Priced at Rs 9,20,564 in Delhi and Rs 9,68,994 in Mumbai (ex-showroom), the Honda City VTEC combines two different combustion environments-one similar to a racing car (high rpm) and the other a standard passenger car (low rpm)-by using different shapes of cam lobes in the engine. This helps the engine instantly switch driving modes from economical city motoring to swift acceleration on the highway.

"The extremely advanced mechanism of the engine results in giving a unique combination of high performance and low fuel consumption," Mr T Fujisaki, president and CEO, Honda Siel Cars India Ltd, said at the launch party for the car. "This is in line with our plans to bring in more advanced cars to India, to keep pace with international standards," he said.

This engine has already been tried out on Honda's more popular cars, the Accord and the Civic, and its sports cars, S2000, in other countries. The Honda City VTEC is almost Rs 50,000 more expensive than the Honda City 1.5 Exi S (a luxurious version of the Honda City 1.5 Exi), that was also launched along with the VTEC car.

The company is looking at a target market of 12,000 units of various Honda City versions this year. "We know that there is a market for new technology and better looking cars in the high segment," says Mr Ananda Mohan Gupta, general manager (marketing), Honda Siel Cars Ltd.

Regardless of speed, typical engines do not change valve timings and lift. But the VTEC takes a different approach. It has four valves, two intake and two out-take ones. At low speed (or low rpm), the low-profile cam lobes control the two intake valves separately via primary and secondary rocker arms so the valves remain open for a short time.

At high rpm, a hydraulic pin links these two rocker arms, keeping both valves open for a longer time. This improves the combustion efficiency of the engine at different speeds. "The result is effortless city driving, power for highway driving, fuel savings, and cleaner operation," says Mr Gupta.

In addition to the engine changes, the company has given the car's passenger compartment a new look as well. The dashboard resembles a cockpit with a metallic finish, there is four spoke steering and gearshift in leather finish. New, plusher upholstery and a swanky stereo system have been thrown in as well. The car has also been given a sporty exterior with a double-barrel exhaust and a wind spoiler. The new version of the Honda City 1.5 Exi S (for Supreme not Sport, says Mr Mohan), has more cosmetic changes, too-leather upholstery, and better dashboard features, for example. This version costs Rs 8.69 lakh in Delhi and Rs 9.12 lakh in Mumbai (ex-showroom).

But, if all this does not impress you, Honda will bring out its best model, the Accord, next year. Though no company official was willing to put a date to the launch, 2001 has been set as the target, they said.