The JDM- spec Honda Grace Hybrid has been launched for 1.95 million Yen. It is available in three trim levels, a single engine option but with 2WD and 4WD drivetrains. Looking at the pictures, it should be pretty obvious that Grace is basically the C-segment car we call the City in India.
The Grace Hybrid, in terms of external design, is almost identical to the car that we have but with minor changes to the grille and the addition of LED tail lamps as well as a boot lid spoiler. The interior both in terms of design and feature list have been carried over from the global model but with additions, in the case of the latter, from the Jazz Hybrid. The increased list also includes some more safety features to make the car comply with Japanese regulations.
The Japanese domestic market gets the Grace Hybrid in three variants DX, LX and EX. We know that EX is being offered with AWD but we are not sure about the other two variants. The engine is the 1.5-litre i-VTEC unit that produces 108bhp and 134Nm of torque. The engine has been mated to an electric motor that produces 28bhp and 160Nm of torque while the gearbox is a seven-speed dual clutch unit. Using Japan’s JC08 driving cycle the car has a company specified fuel efficiency of 34.8kmpl on 2WD drivetrain and 29.4kmpl on 4WD drivetrain.
We in India got the 2014 Honda City in January and it is currently one of the best-selling models in the C-segment.