|  New Honda Fit/Jazz for America was unveiled at 2008 New York International Auto(Motor) Show on 19 March 2008. Fit will be available with North American car dealers by late fall of 2008 (summer 08) as a 2009 model Honda Fit. But Honda has not yet released any specific date for launch or start of sale for this 2nd gen Fit. |
Introduction : First Generation Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback automobile produced by Honda of Japan, that was first introduced in June 2001. The vehicle is known as the Fit in Japan, China, and in both North and South America. It is called the Jazz in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa. The first generation Honda Fit production model for the United States and Canadian markets debuted on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. And it went on sale in April of 2006 as a 2007 model year vehicle.
Cars.com Senior Editor Joe Wiesenfelder walks us through the re-designed 2009 Honda Fit.
The Fit competes with the Toyota Matrix, The Nissan Versa, and the Suzuki SX4.
Some Quotes Of Honda Officials About the New Fit:
"Critics and customers alike have voted the Fit among the best small vehicles on the road.....This new Fit raises the bar even further, taking what was already great about the Fit, making it even better and throwing in a healthy dose of refinement."
— Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda
"We are very aware that the predecessor was a little firm, so we spent a lot of time fixing that. But we believe we've got it just right now." —Hitomi
USA spec 09 Honda Fit/Jazz Preliminary Specifications(specs), Features & Equipment
- Key Features:Honda's voice-recognizing satellite-linked navigation system featuring a 6.5-inch screen, rear Magic Seats, USB port for MP3 players and iPod.
- Safety Equipment: Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), active head restraints, Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side-curtain airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
- Engine : 1.5-liter (91.5 cu in) I4 i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine.
- Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission.
- Horsepower @ rpm. : 118 @ 5800
- Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm : 107 @ 4800
- Tires : 15-inch and 16-inch (Fit Sport) wheels.
- Seats : 2+3 Magic Seats.
- Wheelbase : 2500 mm (98.4 in).
- Length : 159.6 in.
- Width : 67.8 in.
- Height : 1525 mm (60 in).
- Curb Weight : 2444 lbs.
- Cargo Volume : 14.2 cu.ft.
- Fuel Capacity : 42 L (11 US gal/9 imp gal).
Now lets try to answer some questions about the upcoming 08-09 model Honda Fit hatchback.
Why is the 1st gen. United States-spec Fit being replaced within just two years of its launch in America?
Judging by the sales numbers of first gen Fit — over 2,000,000 globally in six years — it wasn’t lacking too much. The answer lies in the fact that in 2006 when Honda launched the 1st generation US spec Fit as 2007 model for American market it was almost 5 years after it was first launched in Japan. Honda was worried that SUV obsessed Americans won't buy its smalll car. But it was proved wrong. Now that Honda is more confident, it is trying to increase its revenue buy introducing one global model in all Fit stronghold markets including North America, Canada and others. As such it does not make much economic sense to build two different Fits.
How different will be the 2009 Model from the previous 2007 model Honda Fit?
Lets break down the comparison between the new and the old Fit in parts.
- Fit Engine & Chassis Comparion : 2007 Vs 2009 Model
Like the original, the 09 Honda Fit uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, but this one is a new design with Honda's i-VTEC variable-valve-timing system and electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle control. An optional 5-speed automatic includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport package. The new engine will produce 118 hp horsepower which is 9 more than 1st gen Fit and a useful 21 pound-feet(lbs-ft) of more torque versus the previous engine. Chassis changes are extensive in the new hatchback, highlighted by a new rack-and-pinion steering mechanism and a suspension recalibrated for a more absorbent ride. - Fit Size & Dimension Comparion : 2007 Vs 2009 Model
The 2009 Honda Fit, is a larger, more mature take on the original. The key change is a windshield pulled 4.7 inches forward on a restyled body measuring 2.2 inches longer overall. The result is a less boxy look, with a plunging nose and upswept waistline, over a two-inch longer wheelbase that creates an additional 1.6 inches of rear legroom. The 2009 Honda Fit is also 0.8 inch wider than the original and spreads its tires further apart by 1.4 inches in front and 1.2 inches in back. Despite these dimensional increases, curb weight rises by only 22 pounds. Equally surprising, Honda has eliminated the spare tire to add 1.5 cubic feet of cargo space, bringing that spec up to 14.2 cubic feet. The new Fit will come standard with larger 15 inch wheels while the Sport model will offer 16 inch alloys. - Fit Interior Comparion : 2007 Vs 2009 Model
For 2009, the Fit’s interior is more spacious and comfortable. Honda is clearly using higher quality materials throughout. If you like the current model’s folding rear seat, you will love the new version’s improved Magic Seat. It offers a one motion “dive-down” function that stows the rear seat flat with the front seats when in the rear position, and does this without requiring removal of the headrests. A variety of seating and cargo configurations are available in seconds. Also the front quarter windows are three times of the size of those in the previous model, and the width of the front pillar has been reduced by 20 mm to provide enhanced visibility. - Fit Price & Cost Comparison : : 2007 Vs 2009 Model
The question is would there be any price difference between the old and new model Honda Fit? Well the 2007 model and 2009 model which goes on sale this summer will have the same starting price of around $15,000 for the base version but the new model will come with more expensive higher version (trims), mainly due to high price Sport option package. Exact price has not yet been disclosed by Honda.
