Honda City Hatchback to Step its Foot in the Land of Dragons

MANILA: Honda City is a car that shares huge popularity among many countries, be it the United States, China or the Philippines. And when this famous bee of the auto town is up for a transformation from being a sedan to a hatch, it is indeed counted as a big thing. Well, as per Dongfeng-Honda, a major distributor of Honda in China is planning to grace the country with a hatch version of the City soon. The report further mentions that the selected date for the unveiling is finalised and it will fall on September 2, 2016. Yes, it is the same day when 2016 Chengdu Motor Show will open its doors and Honda China will for sure put up a successful show, all thanks to the City hatch version. So, like the Vios, City hatch will be first displayed to the Chinese and then to the rest of the world.

Here's a small info pill, don't get confused if you hear the name Gienia at the soon to kick auto show. As Honda City is sold by under the name Honda Griez in China and as per inputs coming from China the hatch version is expected to be called Gienia.

Well, the car shares its platform with Honda City and is the production version of 2014 Beijing Auto Show showcased Honda Concept B. If noticed closely, both the concept and production version shares quite a few similarities. Like both the cars features same large bold wing face and boomerang tail lamps.

In addition, some exterior inputs are also taken from Honda City sedan version. Especially the masculine grille, chrome outlined large air dam and projector headlamps. Side profile of Gienia also reminds one of City, however, it's the rear that is completely new and unborrowed.

Under its smooth hood, hatch version of City is expected to house a 1.5-litre petrol mill that will come paired with CTV. This City hatch arrival is strictly restricted to China border for now. And as for the Philippines market it seems Honda wants us to enjoy the new Civic for a little while longer.

Image Credits: Autohome