Honda Fit
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Honda Fit | |
 |
|
| Also called: | Honda Jazz |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Honda Motor Company |
| Production: | 2001-present |
| Predecessor: | Honda Logo |
| Class: | North America: Subcompact Europe: Supermini |
| Body style: | 5-door hatchback |
| Platform: | Global Small Car |
| Engine: | 1.2 L L12A i-DSI I4 1.3 L L13A i-DSI I4 1.5 L L15A i-DSI I4 1.5 L L15A VTEC I4 |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual 5-speed automatic CVT / CVT-7 |
| Related: | Honda Airwave Honda Fit Aria |
| Similar: | Daewoo Kalos Suzuki Swift Toyota Vitz |
The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback automobile produced by Honda of Japan, 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, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.
(This vehicle is referred to as the "Fit" throughout this article for consistency.)
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Although the Honda Fit is now one of Honda’s global models, it experienced a very slow progression as it made its way around the world. The car first debuted in the June of 2001 in Japan. It was then introduced to Europe (early 2002), Australia (late 2002), South America (early 2003), South-East Asia (mid 2003), China (mid 2004), and Mexico (late 2005). A production model for the United States and Canadian markets 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. Unlike most Honda models, which traditionally have 4 or 5-year model cycles, the current generation Fit will remain for a longer period of time due to its late release in North America.
[edit] Models
The Fit is sold in 5 variations. All Fit models throughout the world utilize one of these 5 distinct codes. They are found in the vehicle’s identification number (VIN):
- GD1: 1.3 L L13A engine 2WD
- GD2: 1.3 L L13A engine 4WD (Japan only)
- GD3: 1.5 L L15A engine 2WD
- GD4: 1.5 L L15A engine 4WD (Japan only)
- GD5: 1.2 L L12A engine 2WD (Europe only)
[edit] Drivetrain
Depending on the region, the Fit is equipped with either a 1.2, 1.3, or 1.5 liter i-DSI engine, or a 1.5 liter VTEC engine. All four engines are based on Honda’s L-series engine family. The 8-valve i-DSI (intelligent dual and sequential) engines use two spark plugs per cylinder, allowing for a more complete burn of the gasoline, thereby reducing fuel consumption, and emissions, while allowing for maximum torque at mid-range rpm. The 1.5 L VTEC engine has the typical 16-valve configuration.
The engines are mated to a 5-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), again depending on the region. Two forms of the CVT are offered: the regular, and the CVT-7. The CVT-7 has the traditional choice of gearless shifting, and a smooth, continuous flow of power with the added option of seven computer-controlled "gears" controlled by paddle shifters on the steering column.
[edit] Platform
The Fit uses Honda's Global Small Car platform, which is also used by the Fit Aria/City (a sedan version of the Fit), the Airwave (a wagon version of the Fit Aria/City), the Mobilio, and the Mobilio Spike. One of the unique characteristics of the Fit, which is also present in the Fit Aria and Airwave, is the location of the fuel tank. Rather than placing it under the rear seats, it is located under the front seats, thereby freeing up valuable room in the back. It also allows for Honda’s "Magic Seat" system, called ULTR seat in Japan, which has five distinct seating modes:
- Normal: seats are in their normal position with seating for five.
- Utility: Either section (or both) of the 60:40 split rear seat sink down into the rear foot well as the rear seat back is lowered forward. This offers a low, perfectly flat surface that increases the cargo area substantially.
- Long: The rear seat behind the passenger folds down similar to utility mode, but the front passenger seat folds backward, leaving an area that can hold items as long as 2.4 meters (7.9 ft).
- Tall: Either section (or both) of the rear seat cushion fold up against the rear seat back, allowing for an area of 1.28 meters (4.2 ft) in height.
- Refresh: With the headrest of the front seat removed, the front seat back can be folded down to form a lounge-style sitting area.
[edit] Production
The Fit is produced in 5 factories throughout the world. Suzuka (Japan), Sumaré (Brazil), Guangzhou (China), Ayutthaya (Thailand), and Karawang (Indonesia). Models produced in Japan are for Honda's home market, exported to Europe, as well as Canada and the United States. The Brazilian factory supplies all of Latin America and the Caribbean. Chinese models are sold in the region, and also exported to Europe.
[edit] Regions
The Fit is marketed in different ways and has different characteristics throughout the world, depending on which region it is sold in.
[edit] Japan
Two engines (1.3 i-DSI and 1.5 VTEC) were initially offered, each with a number of trim lines ranging from the basic "Y" to the sporty "S". The 1.3 L i-DSI was available with only the regular CVT automatic. 1.5 L VTEC models are available with either the 5-speed manual, or the CVT-7. Unique to the Japanese market, the Fit is also available in 4WD. Starting at a price of about JPY1,123,000 is the basic 1.3Y model. At the top of the range is the 1.5W four wheel drive version for JPY1,743,000. A bewildering range of options and accessories are available at most levels, including Honda's HDD GPS Navigation System with its 6.5 inch color screen. This system incorporates TV and FM radio.
[edit] Europe
The European market also has two engines available. The European-only 1.2 i-DSI is offered as the base model in many countries, and can only be purchased with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1.4 i-DSI is identical to the 1339 cc 1.3 i-DSI sold in Japan, but marketed as a 1.4 L to differentiate it from the smaller 1.2 L engine (ironically, at 1244 cc, it's closer to being a 1.3, than the bigger one is to a 1.4). 1.4 L models start out well-equipped with the 5-speed manual standard and the CVT-7 available as an option.
