IAB Report - New Honda City CNG showcased in Thailand

05/12/2014 - 13:33 Honda City, Honda, Thailand International Motor Expo 2014 Paranjay Dutt

Comes with a 65-litre CNG tank and an updated suspension system.

If switching to alternative fuels is the way to go, then looking at the current options, CNG certainly makes a case for itself. In Thailand, the new Honda City CNG is one of the products that make use of compressed natural gas to propel itself. Showcased at the ongoing Thailand International Motor Expo 2014, the car was launched in August this year.

2014 Honda City CNG front at the 2014 Thailand Motor Expo — Powering the Honda City CNG is the same 118 hp 1.5-litre i-VTEC engine, but the power drops to 100 hp when run on CNG.

Powering the City CNG is the same 1.5-litre i-VTEC petrol engine that makes 118 hp @ 6,600 rpm and 145 Nm @ 4,600 rpm, when run on petrol. Running on CNG (there's a simple toggle button to switch between petrol and CNG) means slightly lesser power (100.5 hp and 127 Nm). There are two gearbox choices for the City CNG: a 5-speed manual and a CVT automatic unit.

The factory-fitted CNG system comes with a 65-litre CNG reservoir and a few mechanical updates to the car. The latter include revised suspension (to cope up with the extra weight), strengthened structure, and a safety lid which prevents reverse flow of CNG while the tank is being refilled.

2014 Honda City CNG boot space at the 2014 Thailand Motor Expo — The car is identical to the regular version of the City, except the badging, a toggle switch, and a few mechanical updates. Boot space takes a hit though.

Also read: Honda City leads sales in November; outsells Ciaz

In Thailand, prices for the Honda City CNG start at 612,000 Baht (equivalent to INR 11.5 lakhs), while the Indian market doesn't get a CNG variant on the new City. A CNG on the Amaze has been spotted testing though.