The first City (1981–1994)
FIRST generation AA model
Honda’s first generation City was also known as the Jazz in Europe, and started life as a subcompact hatchback targeting primarily the Japanese domestic market in 1981. Aside from Japan, its markets were Europe and the Australasian territories. The model codes for the first generation City were designated as the AA for the sedans, VF for vans and FA for wide-track Turbo and Cabriolet variants. It was also known as the Honda Clio in the Japanese market.
Its tall body earned its name “Tall Boy” in the Japanese market, it was designed with a front-wheel drive and transverse engine layout, that allowed a roomy legroom in the cabin compared to other cars in the same segment. Mated with a fuel-efficient 1231cc CVCC II ER engine, the City gained considerable success in the local market. Aside from Honda’s naturally aspirated ER engine, a turbocharged variant for the sportier “R” version and an entry-level “E” variant as well as commercial van models were subsequently introduced.
A special Cabriolet model was also introduced in 1984, penned by Italian design firm Pininfarina that came with a wider body track, muscular fenders and bigger bumpers similar to the Turbo II “Bulldog” variant but the Cabriolet came with a the naturally aspirated, 66.08 horsepower (49 kW) engine. The Honda City Cabriolet ushered in a new genre of convertibles in Japan using family sedans back in the 1980s.
The first Honda City Turbo was a hot hatch produced between 1982 to 1986, and instantly became a street legend. The City Turbo was the baby of Hirotoshi Honda, son of Honda founder Soichiro Honda. The younger Honda was also the founder of Honda tuner brand Mugen. Mugen was conceived to provide aftermarket high-performance tuning parts for both Honda cars and motorbikes. Prior to its market introduction, he took two Honda City Turbos on a grueling 10,000-kilometer trip around the winding roads of Europe, from Italy all the way to Norway in the Artic North. By 1983, the Turbo II was introduced. With more aggressive wings and ground effects, the Turbo II became also known as the “Bulldog.”
The second generation City (1986 to 1994)
SECOND generation GA1 model
SECOND generation GA2 model
With the success of the first generation City, the aging AA series was replaced with the GA1 series and subsequently with a minor facelift model dubbed as the GA2 series. Honda also used the nameplate Fit in this generation as one of the variants of this model. Honda did away with convertible and turbocharged variants for this generation. The design and layout also changed, this model had a lower and wider stance that allowed a lighter chassis with much improved handling and performance. Honda calls it a “crouching form” that speaks the same design language as its popular Honda Civic model, with its exterior dimensions and engine size similar to the first generation Civic.
THIRD generation pre-facelift model
The third generation City (1996 to 2002)
After a brief two year gap, the City was back from retirement with the third generation Honda City, codenamed SX8. Primarily meant for the South East Asian market only, this was the first Honda City assembled in the Philippines but the first production began in Honda’s new plant in Thailand. The third generation City was positioned right below the Honda Civic for developing markets in other parts of Asia including Malaysia, Indonesia and India. By 2000, a facelifted version was introduced called the Type Z.
FOURTH generation pre-facelift model
The fourth generation City (2002 to 2008)
This model made its world premiere at the Thailand International Motor Expo in 2002. Aside from the front-wheel drive layout, it also has a four-wheel drive variant. It initially came with a twin-spark “i-DSI ”engine producing 86.79 HP, offering added fuel economy. A VTEC engine variant came in a year after with a seven-speed Multimatic CVT automatic transmission. By 2005, Honda introduced a facelifted version with major exterior changes in grille and headlamp designs. The overall length was also extended by 65 mm in front and 15 mm at the rear. It still used the L-series engine but with a redesigned intake manifold and upgraded suspension as well.
The fifth generation City (2008 to 2013)
FIFTH generation model
Aside from the Philippines, the previous fifth-generation City was manufactured in a number of locations including Thailand, Pakistan and Brazil. It had a wider range and trim levels, depending on the market. But in Asia, it usually came in three variants (S, V and SV trim models). By 2011, Honda gave the City a new front grille design, front and rear bumpers, taillights and redesigned alloy wheels. It also added an eco driving indicator and dual front airbags to every model. Its ground clearance is increased by 165 mm (previously 160 mm) and overall length was increased by 20 mm.
In 2009, the City was also built and marketed in large volumes outside of its main market Asia, after production began in its Brazil plant. Using this production base, it began exports to Mexico and other significant markets in the Latin American countries. By March 2011, Honda began production of the City in Argentina. The City was the first Japanese car ever built in Argentina.
THE 2014 model and the previous generation.
Locally, with three generations of the Honda City in the market, the City has earned a following not only for the consumer market but for car enthusiasts as well. Car clubs like the Honda City Club PH have emerged showing a cult following for these trusty Hondas that allow owners to share their ownership experiences as well as tips on how to tune their beloved cars.
(The Honda City was introduced in the Philippines from the third generation onwards, thus the 2014 model is considered just the fourth gen here)
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
