The car that the rest of the world knows as the Honda City has just debuted in Japan with the choice of just one hybrid drivetrain and a new name: Grace.
Like the Honda City sedan sold elsewhere, the Grace is based on the Fit/Jazz hatchback.
All Honda Graces are fitted with a full hybrid system featuring a 81kW/134Nm 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with an 22kW/160Nm electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. Power is channeled to ground via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission; both front- and all-wheel drive versions are available.
Under the JC08 fuel economy testing regime, the Grace is said to consume 2.91L/100km (80mpg) in front-wheel drive form or 3.4L/100km (69mpg) as an all-wheel drive vehicle.
Safety features include automatic emergency city braking under 30km/h, hill start assistance, emergency stop signal and stability control.
Top-sped models feature rear seat air vents and USB ports, an 8-speaker audio system, satellite navigation and LED headlights.
Prices start at ¥1.95 million (US$16,500) for the base front-wheel drive DX and stretch through to ¥2.41 million (US$20,400) for the all-wheel drive EX.
Etymology
As grace means both elegance and kindness, in Honda’s view the word and the name embodies “the passion of the development team who strived to create a sedan that envelops the time people spend in the vehicle with their loved ones”.
Dimensions
Length: 4,440mm
Width: 1,695mm
Height: 1,465mm – 1,480mm
Wheelbase: 2,600mm
Boot space (VDA): 430L
