The Honda Fit

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Honda Fit
Source: www.gminsidenews.com

Detroit 01/08/2006 -- The all-new 2007 Honda Fit, a subcompact 5-door hatchback set to go on-sale in the U.S. in April, will make its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Already one of Honda's hottest selling models in Asia and Europe, the Fit is designed to enter the U.S. market as leader in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, refinement, interior functionality, sporty driving demeanor and high levels of standard safety equipment.
Built on Honda's legendary foundation for dependability, quality and reliability, the Fit is a premium entry-level vehicle that emphasizes style, technology and value. The Fit features a 109 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first in segment, 5-speed automatic transmission, and over 90 cubic feet of passenger volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations. A Fit Sport model offers wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with automatic transmission) and a 160-watt, six-speaker audio system. Fit will be supported by a wide variety of Honda Genuine Accessories, including segment exclusive Honda Apple(R) iPod(R) Music Link(R), allowing owners to personalize their Fits inside and out.

"The 2007 Fit provides a new entry point into Honda for consumers considering an attractive and efficient small car," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "The large interior adapts to people or cargo like no other car in its class. It comes standard-equipped with advanced safety technology, and follows in the tradition of Honda's fun-to-drive performance."

Unprecedented Subcompact Seating and Cargo Flexibility

Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides a surprisingly large passenger and cargo space for both maximum comfort and utility. At the foundation is the Fit's Magic Seat(TM), an innovative 60/40 split rear seat that allows the seatbacks to fold down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing four distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations (refresh mode, tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode) in addition to the standard five passenger mode. With all seats in the upright position, passenger volume measures 90.1 cubic feet (slightly less than an Accord's passenger volume) with 21.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row (slightly less than an Element's cargo volume behind the second row). In order to help maximize Fit's useable interior space, Honda located the fuel tank in a central location towards the middle of the vehicle. This allows the cargo floor in the rear of Fit to be relatively low, thus increasing the interior volume.

Fun to Drive...Past the Pump

The 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine generates 109 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 105 foot-pounds of torque @ 4800 rpm. The compact and efficient powerplant features Honda's innovative Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC(TM)).The VTEC system's ability to provide highly efficient operation at low engine speeds and extended performance at high engine speeds benefits fuel economy, power and low emissions.

Refinement is further enhanced with electronic Drive-by-Wire throttle control, which provides quick throttle response, smooth automatic transmission shifts (on automatic transmission models) and precise fuel delivery to the engine. Friction reducing technologies include roller bearing tipped rocker arms, a low friction timing chain tensioner, molydebenum coated piston skirts and an offset crankshaft/connecting rod design.

The suspension set up for the Fit is a combination of a front MacPherson strut/rear torsion beam with trailing arm.

The compact front suspension and rear torsion beam were both designed to allow for a large passenger cabin with a low floor to maximize the cargo carrying capacity.

Fit employs a compact, efficient and highly responsive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system that also contributes to higher fuel economy since engine power is not needed to operate a hydraulic system. The wheel size measures 14-inches with P175/65R14 tires, and 16-inch wheels with P205/45R16 are available as a dealer-installed option.

Estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 33/38 miles per gallon is expected to be among the highest ratings in the subcompact 5-door hatchback class. Emissions levels are rated as Low Emissions Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Tier 2 / Bin 5 by the Federal government.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment

Already a leader in vehicle safety as demonstrated by Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, Honda continues to implement leading airbag technology in all vehicles regardless of size or price. The Fit has the most standard safety features in its class with no other subcompact offering as much standard advanced safety technology. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts, while front occupants are further protected by pre-tensioning seat belts. An enhanced knee bolster provides additional protection for passengers.

Standard active safety equipment includes anti-lock braking system (ABS) with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD).

Paddle Shifters, Audio Options Define High Content Sport Model

The Fit Sport model is the only subcompact to offer steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter controls (with automatic transmission). The Sport package includes underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control, and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires.

The Fit Sport also features a premium 160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, a five-mode equalizer, and an auxiliary audio jack for input from a portable music player.

Most Standard Subcompact Features, Segment Exclusive Accessories

Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and a two-tone interior.

