Honda Fit

Honda Fit
Overview
Manufacturer	Honda Motor Company
Also called	Honda Jazz
Production	2001-present
Body and chassis
Class	North America: Subcompact Europe: Supermini
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Global Small Car

The Honda Fit is a five-door hatchback automobile produced by Honda of Japan, that was 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, Australia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Africa.

(This vehicle is referred to as the "Fit" throughout this article for consistency.)

First-generation

First-generation Fit
Overview
Also called	Honda Jazz
Production	2001-present
Assembly	Suzuka, Mie, Japan Sumaré, São Paulo, Brazil Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China Ayutthaya, Thailand Karawang, Indonesia.
Body and chassis
Class	North America: Subcompact Europe: Supermini
Body style	5-door hatchback
Platform	Global Small Car
Related	Honda Airwave Honda City
Powertrain
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
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2450 mm (96.5 in)
Length	3845 mm (157.4 in)
Width	1675 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1525 mm (60.0 in)
Curb weight	1084 kg for 1.4 L LS with manual transmission
Chronology
Predecessor	Honda Logo

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 and immediately became a big hit. It was then introduced to Europe (early 2002), Australia (late 2002), South America (early 2003), South Africa and 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.

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)

Drivetrain

Depending on the region, the Fit is equipped with either a 1.2, 1.3, or 1.4 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 gasoline to burn more completely; therefore, fuel consumption and emissions are reduced while maximum torque at mid-range rpm is maintained. The 1.5 L VTEC engine has the typical 16-valve configuration.

US-spec interior

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.

It was once rumored that a hybrid electric variant of the Fit/Jazz was being developed, however, since that time the CEO of Honda, Takeo Fukui, confirmed this was not true and that there were no plans to develop a hybrid powertrain.

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.

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.

Regions

The Fit is marketed in different ways and has different characteristics throughout the world, depending on which region it is sold in.

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.

Japanese sales of the Fit exceeded the original sales target of 8,000 units on debut. By December of 2001, it had outsold the Toyota Corolla, and it ranked first in sales for nine out of twelve months in 2002. The new generation Honda Fit will debut in the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007.

Units sold in past years (Japan Domestic Market Only):

Year	Hatchback	Aria	Total Rank in Japan
2001	104,298	n/a	6
2002	250,790	n/a	1
2003	182,285	14,623	2
2004	149,503	6,992	2
2005	125,894	5,450	3
2006	101,793	5,238	3
2007	12,517 (first 2 months)	n/a

Europe

2005 European Honda Jazz

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 with disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear ones. Side airbags are standard on some high end models. In the United Kingdom, the Honda Jazz has received a serious amount of very good press. Most notably, the UK's biggest automotive survey, performed by the motoring show Top Gear, revealed that the Honda Jazz was the 2nd best vehicle on UK roads, as voted by UK car owners in 2006. 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" or "fitte" is a rather crude slang term for female genitalia - resulting in a last-minute change.

China

The Fit (Hatchback) went on sale in China in September 22, 2004. The City (sedan) went on sale roughly a year early, in September 28, 2003. The trims are similar to that in Japan: with the combination of 1.3 i-DSL, 1.5 VTEC, 5-speed manual, and CVT, there are 4 models in total.

United States and Canada

2007 North American Honda Fit Base

2007 North American Honda Fit Sport

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 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 in the United States (Base and Sport), and three in Canada (DX, LX 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. In the United States, the base model is priced at US$13,850, with the automatic transmission adding $800 and the Sport package adding $1,320. In Canada, it starts at CAD$14,980 for a DX with manual transmission, and goes to $20,880 for a Sport with automatic transmission.

For 2006, 27,934 Fits were sold in the United States. 23,769 units were sold between January 2007 and June 2007. A total of 51,703 Fits have been sold in the U.S. since its introduction in April 2006 up to June 2007.

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.

The Fit was voted by "Quatro Rodas" magazine as Best Buy in 2005 and 2006, and as the car with happiest buyers in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Australia

File:100 0328.jpg

Two 1.3-liter models (outside) and three 1.5-liter vtec models (middle)

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 AU$15,990, 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 AU$2,000 optional extra.

At AU$18,170 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).

Malaysia

Fit/Jazz in Malaysia is available in two variants, the 1.5 i-DSI and 1.5 VTEC. Both of them are equipped with CVT-7 and having 2WD driving the front wheels. No Manual Transmission is offered. Unlike the Australian Market which had different trims for the Jazz e.g. (GLi (Base Model with 1.3 motor), VTi (1.5 VTEC motor without Bodykit) and VTi-S (Sports Model with Bodykit)), the Malaysian Jazzes were either the 1.3 iDSi or the 1.5 VTEC. Choices now are 1.5 iDSi and 1.5 VTEC. The VTEC model is equipped with Honda Modulo Bodykit.

Standard equipment on both models include Air-conditioning, Driver and front passenger air-bags, CD/Radio headunit, ABS Brakes, EBD, Trip computer, Central Locking, Power Assisted Windows, Power assisted Side Mirrors, Power Assisted Steering, Reflector Halogen Headlamps and Ultra/Magic Folding seats. Optional extras can be purchased from Honda Dealers/Service Centers all around Malaysia at retail price. A 3 year Warranty is standard for all Jazzes purchased from Authorized Honda Dealers in Malaysia.

Initially the Jazz was sold as a CBU model (fully imported from Japan). The variants included the 1.3 iDSi and the 1.5 VTEC model. Subsequently Malaysia received units that were built in Thailand. The main and most noticeable difference were rear disc brakes. Japan models incorporated rear drum brakes.

Early 2006 saw the facelift of the Jazz (which was introduced earlier in Japan). The facelifted version included new front fascia and bumpers, new rear bumper, new side skirts, side mirror mounted indicators/turn signals, rear LED brake light, rear LED third brake light, body colored housing headlamps and minor interior changes. The motor remains unchanged.

South Africa

Sold as the Jazz in South Africa, it is available with the 1.3 i-DSI (badged as a 1.4) or 1.5 VTEC engines both offered with either manual or CVT (automatic) transmission.

Thailand

Sold as the Jazz in Thailand. It is available in two variants, the 1.5 i-DSI and 1.5 VTEC. Both of them are FF layout with CVT-7 or 5 manual transmission offered.

Jazz's Engine available in Thailand

• L4 8 valves i-DSI : Max Power 65kw / 88hp @ 5,500rpm , Max Torque 131 N-m. @ 2,700rpm
• L4 16 valves VTEC : Max Power 81kw / 110hp @ 5,800rpm , Max Torque 143 N-m. @ 4,800rpm

Second-generation

Second-generation Fit
Overview
Also called	Jazz
Production	2008-TBD

On 17 July, 2007, Honda CEO, Takeo Fukui, announced during a press event that the next-generation Honda Fit/Jazz would make its debut in the fall of 2007 in Japan. The U.S. version is expected to follow soon after, but was not confirmed during the press event. The new Fit will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2007.

Sales

On 17 July, 2007, Honda announced that over 2 million Fit/Jazz units had been sold worldwide since its introduction. Japan accounts for the majority of sales, with 962,000 units sold in the home market. Europe is next with 417,000 units. The U.S. accounts for 77,000 cars since introduction in 2006.

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.

Awards

• Car and Driver's Best Small Car on its 2007 10Best list.
• 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

See also

• Honda Airwave
• Honda Fit Aria/City
• Honda L-series engine
• Daewoo Kalos
• Suzuki Swift
• Toyota Vitz

External links

• Official Honda Fit/Jazz sites for the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Argentina, Thailand, South Africa
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