Masterful performance and top-tier safety: The New City and New Brio impress in style at Batangas media test drive
August 15-16, 2023: Select media partners and Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) took the recently launched refreshed New City and New Brio to Batangas to test the vehicles’ performance and safety features.
During the two-day event, the participants got to experience both models through the bustling streets of Metro Manila from Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, to the country roads and open fields of Batangas City, which featured the vehicles’ capable and smooth handling, and the Honda SENSING that now comes standard across all variants of the New City. Then it was fun and at the same time competitive at the Batangas Racing Circuit where power, fuel efficiency, and a range of safety features were put to the test.
HCPI President Ms. Rie Miyake appreciated the media partners’ active participation and winning spirit, especially during the driving exercises, “Thank you for making this program worthwhile as it is fun. These models are among our best-sellers and we really want to showcase their performance and features designed for world-class quality and safety, crafted to deliver exceptional value throughout ownership including very efficient fuel consumption so that Honda can give more joy to more customers.” As a safety advocate, she emphasized the importance of always driving safely even after the conclusion of the event.
THE NEW CITY
The participants experienced the New City’s elevated safety and advanced features, elegant and sporty exterior, spacious and premium interior, powerful and fuel-efficient driving performance, and the biggest upgrade of the New City – the inclusion of the Honda SENSING in all variants.
Before the start of the drive, participants got to check out the even more sporty and stylish exterior features of the New City. Its newly crafted RS design Front Grille with RS Emblem (RS) and new Front and Rear Bumper with carbon-wrapped lower molding (RS) give the vehicle a sleeker, wider look, and a stronger presence on the road.
The participants also took note of the New City’s plush, premium, functional, and spacious cabin that provided all-around comfort for both driver and passengers. During the drive, passengers were kept entertained by the New City’s 8” Advanced Touchscreen Display Audio (RS, V, and S) which has an improved LCD display, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that are now wireless.
By driving through a mix of urban and provincial roads, the test drive exhibited the performance capabilities of the New City. Powering the New City is a 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that delivers high fuel efficiency, cleaner emissions, and fun-to-drive performance. It remains to be the most powerful engine in its segment with a maximum output of 121 PS and 145 Nm of torque.
The New City joins HCPI’s array of vehicles equipped with the Honda SENSING suite of safety features:
- Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN)
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
- Road Departure Mitigation System with Lane Departure Warning (RDM with LDW)
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Auto-High Beam (AHB)
In addition, the New City boasts a 5-star rating in the latest ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asia). The New City also maintained all its top-notch advanced safety features, even further adding the new Rear Seat Reminder and new Walk Away Auto Door Lock (RS and V). These are in line with Honda’s global target of realizing zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda automobiles and motorcycles by 2050, as we pursue the aim of “Safety for Everyone.”
The New City is available in four (4) variants with the following Suggested Retail Prices and Colors:
Variants and Suggested Retail Prices:
| Variants | Suggested Retail Prices |
| 1.5 E CVT Honda SENSING – New Variant | Php 973,000 |
| 1.5 S CVT Honda SENSING | Php 998,000 |
| 1.5 V CVT Honda SENSING | Php 1,073,000 |
| 1.5 RS CVT Honda SENSING | Php 1,128,000 |
Available Colors:
- Ignite Red Metallic (RS CVT, V CVT and S CVT)
- Obsidian Blue Pearl (new color; RS CVT and V CVT)
- Platinum White Pearl (RS CVT and V CVT) *
- Taffeta White (S CVT and E CVT)
- Lunar Silver Metallic (S CVT and E CVT)
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic (all variants)
*Platinum White Pearl- Additional PHP 20,000
THE NEW BRIO
Friends from the media also got to experience the New Brio’s enhancements that cater to the diverse needs of first-time or alternative car buyers who seek exceptional value and long-term reliability without compromising on comfort, performance, and style.
The New Brio’s stylish exterior is a looker with the newly designed Piano Black RS Design Front Grille (RS). This is complemented with Headlights (RS), newly updated Fog Lights and newly designed Fog Light Garnish (RS), and Day Time Running Lights (RS and V variants) – now all LED for both form and function. Participants also appreciated the sleek and sporty stance of the model as the New Brio sits on updated 14-inch Alloy Wheels (V), and 15-inch RS Design Alloy Wheels (RS).
Entertaining the participants throughout the drive is the New Brio’s 7-inch Capacitive Touchscreen Audio (all variants), more user-friendly now with the new Audio Controls with Illumination in the RS and V. For an enhanced driver and passenger experience, connectivity for the RS Black Top, RS, and V variants is easy with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB Port, AM/FM, Android Smartphone Mirroring.
The test drive event showcased the dynamic performance of the New Brio through various road conditions. Experiencing the long drive in expressway, country roads in Batangas, then track exercises at the Batangas Racing Circuit, the friends from the media were able to test the New Brio’s smooth, powerful acceleration for its class, and efficient fuel economy with its 1.2 Liter 4-cylinder SOHC i-VTEC engine. This powerful acceleration produces a maximum power of 90 ps at 6,000 rpm and 110N-m of torque at 4,800 rpm, mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
VARIANTS, PRICING, AND COLORS
The New Honda Brio is available in four (4) variants with the following Suggested Retail Prices and Colors:
Variants and Suggested Retail Prices:
| Variants | Suggested Retail Prices |
| 1.2 S MT | Php 735,000 |
| 1.2 V CVT | PHP 827,000 |
| 1.2 RS CVT | Php 853,000 |
| 1.2 RS Black Top CVT | Php 863,000 |
Available Colors:
- Stellar Diamond Pearl (new color; RS Black Top CVT and RS CVT)
- Electric Lime Metallic (new color; RS Black Top CVT and V CVT)
- Phoenix Orange Pearl (RS Black Top CVT)
- Rallye Red (V CVT)
- Meteoroid Gray Metallic (RS CVT, V CVT, and S MT)
- Taffeta White (V CVT and S MT)
*Stellar Diamond Pearl - Additional PHP 20,000
Head on now to VIRTUAL SHOWROOM or visit the nearest Honda Cars dealership to know more about the New City and New Brio, Honda SENSING, and the latest promos and offers from Honda.