The 2007 Fit promises to be one of the most customizable vehicles from Honda with approximately 30 accessories available at the dealer. Fit will offer the Honda Apple(R) iPod(R) Music Link(R) as a dealer-installed accessory. The Honda iPod Music Link allows the user's iPod (sold separately) to fully interact with the audio system. A segment exclusive, Music Link will control all the iPod's features via the audio head unit with album/song information shown on the vehicle's audio unit LCD display. It will also charge the iPOD's battery.

Other interior accessories include an ambient lighting, trim panel accents (silver, red and blue), steering wheel covers and shift knobs. Outside, the Fit can be customized with Honda Factory Performance equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, Sport package underbody kit, sport exhaust, chrome exhaust tip finisher, rear bumper accents and a sport mesh grille.

A consumer preview Web site for the Fit is available at fit.honda.com. Official pricing for the 2007 Honda Fit has not yet been determined.

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Scion must be crapping it's pants. This looks way better than the xA does, and it's probably (pointlessly) faster as well. If Honda can deliver this at a price that undercuts the xA, Toyota is screwed.
 
This is indeed the ONLY Honda product that even attracts me slightly. Sure, the segment is going to be crowded... The Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa (aka Renault Megane), Scion xA & xB, Kia Rio, Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Aveo, and Suzuki Reno are all competing for the same place...

As it is, the Fit is both a looker and a performer and hopefully carries a low price was well. But if the dealers werent as snooty, I might give it a closer look...
 
This is definitely high on my list – it may very well be the car I take to college. Just make it available for under $15,000, and they’ve got my money (err, my dad’s :D).
 
I've said this in the other thread, and I'll say it again here. This is the "it" car in Asia and Japan right now. It's a great little driver up to 8/10ths, and it's fun on the track. (I've even seen them autocrossed).

One of my clubmates had his car in the shop during our trackday, so he brought this. We did over 110 mph on the way to the track (it was out in the boondocks), over 110 going back, and he flogged the hell out of it on the track. He still got 33 mpg (people have gotten as high as 45 mpg in traffic).

And he beat the crap out of a 2000 Civic SiR (4-door Civic Si, 170hp) in the midfield corners with his only mods being Advan Neovas and an exhaust system. The SiR would pull away down the main straight (obviously), but then the little car would be up his ass again after the next two corners. He pissed the SiR driver off so much, the guy spun out. :lol:

The interior has more legroom than most subcompacts, and it feels like a limo compared to the Toyota Echo. But again, it's only 2/3rds as wide as a full-sized car. The cargo space is pretty impressive, too. There's enough room for me to lie down in the back with the rear seats folded down... but then again, I'm not exactly tall. (5'5" only. :p )

One thing perplexes me... 5-speed auto? So you guys aren't getting the 7-speed CVT? That sucks. The Honda CVT is probably the best CVT in production yet.
 
Toronado
Scion must be crapping it's pants. This looks way better than the xA does, and it's probably (pointlessly) faster as well. If Honda can deliver this at a price that undercuts the xA, Toyota is screwed.

Yep... they better delay that new xB... :dopey:

Anyway, I got to see this car at the L.A. show and as expected I love it. Very nice... a little smaller more like a Suzuki Aerio size but still nice. 👍

The paddle shifters with an auto sounded hilarious to me. Everyone else thinks it's cool and remind them of F1 but uh... this isn't an F1 car. 💡

The clutch wasn't as wimpy as I was expecting too.
 
How can it be a drift car if it doesn't have rear-wheel drive or even four-wheel drive?

Ah, the Honda Fit. It's also known as the Honda Jazz in some places. One such car is going to have MAJOR complications with this car's release. Among others, it's the Chevy Aveo. Honda is the "think ahead" company that I call it. And yes, this does look a lot better than the Scion xA. The xA is my least-favorite Scion. The Fit/Jazz looks very nice and might have a prominent future in the US. I think some people are even saying this is the successor to the Civic, or what the Civic should be, rather than a car with almost 200hp.

It can even make a nice race car if you're good enough. "What? A race car? This thing? Come on now, John!" At least according to the ever-popular Spoon Sports in Japan, you may recall a racing version of the Fit/Jazz which makes some good horsepower for a small car. The racing variant is also in Gran Turismo 4. And you already know that the aftermarket will have plans for this thing. Should be a hot car. I think it will do well in America considering Europe and Japan have the Fit/Jazz.
 
