Is Honda Cars PH launching a new car next month?
Ever since the local launch of the all-new Honda Civic Type R in January, Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has remained pretty mum about what new models it is expected to introduce this year and when.
Well it seems like we won’t have to wait too long as the Japanese automaker has sent out invites for an “exciting Honda event” to be held on July 13, 2023. No details have been given as to whether it really is a launch but usually these kinds of detail-less invites actually are for new launches.
Now, assuming that they will be launching a new model, what could it be? We do have a few candidates:
Refreshed Honda Brio
Our first suspect is the refreshed Honda Brio which was recently unveiled in Indonesia. According to several sources, Toyota Motor Philippines is currently gearing-up for the local introduction of the all-new Toyota Wigo, the Honda Brio’s direct competitor. That would make sense as HCPI will definitely want to compete with such high-volume models with its own and of course, a much fresher one.
In that recent update, the Honda Brio received a new and larger front grille, sportier front bumper with new fog lights on the RS, and updated wheel designs. For its interior, Honda has given it push button start, and a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Under the hood remains the same 1.2-liter Inline 4-cylinder i-VTEC engine that produces 90 horsepower and 110 Nm of torque, paired to either a 5-speed manual transmission or CVT.
Refreshed Honda City
Another possible candidate is the updated Honda City which was also recently revealed, this time for the Indian market. This would also make lot’s of sense as the City is one of Honda’s main volume drivers in the Philippine market. Also, according to some sources, dealers have already exhausted their stocks of the pre-refresh City to make way for this new one which leads us to believe that it is very likely to arrive in the market very soon.
Looking at its exterior, the 2023 Honda City still looks pretty much similar to the pre-refresh model. New for this update are its front and rear bumpers, front grille pattern, alloy wheel designs, and partially digital instrument cluster. It also now comes available with Honda SENSING.
While it gets the same 1.5-liter i-VTEC under the hood, India also gets a hybrid powertrain. HCPI may take this chance to be the first in the segment to offer an electrified powertrain but this is very unlikely at the moment.
All-new Honda CR-V
Finally, our third and last suspect is the all-new Honda CR-V. While the outgoing CR-V is still enjoying a decent amount of sales, it is very much due for replacement, being HCPI’s oldest offering in its lineup today. Revealed for the North American market nearly a year ago, and the for the ASEAN in April, this is already very close to our shores.
This all-new Honda CR-V receives a mix of sportier, more premium, and more rugged styling, following the brand’s latest design language for its crossovers as first seen on the larger Honda Pilot. Like before, the Honda CR-V gets options for 5- and 7-seater arrangements in the ASEAN region which we can expect here as well. Of course, it should come with Honda SENSING as standard.
Under the hood, Thailand has said good bye to the 1.6-liter i-DTEC turbodiesel which made the outgoing generation very popular here. In its place is a new 2.0-liter Inline 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with two electric motors. It produces 178 horsepower and a healthy 335 Nm of torque, paired to an E-CVT. Another option is the Honda Accord’s 1.5-liter turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder which produces 190 hp and 240 Nm. Hopefully we see this both here in case they stop offering the diesel.
Well there you have it, which do you think Honda Cars Philippines will be introducing in our market? The brand says they’ll be giving more information regarding the event soon so all we can do now is wait and see.
