Hornhonker Posted February 22, 2006 Share Posted February 22, 2006 21 February 2006 The just-introduced non-hybrid 2007 US Fit. Japan?s Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that Honda Motor plans to start selling a hybrid version of its Fit subcompact worldwide as early as fiscal 2007 (April 2006 to April 2007). Honda said, however, that it has yet to come to a decision on a new hybrid. The report said that Honda planned to add the hybrid model when the Fit (earlier post) is due for full remodeling. The current Fit series consists of models with engine displacements ranging between 1.3 and 1.5 liters. For the hybrid version, Honda reportedly is developing a 1-liter-class engine. Launched in 2001, global sales of the Fit subcompact totaled 390,000 units in 2005, the third-highest tally among Honda vehicles, following the Accord?s 680,000 units and the Civic?s 590,000. The report says that Honda is targeting fuel economy for the Fit hybrid comparable to the Insight and the Toyota Prius?between 55 mpg US (Prius) and 63 mpg US (Insight). The Fit hybrid stands to become the first hybrid to be priced at less than ?2 million (US$16,900), as Honda apparently aims to sell it for around ?1.4 million yen (US@11,800), about ?200,000 (US$1,685) more than the conventional Fit. Toyota?s hybrids cost about ?500,000 (US$4,200) higher than the gasoline-powered vehicles on which they are based. Honda wants to cut that price difference beween conventional and hybrid vehicles more than in half by developing a smaller motor and battery for the hybrid powertrain without sacrificing capability. Honda just introduced the conventional version of the Fit to the US market in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duck Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Ohmigod, ohmigod! I love the Fit, this is fantastic news! Honda rocks! -Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 IIRC, they said the Fit was launching in Canada this April. Honda Fit Canada mini-site (Requires Flash 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duck Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 Holy crap, I didn't realise you could get it with paddles... mmmm.... -Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattdaddy Posted February 25, 2006 Share Posted February 25, 2006 I wasn't impressed with the Fit when I checked it out at the Autoshow. Then again, I didn't like any Honda. Typical black & boring Honda interior. Not sure what people see in them. Even their bold new Civic interior is a joke. I did however fall in love with the Cooper S Checkerboard Edition. Wowowow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 The interesting thing is that the Fit appears to do everything that is novel about the forfour, like lounge seating, lifting the rear seats, or knocking down the rear and passenger seats for large cargo or sleeping in. If it stays around or below $20 000, then the forfour won't stand a chance. To me, the forfour looks better in photos than in person. The side door indent (a bevel in the tridion) kinda disappears from an angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deezle Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Here's one reviewer's take on the soon-to-be-here non-hybrid Fit (I'm surprised the paddle shifters come on the automatic!): Fit review. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duck Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 It makes sense, the hardware is already there to facilitate it, it's just another input to the ECU that would have to be programmed in. It'd be far more difficult to implement paddle shifting on a manual transmission (it would require the addition of a clutch servo and actuators for the gearbox - simpler to just do it as an auto). Our transmissions are already semiautomatic (even in "manual") which makes paddle shifting a breeze. -Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 At http://www.honda.ca they've begun setting up the Fit's page, but at the moment I get errors for include files missing. What I did see was that the Fit will start at $14,980. That will make it Honda's most-affordable vehicle in Canada. If you want to see more flash content, go to http://www.hondajazz.com (the other name for the same car), and click on "Cars" in the menu. A separate window will pop up with rich media. It appears to be for the UK. Different engines, and probably no curtain side airbags for the Jazz. North-America is getting the VTEC engine, not the i-series efficient ones with dual spark plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 Uh-oh. No CVT for the North American market! We'll get 5-speed manual or conventional automatic. The Sport package adds paddle shifters. Wiki Autonet Carpages Preview (Good!) Yahoo Finance pricing announcement (March 17, 2006) So... Anyone ready to trade up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulsating Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 Mine priced out at $27,912.39, when I did it online. Hmmmm... That's a bit much for an "entry-level" car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted March 28, 2006 Share Posted March 28, 2006 That's a lot of money! What did you do? An LX starts at $17,180 MSRP and is very well appointed. Fuel consumption of 5.6 - 7.3 L/100 km is perfectly acceptable to me since the savings I'm getting on fuel are going towards Mercedes-Benz in scheduled servicing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulsating Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Can't remember exactly what I did - but if you choose the "sport" model it is quite expensive. Everything just started to add up after that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 5.8 L/100 on the highway is not good, not good at all....the Corolla is way better. The Fit fits the mold of what most manufacturers think we want in a small car - a wannabe big car. For example, heated seats are not available. Nuh-uh, it's a dud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Auto has better highway rating than manual transmission, except with the Sport trim.. So minimum of 5.6. Define "way better" when we're only talking marginal (less than 10%) differences between the consumption of the Fit and the Corolla. "Dud" is a strong term to use against a car that is well appreciated in English and Japanese markets. What I know so far is that the Fit has the only satisfactory ergonomic and roomy interior I've been in in a compact car, apart from the fortwo of course. I checked it out at the auto show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 It's 5.3 versus 5.8 L/100 km, that is very significant, considering that the Corolla is an older