Honda: Fit/Jazz News
#322
Safety Car
Review
2009 Honda Fit Hits the Fuel-Efficient Spot
NEW YORK — How's this sound: 30 to 40 real-world miles per gallon, modest price, fun to drive, distinctive-looking. That sums up the redesigned 2009 Honda Fit on sale next week. Think Honda will have trouble selling the 85,000 a year it plans to get from Japan?
The Fit's not a hybrid — which is the first question people asked at rest stops. But its window-sticker prices of $15,000 to $19,000 make it thousands of dollars cheaper than hybrids (unless dealers start marking up Fit's prices, just because they can, in this climate of fuel-price hysteria).
The test cars delivered 30 to 40 mpg without any attempt to conserve — indeed with much sampling of full-throttle acceleration. That's better than government fuel-economy ratings for the car. Remarkable.
The testers were preproduction models, but Honda says they were built to production specifications and the fuel-economy readouts should have been spot-on.
The '09 Fit seems so right that we should cool our collective jets by looking first at the bad things:
"A lot of these things that people don't see, don't use every day, they'll pay more for an audio system" than unseen safety gear, says Dan Bonawitz, vice president for corporate planning at American Honda.
He notes that the only way Honda got its Civics widely equipped with stability control was to make standard the somewhat pricey feature. Before that, "Either dealers wouldn't order it or would tell customers it wasn't available" as an option.
On the positive side of things, Fit's lively driving personality is more engaging than that of its main rivals, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa.
That's especially so in Fits with the manual transmission, which shifts so easily and pleasantly it has you looking for reasons to change gears.
The five-speed automatic — most cars this size have four-speed autos — shifts crisply up or down at full- or part-throttle. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel let you shift manually by stretching a finger or two. What's more, the paddle-shift feature is always available. You needn't move the main gearshift lever into a special mode first, as you must on many cars.
Need a lower gear fast? Reach out a left finger or two and lightly tug the down-shift paddle. Use the right paddle to upshift, and hold it a moment to go back to full-auto operation. Nifty. Sensible.
The interior's strikingly roomy for the car's size, which is about 4 inches longer than the '08.
The back seat has ample leg and knee room for adults. Not all midsize cars have as much.
The unique back-seat feature — cushions that lift and latch to open the center of the interior for tall cargo — carries over from the 2008 and now is a simpler, one-hand operation.
The second row also will fold flat for more cargo space, and on the 2009, you can do that without pulling out the second-row head restraints.
The big picture: Fit's a sweetheart for urban and suburban users, but marginal for highway commuters and hill-dwellers.
What? Small, front-drive, four-door economy car, slightly larger than previous Fit.
When? Next Tuesday at a few dealers; most should have Fits in September. Honda expects Fits to sell immediately (which isn't self-serving hype in today's high-mileage climate).
Where? Made at Suzuka, Japan.
Why? Fit is sold worldwide. The one arriving in the U.S. now is the makeover that went on sale in Japan last year.
How much? Ranges from $15,220, including $670 shipping, for base model with manual transmission to $19,430 for Sport with automatic transmission, navigation system and stability control.
How punchy? 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm, 106 pounds-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Five-speed manual transmission is standard; five-speed automatic is optional.
How lavish? Standard features include anti-lock brakes; front, side and head-curtain air bags; air conditioning; power steering, brakes, windows and locks; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack; tilt/telescope steering column; rear-window defroster, wiper.
How big? Bigger than a Mini Cooper, smaller than a Honda Civic. Fit is 161.6 in. long, 66.7 in. wide, 60 in. tall on a 98.4-in. wheelbase. Weight: 2,489 lbs. to 2,615 lbs. Passenger space: 90.8 cubic feet. Cargo space: 2.6 cu. ft. behind second row, 57.3 cu. ft. with rear folded. Rated to carry 850 lbs. of people, cargo.
How thirsty? Rated 27 or 28 mpg in town, depending on model; 33 or 35 highway, 29 to 31 combined.
Trip computers in test cars showed: 29.6 mpg in manual transmission model on short, hilly, two-lane loop. Automatic transmission model showed 39.6 mpg in 280 fast highway miles; 32 in 50 miles of brisk suburban driving.
Tank holds 10.6 gallons. Regular (87-octane) fuel is specified.
Overall: City sweet, highway harried.
