Honda FIT and Ready To Go - VIDEO ENHANCED STORY

The 2007 Honda Fit is designed to take the subcompact market into new territory.

To watch video of the FIT on the road CLICK HERE.
To watch video of the FIT's interior CLICK HERE.
To watch video of the FIT on the "cat walk" CLICK HERE.

Los Angeles - April 3, 2006: With its highly refined and ultra-adaptable functionality, sporty driving demeanor and high levels of standard safety equipment. Built on Honda’s legendary foundation for dependability, quality and reliability, the Fit is a premium entry vehicle that emphasizes style, technology and value.

Already an established and hugely popular vehicle in Japan and Europe (sold as the Honda Jazz), the latest version of the Fit debuting in the U.S. has a 1.5-liter VTEC™ engine, six standard airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and a unique multi-configuration 60/40 split Magic Seat® as standard features, while a 5-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters is available. All of the Fit’s features and equipment are designed to give drivers the ability to maximize driving fun, utility and safety.

2007 Honda Fit Highlights

* 5-door, subcompact hatchback
* 1.5-liter VTEC 4-cylinder engine o 109 horsepower @ 5800 rpm
* 105 lb-ft. torque @ 4800 rpm
* Standard 5-speed manual transmission and available 5-speed automatic transmission o Drive-by-Wire throttle control
* Estimated EPA fuel economy of 33 mpg city / 38 mpg highway (manual transmission) o Standard dual front, front side and side curtain airbags
* Standard anti-lock braking system (ABS)
* Power windows, mirrors and door locks
* AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers (six speakers on Fit Sport)
* Available Fit Sport with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and more

With a vast array of standard features, the Fit is a premium entry car – providing a versatile, multi-configurable small car that optimizes power, cargo room, handling and safety. The Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter VTEC gasoline engine generating 109 horsepower and 105 lb-ft. of torque. The engine is mated to a standard 5-speed manual transmission or the segment’s only 5-speed automatic transmission. The estimated 33 mpg city / 38 highway mileage (manual transmission) is among the best fuel economy ratings for conventional gasoline engines in 2006.

The Fit Sport adds steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter controls on models with the automatic transmission, while its underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels offer a sporty, aerodynamic look. Additional Fit Sport features include a security system with remote entry, premium 200-watt AM/FM/CD audio system and cruise control.

Exterior Overview

The Fit’s exterior offers a sporty and aerodynamic shape along with a safety-oriented design and structure. Fit Sport models (shown at right) add an underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels to enhance aerodynamics and provide a premium, sporty look.

The use of high-tensile strength steel on 36% of Fit’s unibody allows the frame to be relatively lightweight while still providing a high level of structural rigidity for performance and safety. Engineers have designed Fit to achieve a 5-star NHTSA frontal crash test rating and expect “Good” ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in both the offset frontal and side impact tests.

Engine

Fit’s 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine generates109 hp @ 5800 rpm and 105 lb-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm. The compact and efficient powerplant is designed to be a performance leader among Fit’s direct competitive set with innovative technology that includes Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC), Drive-by-Wire throttle control and a low-friction engine design.

Fuel economy, power and low emissions are further aided by the VTEC system’s ability to provide the optimal amount of air into the cylinder during both low rpm operation and high rpm operation. The end result is an engine with high efficiency and low emissions that runs smoothly with excellent throttle response in ordinary driving, and can also increase performance in demanding situations. Refinement is further enhanced with Drive-by-Wire throttle control, which provides quick throttle response and precise fuel delivery to the engine.

Transmissions

The Fit is available with two transmissions – a standard 5-speed manual and an available 5-speed automatic transmission (equipped with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on Sport models). Both are designed to optimize the power transfer from Fit’s high-revving engine to the front wheels.

The manual transmission, connected to a large, sporty shift knob, benefits from a short shift stroke and carbon cone synchronizers that minimize shift load and add to the refined feel of the car. Gear ratios provide quick acceleration in lower gears while still delivering high fuel economy in higher gears.

An available 5-speed automatic transmission uses a direct control system and interaction with Fit’s Drive-by-Wire throttle to help the transmission make shifts quickly and smoothly in all gears. And, an improved lockup clutch that allows engagement at low vehicle speeds in all gears helps the automatic transmission-equipped models achieve similar fuel economy as its generally more-efficient 5-speed manual transmission counterpart.

Chassis Overview

A front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension provides an ideal combination for the Fit to achieve both space utility and driving performance.

The compact front MacPherson strut suspension and rear torsion beam were both designed to allow for a large passenger cabin with a low floor to maximize the cargo carrying capacity. The front MacPherson strut suspension is similar to that used on the redesigned 2006 Civic that results in excellent straight-line tracking and stability with high levels of performance. This is made possible through an increased caster angle and higher trail amount.

