2017 Honda City teased in Japan, advanced safety kit confirmed

The facelifted Grace carries over the changes seen in the model manufactured in Thailand and India.

The exterior features a slimmer chrome winged bar that sits upright and runs into the larger pair of LED headlamps, redesigned bumper that looks sportier with more sculpted details, LED fog lamps, new 16-inch dual tone alloy wheels, LED-powered taillamps, boot lid-mounted spoiler and a tweaked rear bumper. The model teased is the hybrid version, as suggested by the large badge on the front wing, and it is also finished in a new, striking blue colour.

The interior is more or less identical to the outgoing model, save for an updated touchscreen infotainment system, black accents for the stubby gear selector and new half-leather seat upholstery. The City in Japan will also be the safest specification, with the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features which include Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System.

The powertrain is likely to retain the outgoing model's I-DCD hybrid system, which combines a 1.5-liter i-VTEC petrol engine with an electric motor. In the current Grace, it produces 110 PS (108.45 bhp) and 134 Nm of torque, while the motor contributes a further 29.5 PS (29.08 bhp) and 160 Nm of torque. It is paired with Honda's 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.