NEW YORK — How's this sound: 30 to 40 real-world miles per gallon, modest price, fun to drive, distinctive-looking. That sums up the redesigned 2009 Honda Fit on sale next week. Think Honda will have trouble selling the 85,000 a year it plans to get from Japan?
The Fit's not a hybrid — which is the first question people asked at rest stops. But its window-sticker prices of $15,000 to $19,000 make it thousands of dollars cheaper than hybrids (unless dealers start marking up Fit's prices, just because they can, in this climate of fuel-price hysteria).
The test cars delivered 30 to 40 mpg without any attempt to conserve — indeed with much sampling of full-throttle acceleration. That's better than government fuel-economy ratings for the car. Remarkable.
The testers were preproduction models, but Honda says they were built to production specifications and the fuel-economy readouts should have been spot-on.
The '09 Fit seems so right that we should cool our collective jets by looking first at the bad things:
•Ride. Stiff to the point of teeth-jarring on some bumps. Clearly a suspension designed by a dentist. Honda, of course, thinks the characterization, not the ride, is what's harsh.
•Fuel tank. Tiny, less than 11 gallons, so you're constantly refilling despite good fuel economy. The previous Fit holds a couple tenths more.
•Steering. Despite what Honda says are big improvements, it can be a bit twitchy. Not a car for the habitually over-caffeinated.
•Power. Not enough for comfort on fast interstates or hilly terrain. The fuel-sipping engine has to work like a whipped cur to run with the big dogs on the big roads. Makes you long for the easy comfort of a big Detroit V-8 after a couple of hours. The '09 engine is rated 117 horsepower, up 8 hp from the '08. Torque's up just 1 pound-foot, to 106 lbs.-ft.
•XM Satellite Radio. Nope. Honda thinks buyers will be more enamored of the plug that lets your iPod be controlled via the car's stereo than they would be of satellite radio.
•Stability control. Only comes on the highest-price version — the one that'll be bought by well-heeled drivers moving down from gas-guzzlers, who have lots of driving experience and don't need stability control, which helps prevent spins and skids. Younger folks with less time behind the wheel and a bucketful of hormones will need the stability control but won't be able to get it in the cheaper versions.
Honda brags about its "safety for everyone" philosophy, and this seems counter to that. No surprise, it's about the money.•Fuel tank. Tiny, less than 11 gallons, so you're constantly refilling despite good fuel economy. The previous Fit holds a couple tenths more.
•Steering. Despite what Honda says are big improvements, it can be a bit twitchy. Not a car for the habitually over-caffeinated.
•Power. Not enough for comfort on fast interstates or hilly terrain. The fuel-sipping engine has to work like a whipped cur to run with the big dogs on the big roads. Makes you long for the easy comfort of a big Detroit V-8 after a couple of hours. The '09 engine is rated 117 horsepower, up 8 hp from the '08. Torque's up just 1 pound-foot, to 106 lbs.-ft.
•XM Satellite Radio. Nope. Honda thinks buyers will be more enamored of the plug that lets your iPod be controlled via the car's stereo than they would be of satellite radio.
•Stability control. Only comes on the highest-price version — the one that'll be bought by well-heeled drivers moving down from gas-guzzlers, who have lots of driving experience and don't need stability control, which helps prevent spins and skids. Younger folks with less time behind the wheel and a bucketful of hormones will need the stability control but won't be able to get it in the cheaper versions.
"A lot of these things that people don't see, don't use every day, they'll pay more for an audio system" than unseen safety gear, says Dan Bonawitz, vice president for corporate planning at American Honda.
He notes that the only way Honda got its Civics widely equipped with stability control was to make standard the somewhat pricey feature. Before that, "Either dealers wouldn't order it or would tell customers it wasn't available" as an option.
On the positive side of things, Fit's lively driving personality is more engaging than that of its main rivals, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa.
That's especially so in Fits with the manual transmission, which shifts so easily and pleasantly it has you looking for reasons to change gears.
The five-speed automatic — most cars this size have four-speed autos — shifts crisply up or down at full- or part-throttle. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel let you shift manually by stretching a finger or two. What's more, the paddle-shift feature is always available. You needn't move the main gearshift lever into a special mode first, as you must on many cars.
Need a lower gear fast? Reach out a left finger or two and lightly tug the down-shift paddle. Use the right paddle to upshift, and hold it a moment to go back to full-auto operation. Nifty. Sensible.
The interior's strikingly roomy for the car's size, which is about 4 inches longer than the '08.
