New 5-door hatchback will enter the Canadian subcompact market with
class-leading features, fuel efficiency and standard safety equipment
TORONTO, Jan. 8 /CNW/ - The new 2007 Honda Fit, a subcompact 5-door
hatchback set to go on sale in Canada the beginning of April, made its debut
today during a press preview at the North American International Auto Show in
Detroit. As one of Honda's hottest selling models in both Asia and Europe, the
Fit is designed to enter the North American market as leader in the subcompact
segment with class-leading feature content, refinement, interior
functionality, sporty driving character and high levels of standard safety
equipment. The Fit will make its Canadian debut at the Montreal International
Auto Show on January 19.
"We will be bringing the five-door Honda Fit hatchback to Canada this
spring because of the popularity here of hatchbacks and the desire for
excellent fuel efficiency," said Jim Miller, executive vice president of Honda
Canada Inc. "And we are confident that Canadians will embrace the Fit because
of its overall value, full complement of standard safety features, unique
convenience features and fun-to-drive performance. The Fit is ideally suited
to 'fit your life' and fit the things in your life because of its large
interior and flexible seating configurations."
Built on Honda's legendary foundation for dependability, quality and
reliability, the Fit emphasizes style, technology and value. It features a
109-horsepower, 1.5-litre engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an
available, first-in-segment 5-speed automatic transmission. Fit features a
generous interior with multiple seating and cargo configurations to carry a
wide assortment of various-sized cargo.
In Canada, Fit will be offered in three trim levels with a base DX model,
LX and Sport. The Fit Sport model features wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with
the automatic transmission option), and includes an underbody kit, rear
roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry,
cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and 15-inch alloy wheels with
P195/55R15 tires. The Fit Sport also offers a premium 160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio
system with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, five-mode equalizer and
an auxiliary audio jack for input from portable music players.
Inside of Fit is a surprisingly large passenger and cargo space for both
maximum comfort and utility. At the foundation is 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 the seats in the upright position, the Fit seats up to five
adults with a passenger volume of 2551 litres (90.1 cubic feet) and all their
stuff with 603 litres (21.3 cubic feet) of cargo capacity behind the second
row, which is comparable to larger vehicles. 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.
The 1.5-litre, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine generates
109 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 105 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm. The
compact and efficient powerplant features Honda's innovative Variable Valve
Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC(TM)) which provides highly efficient
operation at low engine speeds and extended performance at high engine speeds
to boost fuel economy and power while lowering emissions.
Refinement is further enhanced with electronic drive-by-wire throttle
control for quick throttle response, smooth automatic transmission shifts (on
automatic transmission models) and precise fuel delivery to the engine. In
addition, Fit employs a compact, efficient and highly responsive electric
power steering system that contributes to higher fuel economy since engine
power is not needed to operate a hydraulic 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.
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. Fit offers a full complement of
standard airbags on all trim levels, including dual-stage/dual-threshold front
airbags, dual front side airbags and side-curtain airbags. Standard active
safety equipment includes anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake
distribution (EBD) for enhanced braking performance.
Fit comes with standard amenities such as an AM/FM/CD audio system, power
windows and a two-tone interior. The 2007 Fit will be supported by a wide
range of Honda Genuine Accessories so that owners can personalize their cars
inside and out.
There will be a sporty accessory package available on all trim levels
that features a sport muffler, 16-inch wheels, a sport grille and a number of
other accessories. There are also coloured accent packages for the interior in
Blue, Red or Silver that include steering wheel covers, shift knobs, switch
panels and other interior items.
A consumer preview web site for the Fit will be available as of Monday,
January 9, at
www.honda.ca/fit. Pricing for the 2007 Honda Fit has not yet
been determined.
Honda is the world's preeminent maker of engines for automobiles,
motorcycles and power equipment. With 124 manufacturing facilities in 28
countries worldwide, Honda now attracts nearly 20 million customers annually.
Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Ridgeline, Civic and Pilot, and the
Acura CSX and MDX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario.
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/a.../08/c0558.html
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