In Asia, and Europe, the Fit comes in versions with a 1.3 liter engine. Here is the quote and the source article I read:


I did a conversion of 24 km per liter on this website:

Online Conversion - Fuel Consumption Conversion

According to that conversion, this 1.3 Fit gets 56 miles per gallon!!!?!?!?

Now, I do not have any knowledge or experience with foreign cars (made for foreign markets, I mean...). I realize that there may be different standards in the US that may not allow this engine to be released here (anyone know about this??). Also, the number of 24 km/liter is based on a Japanese fuel consumption test and may skew higher numbers than our US test....

But holy crap!! Anyone else know about this? Anyone have a link to another article that confirms the fuel consumption of the 1.3 Fit? I want one! (A note--I believe this is the Fit that will be released here in the US as the 2009 Fit--the second generation model, and will only be available here with the 1.5 liter engine)

 

You are right in saying that the numbers are based on the Japanese Test Cycle. The EPA hwy cycle tests at higher speeds. Here is a link to graphs of the different testing cycles:

Dynamometer Drive Schedule Quick View | Testing and Measuring Emissions | US EPA

US city average is listed under "UDDS".
US highway average is listed under "HWFET".
Japanese cycle is listed under "10.15-Mode".

The 1.3L Fit also comes with a CVT, which probably helps its fuel efficiency numbers. The article also says the 1.5L Fit gets 19.6km per Liter or 46.1 mpg, which is about 17% less than the 1.3L. (That 1.3L looks awfully attractive right now.)

Currently, I think all we can do is speculate what the EPA numbers for 2009 Fit will be. I think it will gain 1 or 2 mpg over the current Fit.

 

So, given that the Japanese numbers for the 1.3 are 17% better than the 1.5 (in terms of fuel efficiency..) that would mean our sticker gas mileage estimates would read somewhere around 40 or 41 MPG highway???

Why the hell can't we have the 1.3 option in the states???

 

Because so many people want to drive 80 - 85 mph on the highway.

 

Yeah, I agree. I suspect that Honda thinks the 1.3L would not sell as many units, and it would be too costly to have both engines as a choice. Maybe the current and future high gasoline prices may change thier tactics. If I were Honda, I would absolutly love to market a 41mpg Fit. I would've bought one if it were available.

It may not get there very quickly, but the 1.3L should be able to go 85mph.

 

There's no doubt it would do 85mph, but it probably wouldn't be as efficient at that speed as the 1.5L.

 

give me a 6spd trans and I will be happy.

 

I would love a six speed transmission. If I can use 5th gear for almost any situation over 40mph there is no reason the Fit shouldn't have a 6th gear and be turning 2000rpm at 55mph.