The back seat has ample leg and knee room for adults. Not all midsize cars have as much.
The unique back-seat feature — cushions that lift and latch to open the center of the interior for tall cargo — carries over from the 2008 and now is a simpler, one-hand operation.
The second row also will fold flat for more cargo space, and on the 2009, you can do that without pulling out the second-row head restraints.
The big picture: Fit's a sweetheart for urban and suburban users, but marginal for highway commuters and hill-dwellers.
ABOUT THE 2009 HONDA FIT
What? Small, front-drive, four-door economy car, slightly larger than previous Fit.
When? Next Tuesday at a few dealers; most should have Fits in September. Honda expects Fits to sell immediately (which isn't self-serving hype in today's high-mileage climate).
Where? Made at Suzuka, Japan.
Why? Fit is sold worldwide. The one arriving in the U.S. now is the makeover that went on sale in Japan last year.
How much? Ranges from $15,220, including $670 shipping, for base model with manual transmission to $19,430 for Sport with automatic transmission, navigation system and stability control.
How punchy? 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 117 horsepower at 6,600 rpm, 106 pounds-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Five-speed manual transmission is standard; five-speed automatic is optional.
How lavish? Standard features include anti-lock brakes; front, side and head-curtain air bags; air conditioning; power steering, brakes, windows and locks; AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with auxiliary input jack; tilt/telescope steering column; rear-window defroster, wiper.
How big? Bigger than a Mini Cooper, smaller than a Honda Civic. Fit is 161.6 in. long, 66.7 in. wide, 60 in. tall on a 98.4-in. wheelbase. Weight: 2,489 lbs. to 2,615 lbs. Passenger space: 90.8 cubic feet. Cargo space: 2.6 cu. ft. behind second row, 57.3 cu. ft. with rear folded. Rated to carry 850 lbs. of people, cargo.
How thirsty? Rated 27 or 28 mpg in town, depending on model; 33 or 35 highway, 29 to 31 combined.
Trip computers in test cars showed: 29.6 mpg in manual transmission model on short, hilly, two-lane loop. Automatic transmission model showed 39.6 mpg in 280 fast highway miles; 32 in 50 miles of brisk suburban driving.
Tank holds 10.6 gallons. Regular (87-octane) fuel is specified.
Overall: City sweet, highway harried.
#323
#328
My old Civic didn't have VSA and it drove fine. I'd rather have ABS on the Fit than VSA.
#329
Senior Moderator
#330
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Stability assist will be mandated on all cars by 2012. It wouldn't have killed Honda to add it early.
VSA has saved my ass on a couple of occasions.
But its a PITA in the snow.
#331
Safety Car
Hybrid
67 mpg Honda Fit Hybrid due in 2010
Posted: December 18th, 2008
According to AutoCar, Honda will be adding a hybrid version of the Jazz - aka the Honda Fit on our side of the world - by 2010. The publication reports that the hybrid version of the Jazz/Fit will use the same mechanicals as the upcoming Honda Insight Hybrid which will make its debut next month at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Sources say that the 1.3 liter gasoline engine mated to Honda’s new hybrid system should deliver around 67 mpg. Honda announced yesterday that it has teamed up with Japanese firm GS Yuasa to develop lithium-ion batteries for future Honda hybrids. We’re not sure if lithium-ion batteries will be substituted for the nickel-hydride batteries for the Jazz/Fit hybrid.
Honda says that it is hoping to sell 500,000 hybrids annually by 2010. Joining the Hybrid Insight, Civic Hybrid, and the Jazz/Fit Hybrid will be the CR-Z Coupe hybrid, which is also due out in 2010.
Posted: December 18th, 2008
According to AutoCar, Honda will be adding a hybrid version of the Jazz - aka the Honda Fit on our side of the world - by 2010. The publication reports that the hybrid version of the Jazz/Fit will use the same mechanicals as the upcoming Honda Insight Hybrid which will make its debut next month at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
Sources say that the 1.3 liter gasoline engine mated to Honda’s new hybrid system should deliver around 67 mpg. Honda announced yesterday that it has teamed up with Japanese firm GS Yuasa to develop lithium-ion batteries for future Honda hybrids. We’re not sure if lithium-ion batteries will be substituted for the nickel-hydride batteries for the Jazz/Fit hybrid.
