Tag Archives: 1.5L

Honda City Generasi Ke-4 Resmi Diluncurkan di India

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Honda meluncurkan City generasi ke-4 (atau ke-6 bila Honda City tahun 1981 juga turut dimasukkan dalam sejarah) secara resmi di India dengan perubahan-perubahan yang cukup signifikan.

Perubahan fisik yang lebih dinamis mengadopsi kredo desain “Exciting H” yang lebih dulu diadopsi oleh Honda Fit generasi ke-3. Tampilan depan yang agresif seakan merupakan sebuah evolusi desain dari Honda City generasi lawas, namun lekukan baru serta garis-garis yang lebih tegas memberikan kesan agresif untuk City generasi terbaru ini.

Pada bagian samping, lekukan garis tegas memanjang hingga ke bagian lampu belakang memberikan kesan dinamis yang sensual. Tak hanya sensual, desain premium Honda City juga tercitra pada bagian lampu belakang yang kini menjorok ke bagasi serupa seperti Accord Euro (Acura TSX).

Perubahan signifikan pada Honda City generasi terbaru ini adalah memanjangnya jarak sumbu roda (wheelbase) menjadi 2600 mm dari 2550 mm. Honda pada peluncuran City menekankan pembesaran wheelbase ini yang berujung pada perluasan interior kabin dan memberikan Honda City kapasitas penumpang terbesar dibanding kompetitornya. Jarak tandem (jarak ruang antara penumpang depan dan belakang) serta ruang kaki diklaim terbesar dengan perbandingan pada kompetitornya.

Mengenai jeroan, Honda masih mengadopsi suspensi McPherson Strut dan Torsion Beam yang mengijinkan kapasitas ruang kargo terbesar dikelasnya. Di sisi mesin, Honda memberikan dua pilihan pada calon pembeli Honda City dengan mesin bensin 1.5L i-VTEC dan mesin diesel 1.5L i-DTEC. Honda belum memberikan angka daya mesin, namun melihat generasi terkini, mesin 1.5L i-DTEC mampu menghasilkan daya sebesar 100ps dengan torsi 200 NM, sementara mesin 1.5L i-VTEC mampu menghasilkan daya sebesar 120ps dengan versi terbaru yang digunakan pada Fit RS menghasilkan daya sebesar 132ps.

Dari segi fitur, Honda India tidak lagi tanggung-tanggung untuk City terbaru. Dari segi sistem, Honda menyertakan tombol start stop dan keyless entry, serta sun roof. Pada interior, Honda kini mengadopsi kontrol tombol sentuh kapasitif untuk pengendali sistem AC. Sistem audio kini diperkaya dengan sistem bluetooth terintegrasi untuk menyalurkan panggilan telepon dari smartphone Anda, kontrol terintegrasi pada setir serta integrasi dengan kamera mundur. Tak hanya itu saja, Honda City kini hadir dengan delapan speaker, dua di masing-masing pintu untuk menghasilkan rentang suara tinggi dan rendah yang matang.

Honda City akan dijual secara resmi di India pada bulan Januari 2014. Kapan di Indonesia?

Sumber:

Honda India Official City Website

Paultan Honda City pictures

Honda Freed 3258 Kilometers Later (prologue)

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I never imagined the day that I will be tied down, let alone the idea of having a beautiful baby daughter. But that’s cycle of life I guess, where I’ve reached “that” time where sports coupe and massive wings are as dead as dinosaurs in everything four wheels.  I’ve been eyeing the Freed for quite sometimes and finally braved myself to take the plunge to a family hauler since necessity dictates that I need to carry baby’s essential which alone already took considerable space on my old Suzuki SX4 Type-S.

It’s a no brainer really when I put Honda Freed on top of my shop list. Whenever my family has a gathering, wherever that is will be an instant Honda dealer lot as all Honda all shape and model year parked in front. My previous Suzuki SX-4 is just me overcompensates my inability to purchase Honda CR-V, a fluke although I don’t have any complaint from owning the car. So anyway, I did my homework and researched the entire family hauler in Indonesia and short list either Honda Freed or Nissan Grand Livina as a final purchase. I finally chose Honda Freed for roomy cabin, captain seat, okay leg rooms, the whole shebang of i-VTEC, 5 speed auto, awesome dash and definitely for that fancy automatic sliding door.

My first impression is already covered in my many odd reviews of the car, this post supposed to cover my experience with the car on many driving scenarios. So there will be some repetition but it will also be backed up by some clarifications. So buckle up your seatbelts and prepare some snacks, because this will be long… In fact so long I decided to split the post into several bite sizes…

I actually wanted to do a write up with a catchy title like “a journey of 10000 Kilometers starts with a single step” telling my experience with the car across service schedules and trips. However, since my work is basically within walking distance, it’s over half a year now and I barely crack 5000 Kilometers with the car… Thank God though since fuel price is over US$1 per liter now, and I could use some savings… So 3258 Kilometers has passed, is the Freed lived up to my expectations? I can only start it with the word “preeminent” (come on, don’t be lazy, bing/google it… hint for google search, type define:preeminent).

