As I understand it...

The first 12,000 of the 2015's are going to get a 'free' new stronger front bumper to improve small overlap crash performance. I read:

"The last-generation version of the Fit, tested in January before the redesigned 2015 version was available, earned the worst possible rating of "Poor" in the "small overlap" crash test. Those cars will not eligible to the get the improved bumper beam."

Ok, not eligible for the 'free' one. But.... having the immediately prior available version, a 2013, I would like to know (so.. real information not just endless speculation) if it is possible. Pop off the front plastic bumper cover, bolt on a new stronger, better welded, front bumper beam and have a safer car sounds good to me. And potentially doable and worthwhile if we don't get gouged for it. Would the same ones that Honda will supply for the early 2015's work in the prior generation? Or would an after market supplier have to step up?

My hope is that the new bumper for the older of the newest fits will fit the older fits to make them too like the newest of the new fits, i.e. I hope they fit our fits too.

 

Honda won't do it. Whether the part fits (doubtful) is up to you. Checking the parts callout might tell you if the design is at all compatible.

The overlap crash performance is a function of the entire vehicle's design, not just the bumper bar. I doubt changing it would have any impact on crash performance in our cars (might make it worse).

 

Nah that won't do anything. Like Steve said it's a function of chassis and crumple zones. The beam on the bumper is just for 5 mph fender benders and doesn't do all that much for those kind of big impacts.

Just install a NASCAR spec cage in the car

 

Maybe so, but the Fit had pretty good ratings in the other tests already, and they wouldn't have changed the bumper and decided to go back and 12,000 of them if it did not make some real difference...

 

I'm not an automotive engineer (but I did work for Holiday Inn Express once).

Watching the videos of the small overlap test, it's more a function of the structure behind the bumper and how it absorbs the energy and deflects it from the passenger cabin. In 2013 (and earlier) Fits the front wheel and chassis structure enters the passenger space making lower body injuries more likely. The steering column angle dramatically shifts resulting in inadequate airbag protection. In the models that passed this test, the cabin structure deflected the impact without cabin intrusion and the column stayed straight.

That's not to say GE's and earlier aren't safe: they are safer than many medium and full sized cars of the same era. It's just a 6 year old design.

A change to the 2015 bumper bar could help this (for 2015 models). Applying this change to an older Fit without the ancillary modifications to chassis and passenger cabin might mean more heavy sharp metal in your lap.

A far more cost effective action would be to drive carefully.

 

Yes, drive safely and never need protective packaging if at all possible. Are there substantial "ancillary modifications to the 2015 chassis and passenger cabin"? In my Fit, in the area covered by the small overlap test, it seems there is very little that is behind the bumper in the way of structure that would absorb and deflect energy. I think that would make the strength of the bumper pretty important in transferring some of that impact energy to the other side of the vehicle. I really doubt anyone is going to do the expensive testing to really find out if a bumper change for a 2013 GE would make it any better (or worse). I enjoy and appreciate the discussion, what you say makes sense and the information is interesting. Thanks.