Honda says that it is hoping to sell 500,000 hybrids annually by 2010. Joining the Hybrid Insight, Civic Hybrid, and the Jazz/Fit Hybrid will be the CR-Z Coupe hybrid, which is also due out in 2010.
#334
The sizzle in the Steak
...because you can never have too many Hybrids
#335
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Or if you do find one, they're almost as expensive as brand new. Hopefully, gas prices stay down so demand for the Fit falls a little bit.
#336
#337
The sizzle in the Steak
Report: Honda Fit Hybrid coming in fall 2010
Continuing its all-out assault on Toyota, Honda will reportedly launch a hybrid version of its Fit hatchback in the second half of 2010. If that schedule holds true, the Fit Hybrid will hit the market a full year and a half before originally planned.
According to Japan’s Nikkei business daily, Honda will launch the Fit Hybrid in the fall of 2010. The Fit Hybrid will likely follow closely on the heels of the production CR-Z Hybrid launch, giving Honda a full-range of sub-compact hybrids ahead of its rival Toyota.
A new version of the Civic Hybrid will launch by 2012, giving Honda a range of four hybrids, including the recently launched Insight.
The Nikkei also speculates the Fit Hybrid will retail from about $15,800. Honda CEO Takeo Fukui has stated that the Fit Hybrid won’t list for more than $2,000 over the standard car, so pricing anywhere from $15,800 to $16,750 would seem to make sense. Honda is reportedly eyeing 50,000 Fit Hybrid sales per year.
Although a lot could change from now until late 2010, it seems like Honda will beat Toyota to the sub-compact hybrid market.
According to Japan’s Nikkei business daily, Honda will launch the Fit Hybrid in the fall of 2010. The Fit Hybrid will likely follow closely on the heels of the production CR-Z Hybrid launch, giving Honda a full-range of sub-compact hybrids ahead of its rival Toyota.
A new version of the Civic Hybrid will launch by 2012, giving Honda a range of four hybrids, including the recently launched Insight.
The Nikkei also speculates the Fit Hybrid will retail from about $15,800. Honda CEO Takeo Fukui has stated that the Fit Hybrid won’t list for more than $2,000 over the standard car, so pricing anywhere from $15,800 to $16,750 would seem to make sense. Honda is reportedly eyeing 50,000 Fit Hybrid sales per year.
Although a lot could change from now until late 2010, it seems like Honda will beat Toyota to the sub-compact hybrid market.
soooo Honda is going to be pretty much almost 100% hybrid line-up a few years from now, eh?
#338
I'm all for it as long as they have that Honda feel to it. And from what it looks like, the Fit and Insight have that. I remember test driving the last gen Civic and thinking how it felt more like a wannabe Corolla than the Civic prior to it, which was the one I had.
#339
Race Director
For the umpteenth time - at a $2K premium, financially, it makes no sense to get a hybrid - you won't make up the extra in fuel savings over the typical ownership period. The Fit already has great gas mileage. You could get the same bump in fuel mileage by going diesel and the premium would be smaller.
@ :treehuggers: for "outlawing" diesels.
@ :treehuggers: for "outlawing" diesels.
#340
You'll Never Walk Alone
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I don't think Honda is very confident with their diesel engines, especially when competing with ones from VW. They probably just want to focus on one area (hybrid) at this moment. Perhaps it's cheaper for Honda to make hybrids since they already have the Insight, then the Fit hybrid, and the CR-Z hybrid. And now they are partnered this battery company, they can further work on the technology to bring down cost, weight, improve battery life, etc.
#341
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I don't think Honda is very confident with their diesel engines, especially when competing with ones from VW. They probably just want to focus on one area (hybrid) at this moment. Perhaps it's cheaper for Honda to make hybrids since they already have the Insight, then the Fit hybrid, and the CR-Z hybrid. And now they are partnered this battery company, they can further work on the technology to bring down cost, weight, improve battery life, etc.
#343
Pro
Just get a regular Fit and you are awarded with 35-38 mpg and a fun to drive practical car. What else would you want? Adding a hybrid will not save you that much fuel. Anything above 30 mpg to me is a wash.
#345
Really?? what if it promised 50mpg? that's like what a 40% increase over 30mpg. Well worth it, IMO.
#346
The sizzle in the Steak
Honda considering moving Fit production to U.S.
Due to the steady increase in the value of the yen, Honda is considering a new plan to shift some production of the Fit hatchback from Japan to the United States. The fuel-efficient Fit is one of Honda’s most popular U.S. models.
