During the launch of the City Hatchback at present, Honda Malaysia introduced that it has sold over 22,000 items of the most recent fifth-generation sedan model since its launch in October last year. Of these, much less than 5 per cent have been of the range-topping e:HEV RS hybrid, the corporate revealed at a press convention.
Of course, the e:HEV did miss out on 5 months of gross sales, having solely been supplied in the marketplace from March. The hybrid can also be far and away the most costly mannequin within the native City vary – at RM105,950, it’s over RM19,000 pricier than the subsequent closest variant, the petrol-powered 1.5 V. The latter has closed the hole barely with a brand new Honda Sensing-equipped version, however at RM90,212 it’s nonetheless almost RM16,000 cheaper.
Another potential issue is that the e:HEV powertrain’s operation may be very totally different from the petrol engines that Malaysian clients are used to, and even most hybrids. Most of the time, the automotive is powered by a 109 PS/253 Nm electrical motor, juiced by a 98 PS/127 Nm 1.5 litre Atkinson-cycle i-VTEC engine. The latter may also clutch in at increased speeds to offer motive energy and help the motor underneath arduous acceleration.
The gross sales efficiency and buyer reception of the e:HEV mannequin is not less than according to Honda Malaysia’s expectations, mentioned government coordinator Yujiro Sugino.
