The 2009 Honda Fit is set to shake the subcompact segment with its respectable top-of-class features, and Americans can finally drive it when the car goes on sale this fall.
The exterior is quite deceiving in respect of the interior space. Honda has promised that this entry-level car will not compromise with functionality and refinements, which is indeed evident. For that, the interior is generously spacious and rich in technology. Adding to the basic is the Magic Seat feature, which provides for multiple adjustment functions of the rear seats for improved spaciousness and seating positions.
The ‘Fit Sport’ option comes with even further refinements. The dashboard packs some new features including the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with 6.5” screen and the dynamic USB audio interface that is compatible with iPod and various other USB storage devices.
The car comes with a new 1.5 litre 4-cylinder engine mated to a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic gearbox. The ‘Fit Sport’ option will additionally include steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Even with all the sportiness, Honda still gives safety the priority. The Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) technology that packs an innovative body structure comes with various standard safety features such as Vehicle Stability Assist and technologically advanced airbags.
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."
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.
BabyMilo
March 20, 2008 6:51:54 AM
no i dont like it... it looks like they have enlarged everything from the old jazz (fit) but they forgot to enlagre the car itself!
This is nice. The Fit/Jazz was not meant to be larger than how it originally started. It was designed to be a city car. I made a few observations. It's interesting to note that the 2nd generation North American version is slightly longer than the Japanese version and for the rest of the world. It's obviously not the wheelbase that's longer but a more substantial rear bumper added and also a longer nose with a different front bumper. This must be to meet NA safety codes. The cutesy factor is a bit diminished! If one looks closely, the headlight cluster and grill slats are also slightly different to the Jap version and the NA market gets foglights for its sports model. Sadly, the side mirror light markers are absent and the dash has less electronic features than the Japanese one.
SATETY (WHAT ABOUT 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES STANDARD )JAGS HAD THEM IN THE 50s NOT ELCHEAPO REAR DRUMS I WANT ONE BUT NOT WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES SAFTEY HA WHAT A PRICE OF 20 or 30 DOLLARS MORE IS TOO MUCH TO ASK
no i dont like it... it looks like they have enlarged everything from the old jazz (fit) but they forgot to enlagre the car itself!