In an interview with Automotive News, Honda president Takanobu Ito revealed that the Japanese automaker is seriously considering the production shift for the Fit. “Considering the foreign exchange, such a structural reform might be called for,” Ito said. “That is the sort of direction we are considering.”
All U.S. Fit models are currently built in Japan, greatly eroding any profits to be made on the small car.
As it stands, about 20 percent of Honda’s U.S. offering are made in Japan, with the remaining 80 percent produced locally. Ito says he would like to see that ratio retained, albeit with the 20 percent mix shifted to high-tech models, such as Honda’s hybrid offerings.
No word on where in the U.S. the Fit would be produced
In an interview with Automotive News, Honda president Takanobu Ito revealed that the Japanese automaker is seriously considering the production shift for the Fit. “Considering the foreign exchange, such a structural reform might be called for,” Ito said. “That is the sort of direction we are considering.”
All U.S. Fit models are currently built in Japan, greatly eroding any profits to be made on the small car.
As it stands, about 20 percent of Honda’s U.S. offering are made in Japan, with the remaining 80 percent produced locally. Ito says he would like to see that ratio retained, albeit with the 20 percent mix shifted to high-tech models, such as Honda’s hybrid offerings.
No word on where in the U.S. the Fit would be produced
Smart move for Honda...the dollar is going to be in the tank for years.
#348
The sizzle in the Steak
Honda Announces Worldwide Recall Of 646,000 Fit Cars
Honda Motor Co. (HMC) Friday announced a voluntary worldwide recall of 646,000 compact cars so that it can examine window switches that can overheat if exposed to liquid, causing smoke or melting or even catch fire.
Only about 10% of the Fit hatchbacks recalled will need replacement switches, with the remainder requiring the fitment of waterproof skirts to prevent water seeping in.
"Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch," the Japanese car maker said in a statement. "If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating.
"An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire," it added.
The recall affects models built in Japan, China, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and India. Of the vehicles being recalled, 171,372 are in the U.K., where the model is known as the Jazz, 141,140 are in the U.S. and 229,000 are in Latin America.
Honda's recall comes as Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) this week halted sales of its most popular models in North America in response to growing concerns that possible defects to accelerator pedals may cause vehicles to speed up unintentionally. Toyota Wednesday expanded its recall to Europe and on Thursday to China.
Only about 10% of the Fit hatchbacks recalled will need replacement switches, with the remainder requiring the fitment of waterproof skirts to prevent water seeping in.
"Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch," the Japanese car maker said in a statement. "If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating.
"An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire," it added.
The recall affects models built in Japan, China, Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and India. Of the vehicles being recalled, 171,372 are in the U.K., where the model is known as the Jazz, 141,140 are in the U.S. and 229,000 are in Latin America.
Honda's recall comes as Toyota Motor Corp. (TM) this week halted sales of its most popular models in North America in response to growing concerns that possible defects to accelerator pedals may cause vehicles to speed up unintentionally. Toyota Wednesday expanded its recall to Europe and on Thursday to China.
#349
אני עומד עם ישראל
Eh, I checked my ownerlink on the Honda website. They didn't list my fit yet, I wonder how long before they update or if it's only certain VINs that are affected.
#351
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
WTF is with all the recalls lately? Granted, this one is not nearly as severe as some others (*ahem* Toyota *ahem*) but still.
#352
The sizzle in the Steak
Fatalities....
OKYO/JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co recalled 646,000 of its Fit/Jazz and City automobiles globally over a faulty window switch after a child died when fire broke out in a car last year.
The recall includes 140,000 vehicles in the United States and covers the models sold in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, but not Japan, a spokeswoman said.
The Fit is Honda's best-selling model in Japan.
Earlier this week, Toyota Motor Corp's announced it would extend to Europe and China a recall of millions of vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals and floor mats.
Honda said the recall was to fix a defective master switch, which could cause water to enter the power window switch and in some cases cause a fire.
There were three reported cases of fires due to the defect, two in the United States and one in South Africa, the spokeswoman said.
A spokesman for Honda in Britain said the company had recalled all 2002-2008 year model Jazz units in South Africa and will recall 172,000 units in Britain after a fire broke out in one last year, killing a toddler.
Honda said on its website www.honda.co.za it would "inspect and modify driver door power-window switches that may, in some cases, short circuit as a result of water intrusion."
