While the first-generation City established itself as the benchmark in the late nineties and set the pace for Honda cars in India, the 'Type 2' City wowed all the performance freaks with the revvy VTEC. Even the regular 1.3 or 1.5 motors were quite peppy and this version of the City is still hailed as the best generation launched here. For Honda fans in India, the second-generation cars were a bit of a letdown. The odd shape took some time to get used to and people referred to the car as a 'fish', 'dolphin' or other such peaceful aquatic creatures! Yes, the cars had good engines (the i-DSi units were as smooth and reliable as only Honda powerplants can be) but the car did seem to lack the all-important Honda DNA. Hondas are to the true enthusiast owner low slung, with snug seats, smooth and revvy engines, sharp handling and exciting looks and driver appeal. This is where the second-generation City failed somewhat until the facelifted ZX arrived with the VTEC motor. But with this third-generation City now out, Honda in India seems to have reinserted the excitement that used to be associated with the City badge.