The Honda City was an instant hit when it first made its debut in India back in the late 1990s. Sedan buyers in India, up until that time, simply hadn’t experienced the kind of slick engineering refinement and driving pleasure that Honda offered with the City. And while the first City came with a choice of 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines (both of which were pretty good), Honda also introduced a 1.5-litre VTEC engine just two years down the line, and the City VTEC went on to become something of a cult classic. With their variable valve timing, Honda’s VTEC engines are rightfully revered for the high-revving thrills they provide, and even today, 20 years on, Honda enthusiasts still speak of the City VTEC in hushed tones. Gone, but never forgotten.
If the City VTEC of the early 2000s was a bit of a wild child, later iterations of the City went in a different direction. Sure, the refinement always remained, but Honda traded the first City’s sense of fun for more grown-up things like improved safety, better fuel economy, lower emissions, a bigger cabin, and more comfort. The hard-rocking frat boy exchanged the ratty pair of jeans and sneakers for a gray suit, and sensible shoes. From its second generation onwards, the City has been a car for bankers and dentists and lawyers, dutifully helping Honda fill its coffers.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Most Expensive Made-In-India Cars
From Mercedes limousines to variants of the flagship Land Rover, a surprising number of luxury flagship models are now locally assembled or produced in India
Making Noise In Quiet
Manik Handa of Eudaemon explains what it truly takes to define quiet luxury in India’s crowded retail market
Luggage Travails of a Frequent Flyer
Luxury and semi-luxury luggage are the new fashion frontier amongst the Indian jet set. Our writer though recommends extreme caution, unless you are the kind who can afford to fly in private jets
Ruling The Street
Either through imitation or rejection, streetwear continues to dominate the wardrobe of young India. We talk to those who follow the scene closely to understand its rise in status
Street Cred
Royal Enfield’s Guerrilla 450 is a thoroughly fun and exciting motorcycle—it is not that the Himalayan has just tidied up for a visit to the city
Now Serving.Indigenous India
India's culinary scene is buzzing with a quiet revolution, fueled by a vibrant comeback of hyperlocal ingredients. This movement isn't just about digging up fresh, local produce from across the nation—it's about rediscovering the deep, rich tapestry of India's diverse culinary heritage
CHAITANYA AKKINENI OF OLD LOVES AND NEW
The Akkineni-Daggubati family scion is starting a new phase, and life is looking more exciting than ever
Independence Movement
As we step into India's 77th year of Independence, we're shining the spotlight on four stunning timepieces, all designed from within the nation's borders
Precision in Motion
How Alain Zobrist and Omega Time the Olympics
The New Frontier
While India witnesses a massive growth in the number of global skincare brands entering the market, an increasing number of homegrown brands takeover the space and trust among consumers