Even before its launch in India, the new Honda City has created quite a ripple in the automotive circles of the country. Touted as the 'next best thing', the new City is Honda's way of dealing with stiff competition and the soaring popularity of its rivals in the mid-size sedan segment, namely the Maruti Suzuki SX4, Hyundai Verna, and the Ford Fiesta.

At a length of 4,395mm, the new City is 5mm longer than the current model. It also has a slightly wider and lower stance, and a much more sporty appearance. It is rather pleasant to see that the new City doesn't possess the unconventional and quirky profile of the current model. With a very prominent V shaped radiator grille and tapering headlights encrusted into a single unit, rising beltline and a sweeping contour, the new City looks quite aggressive and extremely appealing at the same time.

The interior of the latest rendition of the City is not as dramatic and classy as that of the Civic, but rather subtle and conventional. The attractive silver centre console with its array of black and silver knobs and dials enhances the sporty appearance of the car. The theatre style rear seats in the new City are placed at a greater height than the front seats and apart from being more comfortable, they also provide the rear passengers with a better view of the road ahead.

The powertrain in the new City has been borrowed from the Jazz Supermini, which will also be coming to India soon. The City in India is likely to be available in a 1.3-litre and a 1.5-litre engine guise. Using Honda's acclaimed i-VTEC technology, both engines will have a 4-cylinder, 16-valve layout and will be marvellously agile and lively. The 111PS, 1.3-litre engine and the 120PS, 1.5-litre engine will both be detuned a bit to stomach our fuel quality but still endow the City with better performance than the rest of its competitors.

With a new design, engine options and bigger size, the new Honda City is also likely to command a bigger sticker price. Honda will probably price the City from Rs. 8 lakhs to 10 lakhs. Slated to be launched this Diwali, the new Honda City will sure to 'enter with a bang'!