design. I'd take a Corolla anyday, offered a choice only between the two. The Chevrolet Cavalier was very well appreciated - and sold exceedingly well - too; shall we sing its praises too? OK let me be more specific: I am pleased that Honda is bringing a smaller car to Canada. It's WAY larger than the original Civic, but whatever......at 4 m long it is a limo. However, like the Yaris/Echo, we only are offered a (relatively) gas-guzzling engine in Canada, one with too many HP. These cars are available in other markets with much more fuel efficient engines. Next: small car syndrome. The reason we get the "big" engines in small cars here, is to battle the stoplight drag inferiority complex in the urban ratrace. By choosing a smart cdi, we are an anomalous bunch; it seems that most people are not like us. The other part of small car syndrome CDN style, is the lack of any luxurious options. This is a characteristic shared by the Echo/Yaris and the Fit. Simple items like heated seats are not available and that alone would keep me out of the car (and the Corolla, for that matter). This is one reason I LOVE the smart. Just because one buys a small car, does not mean that one is impecunious or does not have sybaritic tendencies. Some of us could spend 50K on a car if we wanted, but like small cars with a few luxurious touches. Not enough for Toyota or Honda, so it seems. So in my opinion it is a dud, one that will sell very well, but not a car I'd consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartzuuk Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 I will be attending the autoshow on multiple days, and will be covering the efficient vehicles on my site... with pictures... I'm looking forward to seeing the new small vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted April 3, 2006 Share Posted April 3, 2006 On the weekend I got to get up close and do a test drive of the LX trim with auto transmission. First, I really liked the car's fit and finish. Lots of room inside and in the trunk area, and the Magic Seats are the coolest. And I found most of the ergonomics above par. This car can put the Echo/Yaris to shame. Behind the wheel, the experience was pretty ordinary, though I was surprised by the auto transmission, having barely driven one since getting my smart; Touchy pedals and the auto's tendency to crawl ahead. However, what put me off was the footwell on the driver's side. It seems that there is no dead pedal for the left foot. The wall keeps tapering away in staggered steps. Then, after a bit of driving, I noticed that my driving foot was bent upwards at an uncomfortable angle and trying to apply the right pressure on the pedals was causing stress. Perhaps other people without my build would get along with it better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulsating Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 I took a close look at a Fit on the weekend. In my opinion, it looks a lot better in pictures than it does in reality. Is it just me, or does it seem cheap somehow? There was a Civic right beside it on the lot, and the difference in fit & finish really stood out. Maybe I'm just imagining things, but it really does seem as though the Fit is really a cheap car in all aspects of the word. I'll have to go and drive one to solidify this opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 It's nice to see other small cars coming into our market. But the car is - according to a Honda representative at the Pacific International Auto Show - made in China. That could explain the Fit/finish issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 When I say that the Fit has good fit and finish, I'm thinking that it's even better than mid-90s Civics, and a hell of a lot better than the Tercels/Echos/Yaris' that I've experienced. Toyota does cheap. The Fit is solid, and perhaps a bit stiff in the switches. The Fit's interiour isn't upscale but it's like they finally put some design inside to at least make all the parts cohesive, which I feel has been missing on many Hondas and Toyotas of late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
100MPGUS Posted April 30, 2006 Share Posted April 30, 2006 I just went to look at a Fit sport and I liked it. The seats are amazing, the seat bottoms fold up for tall storage, or they fold down and with the hatchback, I could even sleep back there! 31/37 city/highway is pretty good and for about 16,000 US, it is a steal. It gets 2x the MPG of my current S-10 pickup, but you can't tow a dam thing with the Fit. I am getting tired of waiting for the smart to get here... If the one they had at the dealer in Vivid Blue wasn't sold, I would have brought the bike home and came back with my PU to get price on trading it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 The Honda Fit is not cheap and it doesn't lack any luxury items. Powered windows and mirrors are standard. Power locks are standard on the LX and Sport. Keyless remote entry is available. ABS and EBD are standard, as are six airbags and reinforced frame. Auxiliary input to stereo is standard. Sure, these won't satisfy everyone's wish list, and they're probably geared to younger first-time buyers, but its standard appointments and capacious interior at its price does raise it well above its competition and what is typically expected of an economy vehicle, particularly if it comes from Honda (a brand known for efficiency, quality and reliability). The Fit's appearance doesn't look great, but I can accept that. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Look at how many people were sold on the smart despite the negative comments on its appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeT Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 The Fit is made in China FWIW (this was told to me a year ago by the Honda official at the Vancouver Auto Show), and the lack of ESP, no sunroof option, no heated seat option and the poor fuel economy would be a total turn-off for me.The Yaris is miles better for fuel economy (Check GasSavers.org for real-world comparative data), and is made in Japan to boot. But it still lacks the things I mentioned above (in Canada, even though they're available in Europe, as they were for the older generation Yaris). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinner Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 The Fit is made in China FWIW (this was told to me a year ago by the Honda official at the Vancouver Auto Show),That is one person making that claim. But anyone else you talk to says it is Japan supplying the North American market. Wiki. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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