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2007 Honda Fit
Looks Small on the Outside, Delivers Big on the Inside
The new subcompact 5-door hatchback will enter the U.S.
subcompact market with class-leading content and segment-defining standard
safety equipment.
The all-new 2007 Honda Fit, a subcompact 5-door hatchback set to go on-sale in
the U.S. in April, will make its U.S. debut at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Already
one of Honda's hottest selling models in Asia and Europe, the Fit is designed to
enter the U.S. market as leader in the subcompact segment with top-of-class
feature content, refinement, interior 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-level vehicle that emphasizes style,
technology and value. The Fit features a 109 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder
VTEC engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first in segment,
5-speed automatic transmission, and over 90 cubic feet of passenger volume with
multiple seating and cargo configurations. A Fit Sport model offers
wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with automatic transmission) and a 160-watt,
six-speaker audio system. Fit will be supported by a wide variety of Honda
Genuine Accessories, including Honda Apple(R) iPod(R) Music Link(R), allowing
owners to personalize their Fits inside and out.
"The 2007 Fit provides a new entry point into Honda for consumers considering an
attractive and efficient small car," said John Mendel, senior vice president of
American Honda. "The large interior adapts to people or cargo like no other car
in its class. It comes standard-equipped with advanced safety technology, and
follows in the tradition of Honda's fun-to-drive performance."
Unprecedented Subcompact Seating and Cargo Flexibility
Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides a surprisingly large
passenger and cargo space for both maximum comfort and utility. At the
foundation is the Fit's Magic Seat(TM), an innovative 60/40 split rear seat that
allows the seatbacks to fold down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing four
distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations (refresh mode, tall object
mode, long object mode and utility mode) in addition to the standard five
passenger mode. With all seats in the upright position, passenger volume
measures 90.1 cubic feet (slightly less than an Accord's passenger volume) with
21.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row (slightly less than an
Element's cargo volume behind the second row). In order to help maximize Fit's
useable interior space, Honda located the fuel tank in a central location
towards the middle of the vehicle. This allows the cargo floor in the rear of
Fit to be relatively low, thus increasing the interior volume.
Fun to Drive...Past the Pump
The 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine generates 109 horsepower @
5800 rpm and 105 foot-pounds of torque @ 4800 rpm. The compact and efficient
powerplant features Honda's innovative Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic
Control (VTEC(TM)).The VTEC system's ability to provide highly efficient
operation at low engine speeds and extended performance at high engine speeds
benefits fuel economy, power and low emissions.
Refinement is further enhanced with electronic Drive-by-Wire throttle control,
which provides quick throttle response, smooth automatic transmission shifts (on
automatic transmission models) and precise fuel delivery to the engine. Friction
reducing technologies include roller bearing tipped rocker arms, a low friction
timing chain tensioner, molydebenum coated piston skirts and an offset
crankshaft/connecting rod design.
The suspension set up for the Fit is a combination of a front MacPherson
strut/rear torsion beam with trailing arm.
The compact front 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.
Fit employs a compact, efficient and highly responsive Electric Power Steering
(EPS) system that also contributes to higher fuel economy since engine power is
not needed to operate a hydraulic system. The wheel size measures 14-inches with
P175/65R14 tires, and 16-inch wheels with P205/45R16 are available as a
dealer-installed option.
Estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 33/38 miles per gallon is
expected to be among the highest ratings in the subcompact 5-door hatchback
class. Emissions levels are rated as Low Emissions Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) by the
California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Tier 2 / Bin 5 by the Federal
government.
Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment
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. The Fit has the most standard safety
features in its class with no other subcompact offering as much standard
advanced safety technology. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front
side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models.
All seating positions have three-point seat belts, while front occupants are
further protected by pre-tensioning seat belts. An enhanced knee bolster
provides additional protection for passengers.
Standard active safety equipment includes anti-lock braking system (ABS) with
ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake
distribution (EBD).
Paddle Shifters, Audio Options Define High Content Sport Model
The Fit Sport model is the only subcompact to offer steering wheel-mounted
paddle shifter controls (with automatic transmission). The Sport package
includes underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with
keyless remote entry, cruise control, and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with
P195/55R15 tires.
The Fit Sport also features a premium 160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with six
speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, a five-mode equalizer, and an auxiliary
audio jack for input from a portable music player.
Standard Features and Accessories
Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio
system with four speakers, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and a
two-tone interior.
The 2007 Fit promises to be one of the most customizable vehicles from Honda
with approximately 30 accessories available at the dealer. Fit will offer the
Honda Apple(R) iPod(R) Music Link(R) as a dealer-installed accessory. The Honda
iPod Music Link allows the user's iPod (sold separately) to interact with the
audio system and charge the iPOD's battery.
Other interior accessories include an ambient lighting, trim panel accents
(silver, red and blue), steering wheel covers and shift knobs. Outside, the Fit
can be customized with Honda Factory Performance equipment including 16-inch
alloy wheels, Sport package underbody kit, sport exhaust, chrome exhaust tip
finisher, rear bumper accents and a sport mesh grille.
A consumer preview Web site for the Fit is available at fit.honda.com. Official
pricing for the 2007 Honda Fit has not yet been determined.
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