I want to walk you through what we know — and what we don’t — about the Next-Gen Honda City. Headlines have suggested the new City will take shape from Honda’s radical 0 Series Saloon. That idea is exciting, but it’s important to separate confirmed facts from smart guesses. In this article I’ll explain the pieces: Honda’s 0 Series rollout, the reported PF2 plan for City, and what a 0 Series–inspired City would actually change for drivers like you and me.
Where Honda 0 Series Really Stands
First, let’s look at Honda’s own announcements. At CES in January 2025, Honda unveiled the Honda 0 Saloon and 0 SUV prototypes. These are part of the new 0 Series — a line of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) that focus on software, connectivity, and thin, light packaging.
Key confirmed facts about the 0 Series:
- Honda displayed the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV at CES 2025 (press materials dated Jan 7, 2025).
- The 0 Series uses ASIMO OS, Honda’s in-house vehicle software for personalization and OTA updates.
- Honda plans some 0 Series production models to start in North America in 2026, with other markets following later.
- Honda and Renesas are developing a high-performance SoC for late-2020s vehicles, aimed at supporting advanced AD and infotainment features.
Those are official points. They show Honda is serious about a software-first EV family. But they don’t prove the next City will be a 0 Series car.
What Reporting Says About the City (PF2 Plan)
Now let’s add the reporting side. Industry reporting — notably an Autocar Professional scoop — says Honda is developing a new modular platform called PF2. The next-generation City is reported to be a PF2 product with a model change aimed for 2028. That would likely allow petrol, hybrid, and possibly EV variants.
Important reported timelines and details:
- The City model change is planned for 2028, with production reportedly scheduled to start around May 2028 (reporting, not an official Honda release).
- PF2 is described as a flexible global platform for small and medium models produced in India and other hubs.
- Reports treat PF2 and 0 Series as separate threads — PF2 to support mixed powertrains; 0 Series as a dedicated BEV line.
Put simply: Honda has officially announced the 0 Series, and reporting suggests City will move to PF2 in 2028. There is no official Honda statement tying the next-gen City directly to the 0 Series Saloon.
How a 0 Series–Derived City Would Change Things
Let’s imagine the Next-Gen Honda City really did take shape from the 0 Series Saloon. What would that mean for drivers? Here are a few clear effects:
- Electric-first architecture: The City would likely be a BEV at launch, not petrol-first.
- Software and OTA updates: You would get ASIMO OS features and regular over-the-air updates for cabin software and some driving features.
- Advanced driving tech: The car could use the new SoC and aim for higher automation levels (Honda has said it wants widespread Level-3 capability in late-2020s 0 Series models).
- Energy integration: Vehicle-to-grid or energy services could become part of the ownership experience.
That shift would be big. It would change not only how the car drives but how Honda sells features, delivers updates, and supports the vehicle long-term.
Direct Comparison: 0 Series vs. PF2 (City Reported)
| Feature | 0 Series (Confirmed) | PF2 / Next-Gen City (Reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery-electric (BEV) focus | Petrol, Hybrid, possible EV variants |
| Software | ASIMO OS, centralized E/E | Unknown — likely modernized but not confirmed as ASIMO OS |
| Launch timeline | Production models from 2026 (select markets) | Model change aimed for 2028 (reporting) |
| Automation target | Targeting Level-3 capabilities in late-2020s | Unknown/likely conservative (reporting suggests multi-powertrain focus) |
Real-World Examples and Numbers
Here are some concrete facts I used in the comparison so you can see the evidence behind the idea:
- CES 2025: Honda unveiled the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV prototypes on Jan 7, 2025.
- Production timing: Honda said some 0 Series models would begin production in North America in 2026.
- SoC development: Honda is working with Renesas on a multi-die SoC for high-demand tasks in the late 2020s.
- City timing (report): Industry reporting places the City model change in 2028, with production possibly around May 2028.
Those numbers matter. They show two separate development paths happening in the same window. One is Honda’s confirmed BEV push (0 Series). The other is Honda’s reported global platform plan for mainstream models like the City (PF2).
What I Think You Should Watch
If you’re excited about the Next-Gen Honda City, here are the signals I would watch over the next 12–24 months:
- Official Honda press releases linking City to ASIMO OS or the 0 Series family. So far, none exist.
- Honda supplier confirmations about PF2 or City-specific hardware. Production planning and supplier deals often leak before official model reveals.
- Market launches of the 0 Series models from 2026 — how Honda prices and positions them will hint at whether the company wants to use 0 Series for mass-market cars.
- Regulatory moves on automation and vehicle software in key markets — those will affect how quickly Honda can deploy Level-3 features in any family.
I’m happy to keep an eye on these announcements and bring you updates if you’d like. We can check Honda press rooms and trusted industry outlets weekly.
Also Read: Top 5 Electric Scooters in India That Offer the Longest Range – Charge Once, Ride for Days
Final Thoughts
To wrap up: the Next-Gen Honda City is likely to change significantly in 2028, but the idea that it will directly take shape from the radical 0 Series Saloon is still speculative. Honda has confirmed the 0 Series prototypes, ASIMO OS, and production starts for some 0 Series models in 2026. Independent reporting suggests the City will move to a new PF2 platform in 2028 and support mixed powertrains. Those are two parallel threads.
If Honda does decide to fold City into the 0 Series family, we would be looking at a major shift to a BEV-first, software-rich car with OTA updates and advanced compute. If Honda keeps the PF2 plan, the City will likely remain a flexible, multi-powertrain global model. Either way, 2026–2028 will be a transformative time for Honda and for compact cars globally.
If you want, I can monitor the story and send a short update when Honda issues any official confirmation. What would you like me to track first — press releases, supplier news, or industry reporting?
