dom

Well since we've seen spy pics of the Fit Wagon here at Honda HQ in Toronto we can sure the Fit Wagon is coming. I'd be interesting to see if the Sedan makes it over as well. If it does, I'd bet its a US only model.

provench

So what's the latest speculation/rumor on this smaller MDX? Is that the infamouse RDX thing? I lose track of all this stuff. This could be an interesting car for the wife in the future, especially if it is released as a hybrid

provench

So how is this thing going to sell in addition to the Civic? Amazing how large the civic has gotten over the last 15 years. Maybe there is room, but seems like this might just rob sales from the Civic that is getting it's butt kicked.

dom

Last we heard about it from the oracle is a 05 release as on 06 model. I think its based off the next gen CR-V platform and will use a 2.4L I4 from the TSX.

Justin also said something about the tranny, can't remember I'll have to go find that thread. I'd expect a V6 or a hybrid version as there's no way a I4 Lux SUV can compete.

dom

Civic will be moving even more upmarket than it already is I'd guess. I would'nt expect an engine smaller than 2.0L in the next gen Civic. We can expect an engine no bigger than 1.5L in the Fit.

Expect the Fit to steal sales from Kia, Hyundai and the new Chev, Suzuki twins (Aveo and Swift)

I'll be in the market next year and I'm just hoping they call it "Fit" and not "Jazz". Now if only i can convince the wife to get a Fit over a CR-V or Equinox. With gas prices as they are, it should'nt be too hard.

xizor

P.I.M.P.

Professor Gascan

They need to get their butts in gear with the RD-X. I'd expect it to be shown at Detroit or New York next year in concept form, with production model in the fall 05.

captainjack

A US Fit is great news for Honda. I've been saying for years they need an entry-levelmobile. Watching the super-bizzaro ricification of these will be fun too.

dabuda

interesting, tuned from 110hp to 125hp already...

ABP-CL9-TSX

I was really thinking about getting the Scion xB when it comes out in June, but I guess I can put that on hold if the Fit/Jazz comes stateside. I really like the look of the Fit/Jazz(5 door is way better looking than the Fit Aria IMO).

As for the Acura small SUV.....I just hope its not a luxurized CR-V with cosmetic changes...that would be bad! I wouldn't want to see a GM or Ford rebadging job on this one.:thumbsdn:

phile

I think the RD-X is supposedly based on the Accord (TSX-sized) platform, so it can't be a rebadged CR-V.

kenbiddulph

Honda plans on making the Civic more upscale, think of what Volkswagen has done to the Jetta.

The Civic will probably have a detuned K20 engine ranging from 140 hp to 200 hp, possibly a leather option.

The Fit/Jazz will almost certainly be the 5 door. I wish the 4 door will come along too but the only models seen so far in Canada and the US have been 5 doors.

The Fit/Jazz will be priced from $10,000 to $13,000.

I'm thinking that Honda will wait until it is redesigned next year, as I can't imagine them bringing over a model in its last build year.

Lung Fu Mo Shi

The last model year of the Civics are both heavier and nearly the same size as my old 1990 Honda Accord.

dabuda

do you mean scion xC? i thought the xA and xB were already out...

dom

Scion has'nt yet been released in alot of Eastern states and Canada. In fact I think only a few states have gotten the Scion brand?

heyitsme

Hope it looks better than that when it gets here, looks like an unsporty minivan.

I don't see the civic moving upscale, that would just push buyers to the corolla, instead more features made standard, better quality, more comparible performance like what happened with the accord.

dabuda

oh, didnt know that...i've seen a lot of modded scions esp in LA the past few months so i thought it was nationwide already

1SICKLEX

domn, we have Scion in GA, for about 2 or 3 months now. It's in the SE looking at their forums.
From my reading, the Acura baby SUV will be a rebadged CR-V which I pray is not true.

AcuraFan

Well, I think justin said the new SUV will be based on the TSX platform...so my guess is, it'll probably be about as "rebadged" as the RX330 is a "rebadged" Camry. Besides, even if it were based on the CRV, my thought is, it'll still be quite a different vehicle. Look at the Odyssey/MDX/Pilot or RSX/Civic, etc. They are built on similar platforms and are still quite different vehicles. imho

phile

Was it the Oracle who mentioned it? I don't even remember, but it's not on the CR-V platform.

lostJR

As far as I know, there are no plans to introduce the Scions in Canada. We make do with the Echo hatch in two and four door models.

