I have heard that Honda is working on the next generation Fit. Being that the one coming to the US in April is already an old design. Has anyone heard anything on this matter?

 

2008 model in Japan at the earliest (probably later) and then after the JDM the rest of the world follows. With the number of production facilites around the world (China, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, maybe US if a hit) they aren't all going to completely retool at a moments notice.

 

A guy that I run into once in awhile at a Torrance coffee shop mentioned to me during small talk that the Fit after this model year..Will include rear disk brakes, sunroof and new interior exterior/interior combo colors..This guy is about as reputable as it gets being that he's been with Honda for 20+ years, I trust these predictions

 

What most people guess is that Honda will do a full-model change probably in the 2007 calendar year. Given that the US/Canadian market Fits come directly from Japan, we'll get the change at the same time, with early production coming from Japan and then switch to production from Alliston, ON or East Liberty, OH.

If I had to take an educated guess on what the new Fit will be like, the car will probably have these features:

1. New, more aerodynamic body that will be almost the same size as the current car--it will still be a "tall wagon" design. The car will be designed specifically to meet all current international standards for frontal, offset frontal, side impact, rollover and pedestrian impact crash testing.

2. All-new SOHC i-VTEC engines based on the R-series engine block used on the 2006 Civic, but in 1.5-1.6 liter displacement size. This would put the engine in the 115-120 bhp (SAE 08/04 net) range. We might see an i-DSI version of this engine for the European and JDM markets probably in the 90 bhp (SAE 08/04 net) range.

3. The interior will have the same flexibility as the current Fit/Jazz.

4. Instrument panel will be somewhat similar to current Fit/Jazz, but will add temperature gauge.

5. Transmission choice will be six-speed manual and possibly six-speed automatic using the Antonov AAD design.

6. Suspension will be similar to current Fit/Jazz (struts front, torsion beam rear) but will be much-update for better handling and ride quality.

7. Fuel tank placement will be similar to current Fit/Jazz models (under the front seats) for maximum interior space.

8. Because new Fit will be similar in size to current model the current tire options (175/65R14 and 185/55R15) will remain.

 

Another Urban internet legand that's out of control - Antonov in full scale production is like cars running on water right now - good topic of conversation / specualtion but show me actual production plans before I'll ever buy in.

 

If the Fit does well with the old design here they will most likely make a US Version during the FMC in a couple years, and make it in the US. Kinda like how they made seperate models for USDM, JDM, and EDM of the Civic.

Kevin

 

I disagree with your speculation on the 6 speed..Seems absurd to pair a 6 speed with a 1.6 liter..It's not going to happen. Power output does not justify an extra gear.

 

The number of gears in a transmission don't relate to, or are based on total power output. Rather it is the power characteristics. The narrower the power band, the more gears required to enable the driver keep the engine operating at or close to peak power. F1 cars with their 18,000+rpm peaky engines have at least 7 speeds. NECKCAR V-8's with a much wider torque curve only have four or five (although that might be more related to the inability of those drivers to count much higher).

 

I would agree with you except Honda does have a non-exclusive license agreement signed in 2002 to use the Antonov AAD on future models. Given the very light weight of the six-speed AAD automatic (remember, no heavy torque converter to deal with!), such a transmission would be perfect for application on the next-generation Honda Fit.

 

what other cars are using the Antonov trans? Very interesting stuff!

 

2007 is soo close. you guys dont think they will wait at least 2-3 years for us?

 

2007 is close but what are you trying to say?

 

You think honda would release the current Fit, then come out with re-vised edition one year later?

 

You have to remember that the Fits sold in the USA and Canada come directly from Japan. As such, when the Fit undergoes its full-model change (FMC) it will directly affect the US/Canadian market for the car, since the FMC will likely start first in Japan.

 

2006 FIT ;