Vanilla Nurse was killed on her second birthday in Cape Town in September last year when the car she was sleeping in caught fire.
"There has been a recall to do with a window switch and 172,000 cars will be affected by the recall in the UK," a Honda UK spokesman told Reuters on Friday.
"The recall will start toward the end of February. Now we will start talking to customers and dealers as to how we set up that recall."
Honda UK said that water was entering the drivers' window of its Jazz model and reaching a master power switch, potentially causing the switch to overheat and "potentially cause fire."
"At the recall a waterproof skirt will be fitted to the window to avoid any damage," the spokesman added.
Honda's Jazz was its best-selling brand in South Africa in December, selling 352 units during the month.
The recall includes 140,000 vehicles in the United States and covers the models sold in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, but not Japan, a spokeswoman said.
The Fit is Honda's best-selling model in Japan.
Earlier this week, Toyota Motor Corp's announced it would extend to Europe and China a recall of millions of vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals and floor mats.
Honda said the recall was to fix a defective master switch, which could cause water to enter the power window switch and in some cases cause a fire.
There were three reported cases of fires due to the defect, two in the United States and one in South Africa, the spokeswoman said.
A spokesman for Honda in Britain said the company had recalled all 2002-2008 year model Jazz units in South Africa and will recall 172,000 units in Britain after a fire broke out in one last year, killing a toddler.
Honda said on its website www.honda.co.za it would "inspect and modify driver door power-window switches that may, in some cases, short circuit as a result of water intrusion."
Vanilla Nurse was killed on her second birthday in Cape Town in September last year when the car she was sleeping in caught fire.
"There has been a recall to do with a window switch and 172,000 cars will be affected by the recall in the UK," a Honda UK spokesman told Reuters on Friday.
"The recall will start toward the end of February. Now we will start talking to customers and dealers as to how we set up that recall."
Honda UK said that water was entering the drivers' window of its Jazz model and reaching a master power switch, potentially causing the switch to overheat and "potentially cause fire."
"At the recall a waterproof skirt will be fitted to the window to avoid any damage," the spokesman added.
Honda's Jazz was its best-selling brand in South Africa in December, selling 352 units during the month.
#353
Senior Moderator
Ack.
#354
The sizzle in the Steak
If you have a Fit...and it's been raining lately where you live......
Don't park your car in your garage.
Don't park your car in your garage.
#357
אני עומד עם ישראל
#358
אני עומד עם ישראל
'02-08? First Gen Fits affected?
#359
Safety Car
Hybrid Spied
As the European brands chase the benefits of diesel in smaller cars--though they're sticking their toes in the hybrid/electric waters as well--the Japanese carmakers continue to push forward with their established hybrid systems. This year will see the addition of Honda's hybrid system to the Fit (known elswhere as the Jazz), which joins the new CR-Z hybrid as one of Honda's--and the market's--smallest.
Honda is one of the few companies to focus its hybrid efforts on smaller cars. Most of its competitors are using the systems to boost fuel economy for midsize and larger cars, leaving the smaller cars to conventional power for their efficiency--in Europe, with diesels in particular. It's usually cheaper and more cost-effective to do so, but Honda thinks hybrid drive is the future of small cars, and it's already put its cards on the table with the 2011 CR-Z.
Concerns about price and benefit for the small-car segment are relevant: the current standard Fit starts at just $14,900, and doesn't run far above $20,000 even when outfitted with every available feature, though the Mugen performance/appearance parts can quickly push the price north of $25,000. Even so, that doesn't leave much room to add $1,500-$2,000 for the cost of the hybrid system, meaning Honda will be pressed to make the Fit a good buy against similarly-sized and -featured vehicles.
On the flip side, adding hybrid drive to the already petroleum-parsimonious Fit could make for a car with mileage figures in the upper-60-mpg range, which is itself a selling point for many, regardless of the price premium.That sort of speculation tends toward pessimism when the even-smaller CR-Z's mpgs are taken into account, though: the "sporty" hybrid manages just 36/38 mpg city/highway.
As for its appearance, the new hybrid version of the Fit looks largely unchanged from the standard model. Badging and exterior trim are likely the only cues that will be used to distinguish the hybrid from a distance. We expect to see the 2011 Honda Fit Hybrid unveiled later this year, with sales toward the end of the year or early 2011.
#360
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
<--- Pretending to be excited.