2008 Honda Fit

Subcompact 2008 Honda Fit Proves that Small is the New Big

As the newest addition to the Honda lineup, the Fit subcompact five-door hatchback epitomizes the Honda legacy of quality, innovative packaging and a fun-to-drive character.
'Small is big,' said Dick Colliver, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 'The Honda Fit has proven that small cars can have big popularity, a big interior and a big fun factor without the traditional small car compromises.'
The Fit offers 90.1 cubic feet of interior volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations. The powertrain consists of a 109 horsepower, 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder VTEC™ engine and a 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The Fit Sport adds plus-size alloy wheels; a 200-Watt, six-speaker audio system; wheel-mounted paddle shifters (when equipped with the available automatic transmission) and a full body aero kit complete with a rear roofline spoiler.
The Fit has earned a top five-star crash safety rating1 for frontal crash performance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For 2008, the Fit has a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This system adds to the Fit's slew of standard safety features including dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side-curtain airbags and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). All seating positions have three-point seat belts, and the front seats have automatic tensioning seat belts. Two Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) are provided in the outboard rear seating positions.
Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides a surprisingly large passenger and cargo space that optimizes comfort and utility. At its functional foundation is the Fit's Magic Seat®, an innovative 60/40 split rear seat that allows the seat backs to fold down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing five distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations (refresh mode, tall object mode, long object mode, utility mode and the standard five passenger mode). With all seats in the upright position, passenger volume measures 90.1 cubic feet 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 near the middle of the vehicle. The fuel tank location allows the cargo floor in the rear of Fit to be relatively low, thus increasing the interior volume.
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™). The VTEC system's ability to provide highly efficient operation at low engine speeds and increased 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. City/highway EPA fuel economy ratings2 of 28/34 miles per gallon (manual transmission) are among the highest ratings in the subcompact 5-door hatchback class. Emissions levels are rated as LEV-2 by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Tier 2, Bin 5 by the federal government (EPA).
The suspension setup is a combination of a front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam with a trailing arm. The compact front and rear suspensions were both designed to allow for a large passenger cabin with a low floor. The 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.
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 14-inch wheels with P175/65R14 tires. The Fit Sport includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter controls (when equipped with the with the available automatic transmission), an underbody aero kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires. Inside, the Fit Sport provides a premium 200-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.
Accessory 16-inch wheels with P205/45R16 tires are available as a dealer-installed option on Fit and Fit Sport. For 2008, two new exterior colors complement the Fit's palette: Tidewater Blue Metallic and Blackberry Pearl.

Source - Honda

Honda Reveals Customized Concepts for Civic, Fit and CR-V at 2006 SEMA Show

More than 15 Honda project and concept vehicles made worldwide debuts at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) show in Las Vegas, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.
Honda revealed a prototype Civic MÚGEN Si Sedan equipped with a high performance suspension, aerodynamic body styling and a sport exhaust system. In addition to the MÚGEN vehicle, Honda Factory Performance (HFP) showed its new lineup of dealer-installed accessories for the new-for-2007 Honda Civic Si Sedan.
'The Honda Civic MÚGEN Si Sedan elevates the already-impressive Civic Si Sedan into new performance territory,' said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. 'Performance and racing are part of Honda's heritage and the Civic MÚGEN Si Sedan along with the rest our vehicles at SEMA demonstrate that passion.'
In addition, Honda-customized concept vehicles included the Honda Fit Sport Extreme Concept and Sport Concept CR-V with custom versions of accessory body kits, interior accessories and wheels. A Honda Element-D drift racecar also debuted with a radical powertrain consisting of a 500-horsepower V6 and rear-wheel-drive. Project vehicles built by aftermarket accessory companies on display included numerous Fits, Civics, an S2000 and a customized off-road racing Ridgeline.Honda's announcements at SEMA coincide with the on-sale date of the new-for-2007 Civic Si Sedan. The Civic Si Sedan embraces the style and performance of the Civic Si Coupe and marks the first time that 'Si' performance has become available in a sedan body style. Similar to the existing Civic Si Coupe, the Civic Si Sedan serves as another performance halo for the Civic line-up with a 197-horsepower, 16-valve, DOHC 2.0 liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine with an 8,000 rpm redline - all mated to a close-ratio, 6-speed manual transmission and a helical-type, limited slip differential.
Honda Civic MÚGEN Si Sedan
The name MÚGEN symbolizes Honda performance throughout Asia and around the globe. MÚGEN, under license by M-TEC Co., Ltd., of Japan, has been closely associated with Honda for decades in the design and manufacture of racing and premium performance components. The Civic MÚGEN Si Sedan draws inspiration from a 'Formula Sport' concept, adding an aggressive dimension of performance to the Civic Si Sedan with a track-tuned suspension, aerodynamic body styling and a performance exhaust system. The track tuned suspension, tested at the Twin Ring Motegi racing circuit in Japan, lowers the vehicle by 0.6 inches (15mm) with highly aggressive spring and damper tuning for enhanced handling performance. The full-vehicle aero-package adds a front spoiler and sports grille, side spoilers, a rear diffuser and a rear wing. The lightweight MÚGEN forged alloy wheels measure 18x7.5 inches and are shod with high grip 215/40R18 summer tires. The sports exhaust system reduces back pressure from the catalytic converter back resulting in an enhanced power curve. Additional accoutrements include front and rear MÚGEN emblems along with a serial number placard on the instrument panel. A spherical 50 mm MÚGEN aluminum shift knob replaces the standard aluminum and perforated leather shift knob. Planned for production in a limited quantity of 500 units a year, the Civic MÚGEN Si will be available at Ú.S. Honda dealers starting in spring 2007 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $30,000 and includes a full factory warranty.





Graphite black wheels (17 inch) incorporate Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires (215/45R-17). Interior modifications focus on the creation of a high-tech, performance-oriented driving environment with carbon fiber accents that match the exterior styling. The interior features custom Recaro sport seats with Civic Si-style synthetic suede. A dashboard-mounted prototype portable navigation system accessory is also shown.
Sport Concept CR-V
Following the theme of 'urban sport,' the Sport Concept CR-V is designed to increase the athletic feel of the already sophisticated CR-V. Highlights include aerodynamically styled front and rear bumpers along with a sports suspension package that lowers the Sport Concept CR-V for a customized presence. Custom 19-inch wheels are shod with Bridgestone Potenza tires (245/45R19). Interior modifications focus on the creation of a high-tech, performance-oriented driving environment with the addition of Civic Si synthetic suede fabric on the seating surfaces. Carbon fiber trim panels further accent the interior. Outside, the Sport Concept CR-V is painted in Agile Blue.
Honda Element-D
The Honda Element-D ('D' for drifting) racecar shows what can happen when enthusiastic Honda associates raid the company parts bin. Built for the racing sport of drifting, the Honda Element-D racecar replaces the stock 4-cylinder/Real Time™ 4WD drivetrain with a custom-designed and longitudinally-mounted 3.2-liter Honda V6 and rear-wheel-drive. Producing 500-horsepower, the lightweight twin-turbocharged powerhouse is guaranteed to light up the rear tires and accelerate sideways at full opposite lock. Associates from Honda R&D Americas, Inc., in Ohio plan to campaign the Element-D in the 2007 Formula Drift Series.

Source - Honda