Officially Official: Honda Freed Is Coming NEXT WEEK!

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Oh my… What a delightful turn of event this is… It seems that I mistakenly translate trimester with semester. Last night in a closed session, Honda Indonesia finally unveils its intention to sell Honda Freed in Indonesia and the official launching of the car will be held on 11th of March, next week! Wow! This is actually happening, Indonesia will be the first ASEAN country to sell the Freed… Wait… Actually, if you want to put more emphasis on that, Indonesia will be the first country in the world to produce and sell Freed outside of Japan.

Honda Indonesia is very bold, very very bold if I might add… The Freed target market in Indonesia is already saturated with Daihatsu Xenia and its clone, Toyota Avanza. Then the venerable challenger Nissan Grand Livina. Not counting Suzuki APV and the soon to be released Daihatsu Luxio. But should Honda be afraid? Not really… We are talking Honda here! Where engineers are part magician and voodoo doctors.

The Freed first of all, is a front wheel driven, front engine minivan where its competitors are more or less a crossover between two cars sans the Grand Livina. The Xenia/Avanza is a crossover between MPV and SUV, high ground clearance with front engine, rear wheel driven setup. The Suzuki APV and Daihatsu Luxio origins are semi pick up truck with engine underneath driver seat driving the rear wheel. This doesn’t mean a thing, but when you start to add up the fact that FF cars like the Freed and Grand Livina have ample interior room thanks to the lack of driveshaft running from the front of the car to the back… Then it start to makes sense.

The Freed main competitor will be Nissan Grand Livina with its similar FF drivetrain setup. Size wise, although the Freed is shorter compared to Grand Livina, it has longer wheelbase and is taller, these facts should lead to the Freed having more ample interior room than the Grand Livina… Although it remain to be seen.

The last sentence leaves a lot to be desired, and I smell a comparison is coming! Comeback soon, I’ll prepare a paper comparison between Freed competitors in Indonesia… And to some extent, the ASEAN.

4th Generation Honda City Caught Testing In India

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Honda CityThis post has been updated with official pictures here. With the advent of Honda Fit, came along the small compact global platform from Honda and with it, a slew of Fit inspired cars all shape and size. Now that the 2nd generation Honda Fit is rolling out across the globe, Honda venerable Fit based entry size sedan, the City is also due for a redesign. Although the details are sketchy, a forum member of Team-BHP India has pictures of a camouflaged car that is claimed to be the 4th generation Honda City in India. Witty comments and more information of when it will be released, after the click. Continue reading →

Honda Jazz 2008 & Prepare For An Epic Battle… A Paper Battle

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Well, the bird is out of its cage, the all new 2008 2nd generation Jazz (Fit) has arrived in Indonesia!!! Although I didn’t have any pictures, I do have information taken from the official brochure. Then, I will start a new section for my blog here called Paper Battle. The premise is simple, I will take a spec sheet of some cars which I’m going to compare, and compares it… It’s that simple, that’s why it’s called Paper Battle… Comparison based on the brochure… D’oh…

But anyway, here’s the information regarding the all new 2nd generation Honda Jazz.

There are only regular and RS model.

  • The regular version comes with the RS engine 1.5L 120ps.
  • Both version comes with 5MT or 5AT, no more CVT.
  • No future plan to bring the 1.3L + CVT version.
  • There are no moonroof for both models.
  • ABS+EBD+BA standard on both models.
  • The regular model uses 15” wheels, the RS uses 16” wheels.
  • Footrests on both model for AT version (finally!)
  • The RS model got dual SRS airbag, a bodykit, front armrest, keyless entry (akin to Accord’s), retractable door mirror, and paddle shift for the AT version.
  • Multi Information Display to calculate fuel consumption standard on both model.
  • Under seat box standard on both model.


The prices are:
Regular MT : Rp 160 million (US$16K)
Regular AT : Rp 170 million (US$17K)
RS MT : Rp 172 million (US$17,5K)
RS AT : Rp 183 million (US$18K)

Prices are expected to increase as demand increases, and demand will increase! It is priced competitively, still in range with other Japanese city cars (Toyota and Suzuki), and comes with a distinct most powerful engine in its class and the first to use 5AT on city cars.

I’m quite speechless indeed. I know for long that Honda Indonesia will probably follow Honda Thailand’s model portfolio, but I expect huge price jack. The MID, 5AT and 1.5L i-VTEC alone should warrant a premium price for the new Jazz, but it is quite affordable. The brochure even stated that the 2008 Jazz comes with tilt and telescoping steering wheel… I need to see this car in person, that’s just too awesome for its current price.

