Driving the City to the country

Weekend getaways are always a treat for me. Driving is a joy quite like nothing else in my life. When I drive I am able to clear the many cobwebs that fill my mind during the workweek, hopefully making it clear enough to start a new week ahead.

And, on this rainy weekend — with another storm threatening to send lots of rain in Luzon — I took the chance to get moving to Batangas on a Honda City.

Call this a Honda City-revisited drive, if you like. After all, I have taken the City for a spin more than once on the busy streets of Metro Manila.

So, what is new with the Honda City?

The popularity of the City among Pinoy drivers is huge. Matter of fact, this lone locally produced Honda vehicle is among the bestselling cars of the company, contributing 44 percent to the company’s August sales.

A Breath Of Fresh Air

A trip outside Metro Manila is also a good time for me to breathe fresh air, and, hopefully, drive a vehicle that won’t contribute to polluting the air. This is where the City comes in. Honda recently announced that the City had acquired Euro 4 emission standard certification from Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). It is the first vehicle in Honda’s lineup to be locally certified with Euro 4 level emission standards.  

“It has always been one of our thrusts to leave blue skies for our children. As part of our continuing mission to do so, we at Honda are one with the government’s endeavor to help protect and sustain our environment and do our part to ensure breathable clean air. We would like to assure our customers that Honda takes proactive actions to help contribute in reducing the destruction of our ozone layer and the effect of global warming,” said HCPI president and general Manager Toshio Kuwahara.

As I drove towards Batangas, heavy and dark clouds were forming. I continued to forge on, hoping to make it to Lian, Batangas before getting rained out.

The drive down SLEX was smooth and traffic was light.  And, for the first time in a long time, I opted to try out the audio system. The City is equipped with an Audio Visual Navigation (AVN) system in a seven-inch touch screen display that allows intuitive access to all features and functions.

The AVN system has Garmin navigation and offers convenient features such as 3D map viewing, next turn information (distance), speed limit reminder, over speed warning, Expressway Exit Guide and Photoreal Junction View when encountering complex intersections.

For added convenience, Honda Dealers Point of Interest is embedded in the AVN system, which allowed me to search for all Honda sales and service locations nationwide.  

I fiddled with the system as I drove, being mindful to keep my eye on the road at all times.  I also enjoyed the hands-free telephone connection via Bluetooth. I called home, without a hitch. The audio system is also equipped with different multimedia functions such as a DVD and CD player, voice command features, iPod/iPhone connectivity, USB ports, and FM/AM radio.

Yes, I did connect my iPhone and listened to my fave songs as I drove.

Heavy Rain Pours

When I got to Lipa, Batangas it started to rain, more than cats and dogs. I opted to stop for a snack, hoping that the downpour would cease.

I am a fan of the Honda City because driving it is always a joy. The new CVT allows seamless gear shifting and offers exceptional fuel efficiency. 

Of course, the fact that this City is engineered to emit clean and green air as a driving machine is the ace up its sleeve.   The City’s is 1.5 liter i-VTEC engine with its Earth Dreams Technology, Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) is another plus.

The City I got to test drive was a customized unit, which Honda City buyers, who want a more personal look for their unit, can avail of from Honda. 

Modulo, Honda’s accessory brand, is offered in either Aero Sports Package or Utility Package. The Modulo Aero Sports Accessory Package includes Modulo front grille, rear under spoiler, side under spoiler, front under spoiler, a wing-type tailgate spoiler, illuminated side step garnish, and Modulo emblem. The Modulo Utility Accessory Package will have door visor, door side protectors, seatback holders, tablet holders, trunk cargo hook, and a trunk tray for added customer convenience.

There is the Mugen accessory package, which includes a Mugen sports front grille, a Mugen front under spoiler, a rear under spoiler, and side under spoilers. Customers can opt to add a Mugen 17-inch alloy wheels.

The rain did not stop — and the more prudent and wiser driver in me opted to make my way back to Manila rather than risk the trip to Lian, Batangas.

Although there was heavy downpour, I felt safe in the cockpit of the City.  It was a happy day for me: a day blessed by the One above, in spite of the rains.