Damn right it makes a good racer. After seeing that thing dice with bigger and faster sports "compacts" on the track, it's on my shortlist for a backup car.

My only true gripe with it is that the front seats are a bit low (give an awful lot of headroom, though) and the CVT shifts better than I can. :lol:
 
Isnt the xA around $13k as a base model? Im gonna go ahead and venture a guess that the Honda will still be more expensive. I do like everything about the Honda more though ;)
 
lets see how long it takes for someone, after it hits the american market, to B and M about it being to tiny for anyone over 6 feet...
 
Football players will. The Fit may be tall for its size, but try getting two people over 200 lbs. comfortable sitting side by side in the back. They did wonders with headroom and legroom, it's the elbow room that's lacking.

Still sweet, though. The nice thing about America getting the Fit is you just have to know Jackson or someone else is going to be making a supercharger or turbocharger for it... and that's good news for the rest of us out here. :lol:
 
My dad and I went to the L.A. Autoshow last week, and they had one on the floor. I was impressed, but I'd be a bit reluctant to own one. (You'd be in a heap of trouble if you lost at L.A. freeway roulette.) The only literature they had on it was a little flipbook starring an orange Fit and some random llama. Good times. :lol:
 
You'd be surprised how stiff the shell is. Honda's been making a lot of noise about how much work they put into making the safety cell on this car. They've done crash tests involving the previous generation Accord, and, guess what? The Fit holds up very very well.

I suppose, though, if you meet up with a 2 ton SUV, you'd better hope that he pushes you aside instead of into a wall... but most Fit drivers I've seen on the road drive like there's no tomorrow, so apparently they're not worried about it. :D
 
We've got it here in Brazil since 2002 and it's one of the best compact cars money can buy. It's extremely economical, build quality is fantastic and ride is quiet, smooth and very fun. Thanks to these qualities, it's been voted the best car at "Os Escolhidos" (The Chosen Ones) of Quatro Rodas magazine for two years in a row now. And this result is achieved thanks to owners' opinions, not any stupid judges or journalists.
 
Cool little car, I sat in one at the NAIAS and was impressed.
 
Most of the small previews I had read by the European press put a good spin on the car, and I am anxious to see it in person in Chicago.
 
Yeech, the more I hear about this car, the more I want it. :D I’m going to have to take a trip to the local Honda dealer sometime soon and ask them when they think they’ll get ’em…
 
Not bad. Was never a fan of the whole 5 door hatch style, but I love the dash and cluster set up.
 
I drove one of these for a weekend in the country with my girlfriend a few months ago. I absaloutley loved it. Great little car. 👍
 
A long time ago I didn't understand why they didn't bring it over here because they could've had market way before the xB did. I thought it was a no brainer to bring it over here. I thought it was a really nice looking car then and I still do today. I never thought about it though because I figured it would never come here just like other great cars we (u.s.) missed out on.
 
VIPFREAK
A long time ago I didn't understand why they didn't bring it over here because they could've had market way before the xB did. I thought it was a no brainer to bring it over here. I thought it was a really nice looking car then and I still do today. I never thought about it though because I figured it would never come here just like other great cars we (u.s.) missed out on.
Yeah, they definitely should have brough it out earlier, considering this is anything but a new car in the Honda lineup, it's just new to us. Bringing it over mid-cycle doesn't make much sense, but I guess they figure better late than never before the next generation Fit comes out in calendar year 2007/2008.

It's almost the same situation as what Toyota did with the Echo Hatchback (Yaris/Vitz) here in Canada a few years ago. They brough it over, and it seemed like just yesterday it was a new model, that the new Yaris was released.
 
I would've thought the only reason they bought it over now is because it's not doing well or going down hill but from all the stuff I've heard it sounds like everyone still loves it. I haven't heard anyones say anything bad about it yet.

As for the Yaris once again they retarded it before bringing it here. :rolleyes: Thank god Honda didn't with the FIT. Not to mention it doesn't really make sense cost wise to drastically change it when all the existing stuff would be new here. :dopey:
 
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