Honda Fit

The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback subcompact car, manufactured by the Honda Motor Company of Japan, introduced in June 2001 and now in its second generation. The Fit shares Honda's Global Small Car Platform with the City/Fit Aria, Airwave/Partner, Mobilio, and the Mobilio Spike.

The nameplate Jazz is used in Europe, some parts of Asia, Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa — while the name "Fit" is used in Japan, China, and the Americas. Fit/Jazz is sold in about 115 countries and produced at ten plants in eight countries/regions.[1] Worldwide cumulative sales of Fit/Jazz has reached 3.5 million by July 2010.


First generation

The Honda Fit debuted in June 2001 in Japan and immediately became a big hit. By December 2001, it had outsold the Toyota Corolla, and ranked first in sales for nine out of twelve months in 2002. It subsequently was introduced in Europe (early 2002), Australia (late 2002), South America (early 2003), South Africa and South-East Asia (2003), China (Sep 2004), and Mexico (late 2005).

A production model for the United States and Canada debuted on January 8, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The car was released in Canada on April 3, 2006, and in the U.S. on April 20, 2006. In the North American markets, the first generation Fit was replaced after only three model years by a new 2009 model, which was released for Japan in November 2007 as a 2008 model. Subsequent iterations will maintain the same platforms worldwide.

Honda originally intended to name the car "Fitta", but shortened the name in some markets, and renamed it completely in others, upon discovering that in several Nordic languages, "fitta" is a popular and very vulgar slang word for "vulva".

Second-generation

The second-generation Fit debuted for model year 2008 on 17 October 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show. The vehicle offers a longer wheelbase than its predecessor and is wider and longer overall. Overall height is unchanged, while interior height increased by .3 in. Multi-mode seating and cargo configurations are retained, with redesigned headrests enabling more convenient folding of the rear seats. The cabin features greater interior volume, and boot capacity decreased from 21.3[32] to 20.6 cubic feet (0.58 m3).[33] North America models are slightly longer, due to a longer fascia; the difference is visible in photos below.

Two engines are offered in the new Fit. A 1.3 L (~79 cu in) i-VTEC will produce 98 hp (73 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 98 lb·ft (133 N·m) at 4,500 rpm. This engine will be offered in both European and Asian markets. A 1.5 L (~92 cu in) i-VTEC engine is also offered and produces a maximum output of 117 hp (87 kW) at 6,600 rpm and 106 lb·ft (144 N·m) at 4,800 rpm.[33] This is the only engine available in the American market. A 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic (4WD only) and CVT transmission are available.

The chassis was re-engineered, with structural rigidity increased by 164 percent.

"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
The Fit now features improved ride and handling.

Electric version

Honda unveiled the Honda Fit EV concept electric car in the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. A production version is expected to be launched in Japan and the United States in 2012.

The Fit EV uses the Fit compact car platform, powered by a lithium-ion battery pack combined with a high-density coaxial motor derived from the Honda FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Honda claims the Fit EV has an all-electric range of 70 to 100 miles (110 to 160 km) and a top speed of 90 miles per hour (140 km/h).[71][72] Honda also said that recharging the Fit EV will take 12 hours from a 120-volt outlet and six hours with a 240-volt supply.

The Fit electric car, like the Honda CR-Z hybrid, will have three distinct driving modes: econ, normal, and sport. Honda explained that "econ" mode will extend the driving range by 17% compared to the normal mode; in sport mode, the Fit EV imitates the acceleration of a small car with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine.


Awards and recognition

Japan Car of the Year for the year 2001-2002 and 2007–2008
Japan Car of the Year 30th Anniversary Special Award “Best 3rd Decade Car”: 1st generation Fit/Jazz
RJC Car of the Year Award 2002
Car and Driver's Best Small Car in its 2007-2011 10Best lists.
Top Gear Survey 2006: Best Small Car
Top Gear Survey 2006: Second Best of all cars in the survey (After the Honda S2000)
Greenercars.org's One of the Greenest Vehicles of 2007 and 2008
MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards 2007—Best Small Car
MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards 2007—Best of the Year
Best Economy Car for 2008, U.S. News & World Report
Top 10 Urban Vehicles for 2008 - Cars.com
2009 Car of the Year Finalist, Motor Trend
2010 Best Hatchback for the Money, U.S. News & World Report


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