[Dojo]

Honda has released the specifications for the 2007 Honda Fit at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Already one of Honda's hottest selling cars around the world, the Fit comes to North America with unique powertrain, feature, and safety content to meet the needs of buyers in this market. As the Civic has gradually moved up market, it has left room in our lineup for a new entry-level model. While the North American Fit is not as fuel efficient as versions sold in Asia and Europe, the new Honda Fit delivers a lot more than just typical small car value and fuel efficiency.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment

Compared to other entries in the subcompact segment, the Fit arrives in the US at the top of the class in terms of standard safety, refinement and interior flexibility. The Fit will have 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).

Unprecedented Seating and Cargo Flexibility

Like Honda Fit and Jazz cars sold in other countries the North American Fit 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). Because Honda located the fuel tank in a central location towards the middle of the vehicle, the cargo floor in the rear of Fit is relatively low, increasing the interior volume.

The Engine, Drivetrain and Suspension

The North American Fit will use the same 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine that generates 109 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 105 foot-pounds of torque @ 4800 rpm used in Asia. The compact and efficient powerplant features Honda's Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC(TM)). Unlike the 1.5 liter VTEC used in Asia, the North American version is 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 Fit features a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first in segment, 5-speed automatic transmission. A Fit Sport model offers wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with automatic transmission) and a 160-watt, six-speaker audio system. 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 better fuel economy. The wheel size measures 14-inches with P175/65R14 tires for the base model and P195/55R15 alloy wheels and tires for the Sport model. The Sport package includes underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry and cruise control, 16-inch wheels with P205/45R16 will be available as a dealer-installed option.

With the increased safety equipment and options used on North American cars, estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 33 city and 38 highway miles per gallon are lower than the 34 city/ 48 highway mpg achieved by 1.5L Fit models sold overseas. 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.

Standard Features, Audio Options and Segment Exclusive 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 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.

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 fully interact with the audio system. A segment exclusive, Music Link will control all the iPod's features via the audio head unit with album/song information shown on the vehicle's audio unit LCD display. It will also 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.

The Fit will go on sale in April as a 2007 model, with Honda projecting sales of approximately 33,000 this year and 50,000 on an annual basis. Prices will be announced closer to the launch date but we expect the base model will start between 13 and 14 thousand dollars.