All European models have ABS and 4-wheel disc brakes standard on every model. Side airbags are standard on 1.4 L models. In the United Kingdom, the Honda Jazz has received a serious amount of very good press. Most notably, the UK's biggest automotive service, by Top Gear, revealed that the Honda Jazz was the 4th best vehicle on UK roads, as voted by UK car owners. The enormous popularity of the Jazz has made it Honda's best-selling model in the region, comprising 30% of all European Honda sales.
Honda originally intended to name the car Fitta, but did not take a liking to the word's meaning in some languages - in Swedish and Norwegian, "fitta" is a rather crude slang term for female genitalia - resulting in a last-minute change.
[edit] North America
The Fit went on sale in the United States and Canada in April of 2006 as a 2007 model year vehicle. It replaced the Civic hatchback (now exclusively sold in Europe as of 2006) for North America. Honda hopes to sell 33,000 Fits in 2006 and 50,000 per year afterwards to combat rival Toyota Motor Corporation's Scion marque. The Fit takes over for the Civic as Honda's chief entry-level subcompact; the Civic continues to grow in size and price and it was reclassified as a compact (larger than a subcompact) in 2001.
In keeping with Honda's safety initiative, the Fit is offered in North America with standard side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and ABS, in addition to the mandatory front airbags. Due to differing safety regulations, North American Fits have larger bumpers than the rest of the world, resulting in a slight increase in overall length.
The Fit is offered in two variants, base and Sport. Differences are primarily limited to cosmetics and standard equipment. All models share the same 1.5 L 109 hp (81 kW) engine and standard 5-speed manual transmission. A conventional 5-speed automatic transmission is optional, instead of the CVT found throughout the rest of the world. The Fit Sport receives paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel when ordered with the automatic. The base model is priced at US$13,850, with the automatic transmission adding $800 and the Sport package adding $1,320.
[edit] Brazil
In Brazil, the Fit has the same two engines from the Japanese models (All Brazilian Honda cars have engines imported from Japan) and there are three trim levels available. Base model LX features the 1.3 i-DSI engine (which is marketed as 1.4 in Brazil). The second model in the range, the LXL, features the same engine from the LX, but has extra equipment. The top model is the EX, which has essentially the same equipment from the LXL, but comes with the 1.5 VTEC engine. All models are available with the 5-speed manual or the regular CVT automatic. There are neither side airbags nor side curtains available for the Brazilian version. Also, the position of the radio antenna is different (starts near the front window end). Honda started selling the 2007 model in February 2006 with new bumpers and some cosmetic changes. The reference price is R$52,910 (around US$25,200) for Fit 1.5 EX MT on April 2006.
Alcohol (Ethanol) and gasoline hybrid Fit: Honda Brazil will start the sales in mid December/2006 only for 1.3 i-DSI. 80HP @ 100% gasoline and 83HP @ 100% alcohol. It works with any intermediary mix rate. There is an additional gasoline fuel tank at the right side under triangle window for "low temperature starts". A little amount of gasoline is required to start the engine when the temperature is low and main tank has only alcohol inside.
[edit] Australia
The Jazz/Fit offering in Australia follows, to a degree, the Japanese versions (excluding the 4WD models), and was released in Australia in October 2002.
Currently starting at a retail price of $A15,390, the base model GLi is powered by a 1.34 liter i-DSI engine, and includes air-conditioning, a CD player, two front airbags, ABS brakes, EBD, a trip computer, remote central locking, a transponder coded immobilizer, LED tail lamps, power steering, windows and mirrors. Standard is a 5-speed manual gearbox, with the CVT auto being a $2,000 optional extra.
At $A18,170 the VTi adds the 1.5 liter VTEC engine, "sports" trim, and side mirror-mounted turning indicators. Optional is the 7-speed version of the CVT auto with Formula 1 inspired gear shift paddles on the steering wheel; the VTi-S has a "sports" body kit, fog lamps, and 15 inch alloy wheels.
A "dot" on the "J" in Jazz indicates whether it is powered by a VTEC or non-VTEC engine. The VTEC version has a blue dot and red dot for the i-DSI version. The body kit for the VTi-S has changed since its introduction in 2003. The picture to the right illustrates the differences. The white Jazz VTi-S in the middle is a December 2003 model, while the left silver Jazz is a 2004 VTi with optional bodykit, the right silver Jazz is a 2004 model VTi-S.
Since its introduction to Australia, the Jazz has been imported from Japan. However in early 2006, Honda Australia began importing the Jazz from Thailand. The cheaper production costs allowed Honda to make significant price cuts across the Jazz range, although the color range has been reduced to six (compared to 12 in Japan).
[edit] In scale
Tamiya offers a model kit of the Fit in 1/24 scale, in two versions; one is a regular display model and the other a motorized version with a small electric motor and steerable front wheels, with parts to build a right- or left-hand drive version. Ebbro offers a 1/43 scale diecast model in regular and Mugen versions, as well as a Fit Aria.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Official US Site
- Official Mexican Site
- Official Japanese site
- Official Australian site
- Official Canadian site
- Official Argentinian site
- Honda Fit Community Site and Forums
- Car-Catalog.com entry
- Honda Jazz/Fit 2002-2007 Service Manual
- 2007 Honda Fit Review