Damn! When I’m just about to buy 2008 Suzuki SX-4 (long story) and the new Jazz came out of nowhere… Oh well, three months of fasting and resolve to finally buy a non Honda obliterated to hell and back. I just need to test drive this baby and I will have another fasting time to consider the new Jazz or Suzuki SX-4… Damn….

Honda Freed Complete Review

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Honda freed headerWith the ever rising global oil price, Honda finally unveils a minivan to answer the global demand for a people mover which adheres to current global energy crisis. Entering the compact minivan, on 29th of May 2008, Honda of Japan unveils its latest addition to the compact minivan car category, the curiously named Freed. A review from information established on a website might be corny, but you will find a lot of enlightening facts, especially if you can’t read Japanese Kanji. So, a complete paper review based and witty comments from yours truly, after the click. Continue reading →

Honda Freed, A New Small MPV From Honda (Updated!)

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One teaser picture and a bucket load of gossip, that’s right, Honda is bringing out what seems to be an all new entry level 7 seater in Japan at least, this end of May. As it is right now there are only speculations and idle chatter. More comparison pictures and witty comments after the click. Now with pictures from Winding Road.com, it’s official, the car has a two tier dash! Continue reading →

Feel… I’m So JAZZ!!!!

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Wowza! I just browsed and opened up Honda Thailand website for some confirmation of new Jazz/Fit drivetrain. Not only I stumbled upon the fact it uses a 5AT with the 120ps engine, Honda Thailand made a full length jingle for the car… Feel I’m so Jazz indeed!!!!! I can’t stop playing the song at the background!!! Very catchy song… And almost made me forget about buying Suzuki SX4 altogether… Go Honda!!!

Click here if you want to hear the song, it will load in the background.

http://www.honda.co.th/jazz/launch/select_en.html

Click here if you want to see the TV commercial of Honda Jazz in Thailand, it features a portion of the song.

http://www.honda.co.th/jazz/launch/tvc_en.html

I bet to anybody who replied to this post that Honda Indonesia will make a half assed attempt at creating the advertisement for 2008 Jazz. They are probably going to use some hip artist dancing around with a popular song, I bet also they didn’t even bother to look at this Honda Thailand Jazz advertisement.

Let’s Talk About The New Fit Engine

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As I have noted previously on the new Fit engine, a recent review from asia.vtec.net has proved that I am dead wrong about the speculation of the new engine used in the new Fit. I mentioned about the Fit’s engine uses dual sequential ignition system coupled with VTEC cam changing mechanism… As it is reviewed… Apparently the new Fit engine make do with single ignition system.

My assumption was stemmed from the new Fit 1.3L engine torque curve which maxed out at 2800 rpm (the same as the outgoing 1.3L i-DSI engine), and flat lined with tendency to dip. However at 3200 rpm the torque shoots up again until it reaches 5100 rpm, most likely attributed to the change of hotter cam profile, a proof of VTEC mechanism applied. However, as I have noted, the engine uses a single ignition system… And I can only say… WHAT THE @#)(*&^%$! HONDA!! Why can’t you use this system since day 1??!! I’m upset because as an i-DSI Fit owner, the 1.3L I-VTEC is like a dream engine, high torque at low rpm but can spins high and produce more power. The outgoing 1.3L i-DSI engine only produces 86hp, 14hp less than the new engine with the same fuel consumption.

The new 1.3L I-VTEC achieves power and frugality similar to the outgoing engine because it employs valve deactivation system… I’ll quit the technical mumbo jumbo, and go straight to the point. When the 1.3L engine is cruising it runs on 12 valve, while running hot (accelerating), the full 16 valve goes into action. Just what VTEC was intended, frugal low speed and cruise speed, while power can be achieved at wide open throttle condition

The new 1.5L I-VTEC produces a good 120ps, the highest naturally aspirated production 1.5L power output on any car in Japan. This number I assumed came from a “chipped” 110ps old VTEC engine… And again I am dead wrong. The old 1.5L VTEC uses valve deactivation system that is now used on the new 1.3L I-VTEC. Replacing that system is a full 16 valve that unlike found on the 1.3L version is that the 1.5L changes the valve timing and it also employs a cam changing system. While the 1.3L valve deactivation system is intended for low speed/cruising speed as the engine allow it, the 1.5L is designed for all out performance. Because the 1.5L only changes the valve timing, it is faster at generating torque across the rpm range, no flat line or dip in the torque curve like the 1.3L engine because it takes a bit time in activating the valve.

I really don’t know what I’m talking about here except for the 1.3L I-VTEC engine… After all, aside from marketing and general Honda stuff, I’m clueless… (Well, I have some more qualification but I don’t want to brag). More clear information can be read on asia.vtec.net website provided below.

Temple Of VTEC ASIA Fit Engine Overview