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Will there be any new features on the latest 08-09 Model Fit?
New Honda Fit comes with a government mandated Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to alert the driver of low pressure in any of the 4 stock wheels. Unlike some systems, the system in the 2008 Fit notifies the driver that a tire is low, but not which one.
THIS IS ALL WE KNOW FOR THE MOMENT. WE WILL BE BACK WITH MORE ONES HONDA RELEASES MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION HONDA FIT/JAZZ. FOR THE TIME BEING WE WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THE OFFICIAL HONDA FIT PRELIMINARY PRESS RELEASE.
Official Press Release
PRESS RELEASE
NEW YORK: The all-new 2009 Honda Fit, set to go on sale in the U.S. this fall, is making its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Fit promises to further its leadership in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, including an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™; improved interior functionality, including one-motion dive-down rear seats; enhanced sporty demeanor through improved suspension, steering and body rigidity; and high levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.
"Critics and customers alike have voted the Fit among the best small vehicles on the road," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "This new Fit raises the bar even further, taking what was already great about the Fit, making it even better and throwing in a healthy dose of refinement."
Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides surprisingly large passenger and class-leading cargo space to maximize comfort and utility. At the foundation is an improved rear Magic Seat®, now featuring one-motion dive-down functionality, which allows the rear seat to fold flat with the front seats in the rearmost slide position and without removing the rear head restraints. The seats offer multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations (tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode) in addition to the standard five-passenger mode. Additionally, a new hidden storage bin under the driver's side rear seat provides a place to store small items.
Adding further refinement, Fit Sport offers an available factory-installed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, featuring a 6.5-inch screen. All Fit Sport models feature a USB audio interface1 compatible with current generation iPods® and many USB storage devices.
"The goal is to provide entry-level vehicle customers with functionality and refinement that's a class above," said Colliver. "Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise."
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Fun to Drive
The Fit features a new 1.5-literi-VTEC™ 4-cylinder engine connected to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport. The new engine is designed to offer the best balance of fuel economy and power. Larger 15-inch and 16-inch (Fit Sport) wheels hint at enhancements to the Fit's suspension, steering and body rigidity, which are intended to produce sportier handling without sacrificing comfort.
Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment
The 2009 Fit adds Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology, available Vehicle Stability Assist ™ (VSA®) and active head restraints, to a top-of-class list of standard safety features. With Fit's adoption of ACE, more than 94 percent of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. will include the innovative body structure. When introduced to the 2009 Fit, VSA will be available in the lineup of every model Honda sells in the United States. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts. Additionally, front and rear visibility is improved.
Standard active safety equipment includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD).
More detailed information about the 2009 Honda Fit will be released closer to the vehicle launch in the fall.
Additional media information and high-resolution photography is available at www.hondanews.com.
1USB audio interface is used for direct connection to, and control of a variety of digital audio players such as iPods(1) and other USB devices(2) that contain MP3, WMA, or AAC music files(3). (1) Fifth generation or later iPod, nano, iPod Classic, iTouch, or iPhone. (2) Some USB devices such as those with security software may not work. (3) Except for Digital Rights-protected files.
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