Canada isn't a huge market, but the Fit hatch would do well here. Already I am seeing a lot of those GM Daewoos, mostly the smaller ones.

dom

Can't recall where I read it, but I'm sure I did read that Scion will be marketed in Canada within the next few years. Or maybe it was just discussion, I'm not sure.

And ya, those Aveo's and Swifts are pretty popular up here. I'd imagine a Honda at that price range would dominate the market. The Echo Hatch while probly more reliable than the Daewoo's, is I think a tad too expensive and too small and funny looking to sell well.

I'm waiting for the Fit to arrive before I make a decesion on buying a new car.

Dan Martin

My friend wants to import a tC to Canada but I have a feeling it will be more trouble than its worth.

dom

Whats the big deal with this tC?

From what I've read the next Celica will be a pretty good car with a Yamaha stroked 2.4L pushing out 230HP compared to the tC's 2.4L 160HP engine.

AcuraFan

I'm pretty sure it was...back when he was talking about the transmission for it, I think he said it was going to be on one of the Accord platforms (either JDM or US Accord, I can't remember which).

Dan Martin

It looks like a decent car but I keep recomending the Mazda 3 to him. He doesn't want a 3 because he's worried that there is too much Ford DNA in it. Also his Corolla has lasted 13yrs with just basic maintenance. I haven't heard anything about the new Celica yet, does anyone have some links?

dom

The new issue of Speed Magazine breifly touches on the Celica and confirms that it will have a 2.4L 230HP Yamaha stroked engine. The fact that the current Celica handles and brakes excellent but lacks power means the next one should be a real winner.

Although the pic they had kinda looks like crap IMO.

captainjack

Nah, much smaller. Deceptively smaller. Think tall, boxy Corolla. Kind of cool in it's own nerdy, Weezer way.


You just described "upscale".

dabuda

isnt the upscale civic considered the Acura EL in canada?

Dan Martin

Well we have both upscale civics and EL's up here. The EL is much nicer than a Civic and not really that much more $$$ either.

dom

No the EL is considered a glorified Civic

peter_mowat

I hope so...what do you guys think?

http://www.vtec.net/news/news-item?news_item_id=247636

TSX 'R' US

I hope so.. Sooner or later they're going to have to...you can only output soo much in the V-6 before you have to step into the V8 range...

stocker2000

It'll keep Honda in the running for the horsepower wars. And I suppose if they use cylinder shut-off technology, that'll keep fuel useages in check.

The only line that bothered me was this one form his "editorializing":

"For a company that prides itself on being a "Motor Company" it seems a little odd that they don't offer one of the most common configurations in the world."

I didn't think that V-8's were that common the world-over. An educated guess would lead me to believe that I4's are much more common than anything else. At least in Europe and Asia. And I'm sure diesel's make up a large chunk of the vehicle engine demographic in those same areas. What world is he talking about?

biker

More rumor. About as credible as Autospies.

sauceman

Werd.

You guys should know better. Honda has repeated time and time again there would be no V8 engines in its lineup. If there are to be news of a Honda V8 to be built, it better come straight from Honda, or else credibilty will always be questionnable.

xizor

I'd rather see FI than a V8

phile

Knowing Honda, it'll probably be 4.0L or somewhere along the smaller displacement V8, as opposed to going 5.6 like Nissan or higher like the domestics.

Dan Martin

Great, but is it a HEMI? :P

98AccordEx

Does Honda/Acura even really need a V8 other than to keep up with the HP war? I've never heard any complaints about the MDX needing more power? I understand it would help with towing power but who uses a MDX for heavy towing? Around here people who tow (frequently) just buy a suburban or tahoe or use a pickup. I just checked the back of MotorTrend and its listed at 8.1 0-60. That beats or is damn close to the Tahoe V8 (8.8), Durango V8 (8.0), Range Rover (8.3), GX470 (8.0), Navigator (10.0), ML350 (9.5), Touareg V8 (7.9).