I noticed that the JDM GK5 FIT RS 6MT weighs 1050kg(2315lbs) but my LX 6MT weighs 2522lbs
How is the JDM model achieving this 200+lbs weight saving?
I know that US cars need to have reinforcements for crash safety, but 200lbs seems a bit extreme...
That's a significant gain in performance imo.
Did anyone actually weigh their GK5?
Any info would help.
Thanks

 

To my understanding, those same US required reinforcements/crash safety/etc are also why the US is not getting the 4th gen Fit. Not enough sales here to justify the additional engineering costs to get the 4th gen US road certified.

 

So I guess Honda was able to cram 200+lbs of steel underneath the body. Would have had better performance and gas mileage if it wasn't for regulations
Funny thing is that the Fit RS has performance reinforcements here and there that the USDM one doesn't...

 

Sacrificing safety to get from 0-60 in eight seconds instead of 8.5.

very smart. this is why regulations exist.

 

Now, if Texans stop buying F150s to putt around town, then Honda wouldn't have to reinforce the Fit so much. I think it would help save the world too.

The spec for my 2017 LX CVT is 2,544 lbs. I have removed both back seats since I don't anticipate carrying more than 1 other person, thus saving 65.3 lbs. I was thinking of removing the spare and the tool kit to save an additional 30.6 lbs. The removed undercover probably save a pound or so, even more if rain soaked up the spongy material..

 

I weighed my 2020 Honda Fit LX 6MT at the landfill, with 1/4 tank of fuel and my 150lbs and about 15 extra pounds of cargo and used oil, it read 2640 lbs. 2640 - 150 lbs occupant weight - 15 lbs cargo weight + 45 lbs for fuel = 2520. So the weight of my Fit was 2520 lbs +/- 20 lbs for scale accuracy.

I also noticed the JDM Fits have tighter turning circles, only 31-34 feet instead of the US spec 35.1 feet. That's another sharp difference that I can't explain.

 

Thanks for the info
I can just imagine the original engineer's face when it was announced that over 200lbs of balllast had to be added for the US market.

No wonder one of the Japanese vids did mention that the US version didn't "feel right" even though it shares the same engine.

The turning radius is another interesting difference. Wonder why that had to be changed.

 

Also i think the JDM's don't have bumper bars.... So take off a coupl more pounds.... 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

JDM does have one, though smaller:


USDM:

JDM rear:

USDM rear:


Hard to think these pieces add up to 200lbs, must have other ones probably in the doors.

 

Not true at all. The Fit has the same size wheel base US to Japan. Suspension is also the exact same.

 

Japanese cars have less crash protection. They also don't use the large 5mph impact bumpers front and rear like the North American cars are required to have. There is your 200 lbs.