pronounced snout are etched into memory cells at first sight, though beautiful or desirable are not the adjectives they bring to mind. Yes, it holds the promise of being attractive but something is off kilter. The futuristic grille design borrowed from the Accord along with the tapered wraparound head lamps provide the new City with well defined character. Creases on the hood tapering towards the grille hint at a strong, healthy package underneath.
I like the profile view, especially the front three-quarters one, where the 'arrow-shot form' as Honda likes to term its design mantra, emanates a powerful aura. The taut, stretched silhouette is quite attractive though I do wish that a slimmer rear flank had been pencilled in instead. The new City in my opinion has the most attractive butt on any car available in India. Ijust love the asymmetrical tail lamps and the sharp kink in the bootlid that lend it a sportier character than ever before. Though it seems inspired by the Civic, it is a far cleaner, leaner version that is well nigh ravishing.
Overall the City is more attuned to please a global audience, catering to American, Japanese, Asian and even European tastes. I am convinced that the form will be one of its biggest USPs.
Faced with the new City, the SX4 bastion no longer appears impregnable. In fact, it feels outclassed, oddball even. That is saying a lot considering the SX4 was launched just over a year ago and that there have been no new cars launched in this segment since.
The SX4 forte is a distinct character, perched higher up than most other cars in its segment thanks to the large 16-inch alloys. The once classic lines and curves now seem things of the past. The profusion of SX4s on Indian roads has further dulled its sit-up-and-take-notice appeal. While the styling is not ready to be relegated to history, it is not hall of fame material either. The new City's distinctive looks, The tacho. Speedometer and fuel rings look sporty thanks to aluminium like inserts and distinct markings.
461
The design is further accentuated by racy orange glow that is impressive in the dark. Multi function display is new for the City and apart from the odo readings also indicates mileŽage among other things, Overall layout of dashboard fails to impress in the flesh. High gloss plastic inserts do little to lift the gloom though LED strip running across the dash provides warm ambience after sundown.
The new City is larger than the last generation car but is not bigger than the SX4. Actually, placed side by side, the SX4 with its flared arches, bulging flanks and towering stature, dwarfs the City longitudinally, horizontally and vertically, making the City seem diminutive even. However, the sleeker silhouette of the City can be attractive to a discerning audience.
The City also squats 30mm lower than the SX4 which gives it a more dynamic stance, further accentuated by its wide wheelbase and track. The new City interiors have some radical touches that I did not find very appealing. The scalloped and wedged, Accord and Civic inspired dash fails to evoke the same emotions. The two-tone upholstery makes the pseudo aluminium centre conŽsole seem even more dull than it actually is. However at night, the interior decor is seen, literally, in a new light. The thin, slick LED strip that runs across the glossy plastic insert on the dashboard accentuates and heightens every aspect. The orange glowing instrument console radiŽates warmth and opulence unlike any other car in the segment. The clocks are large and easy to read and you also get a multi function display. The steering wheel - sourced from the Civic - is a fantastic addition and also sports audio controls.
The SX4's interiors too do little to bring cheer on a Monday morning despite it also trying to insert two-tone upholstery. It also makes do without the sound and lights show of the City at night, so there is little by way of ambience be it during the day or at night. The SX4's music system, though, plays archaic compact discs which the Honda engineers have completely done away with in an effort to go completely electronic. That means the City owner must invest in a stash of thumb drives to hook into the sound system. The SX4's controls are laid out in an easy to approach manner and the entire layout looks inconspicuous compared to that of the City, However neither car impresses in the material quality department leaving me quite disappointed. Both fascias feel too plasticky while trying hard to fake metallic finishes.