In an effort to reduce weight and maximize the size of the passenger cabin, Honda designed an H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension. Its compact design allows the cabin floor to be lower in the rear for more cargo space, while assuring class-leading straight-line stability, handling performance and ride comfort.

To maintain nimble handling and immediate steering feedback, Fit employs a high-power Electric Power Steering (EPS) system instead of a traditional hydraulic system. A more lightweight and compact steering system, EPS provides a quick steering ratio for responsive steering. It also contributes to higher fuel economy since engine power is not needed to pump a hydraulic system and it yields excellent response in terms of control and handling. Similar to the steering system used on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and Civic Si, the EPS system in Fit also minimizes the steering shock of harsh, bumpy roads.

The Fit also employs a sophisticated standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the rear. The standard 4-channel ABS also has electronic brake distribution (EBD). Combined with standard 14-inch tires (15-inch on Fit Sport), Fit’s braking system is comparable to larger, more expensive cars and is expected to provide top-of-class stopping power.

Interior Overview

The interior provides a very unique and large cargo space for maximum utility. At the foundation is an innovative 60/40 split Magic Seat® that allows the seatbacks to dive down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing a multitude of seating and cargo carrying configurations. With all seats in the upright position, passenger volume measures 90.1 cubic feet (slightly less than an Accord’s volume) with 21.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row (slightly less than an Element’s volume behind the second row).

Beyond the traditional upright seating position, the rear seatback in the Fit can completely dive forward without removing the headrests to create a virtually flat cargo floor (utility mode). Or, the seat bottoms can flip up in order to carry taller items in the middle of Fit’s interior (tall mode). Also, the Fit’s front seats can recline flush with the rear seats to create a long, flat surface perfect for relaxing when the vehicle is parked (refresh mode). Additionally, the front passenger seat can recline down to the floor while in utility mode to create an area perfect for long items up to 7 feet, 10 inches (long mode).

Fit comes with amenities such as standard air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with 4 speakers, power windows, mirrors and door locks, and a sporty two-tone interior. Sport models add a security system with keyless entry, cruise control, a 200-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with 6 speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, 5-mode equalizer and an auxiliary audio jack to connect to any portable music player.

Fit will also offer the Honda Apple® iPod® Music Link® as a dealer-installed Genuine Honda Accessory. The iPod Music Link allows the user’s iPod (sold separately) to interact with the audio system, plus charge its battery.

Safety Overview

Already a leader in vehicle safety as demonstrated by Honda’s “Safety for Everyone” initiative, Honda continues to implement leading airbag technology in all vehicles regardless of size or price. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. In addition, Fit incorporates 3-point seat belts at all seating positions.

Fit incorporates two Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) positions in the rear seat. This standard safety feature allows compatible child seats to simply attach to the frame of Fit via specially designed lower anchors between the seat bottom and seatback and upper tether points attached to the rear seatback.

In addition to the advanced passive safety technology of the Fit, it also utilizes active systems that include an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution (EBD).

The Fit offers a level of standard safety technology unique to this class of vehicle and is expected to receive a 5-star frontal crash safety rating from the government’s National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and “Good” ratings in offset frontal and side impact tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Accessories Overview

Dealer-installed accessories are designed to enhance and personalize the appearance of the interior and exterior of the Fit.

Honda Fit Accessories - Interior

o Interior trim accents (Silver, Red and Blue)
o Steering wheel covers
o Shift knobs
o Interior ambient lighting

Audio

o Honda Apple iPod Music Link Exterior
o 16-inch alloy wheels from Honda Factory Performance (HFP)
o HFP sport muffler o HFP chrome exhaust tip finisher
o HFP sport mesh grill o Rear bumper accents

Additional information Worldwide Fit Acclaim

The Fit originally debuted in Japan in June 2001, and immediately won acclaim from the country’s automotive industry and general population. In its first full year on the market, Fit became the first Honda vehicle to top the Japanese annual sales charts, selling 250,790 units in its first year. Now, Fit is sold in over 70 countries and has earned numerous awards worldwide, including “Car of the Year” awards in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Covering the Market

With the introduction of the Fit, Honda has at least one entry in virtually every non-luxury segment of the automotive market place, including three gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, three SUVs and one pickup. In total, the Honda brand is made of 12 distinct vehicles ranging from the subcompact Fit to the half-ton Ridgeline pickup. In 2005, Honda sales reached approximately 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. Since the first N600 was sold in 1970, Honda has sold more than 21 million vehicles in the U.S., and it now ranks as the fifth most popular automotive brand in the U.S.