Originally Posted by American Honda

2007 Honda Fit Looks Small on the Outside, Delivers Big on the Inside
Sun, 8 Jan 2006

Detroit 01/08/2006 -- The all-new 2007 Honda Fit, a subcompact 5-door hatchback set to go on-sale in the U.S. in April, will make its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. Already one of Honda's hottest selling models in Asia and Europe, the Fit is designed to enter the U.S. market as leader in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, refinement, interior functionality, sporty driving demeanor and high levels of standard safety equipment.

Built on Honda's legendary foundation for dependability, quality and reliability, the Fit is a premium entry-level vehicle that emphasizes style, technology and value. The Fit features a 109 horsepower 1.5-liter 4-cylinder VTEC engine, a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, first in segment, 5-speed automatic transmission, and over 90 cubic feet of passenger volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations. A Fit Sport model offers wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with automatic transmission) and a 160-watt, six-speaker audio system. Fit will be supported by a wide variety of Honda Genuine Accessories, including segment exclusive Honda Apple(R) iPod(R) Music Link(R), allowing owners to personalize their Fits inside and out.



"The 2007 Fit provides a new entry point into Honda for consumers considering an attractive and efficient small car," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "The large interior adapts to people or cargo like no other car in its class. It comes standard-equipped with advanced safety technology, and follows in the tradition of Honda's fun-to-drive performance."

Unprecedented Subcompact Seating and Cargo Flexibility

Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides a surprisingly large passenger and cargo space for both maximum comfort and utility. At the foundation is the 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 seats in the upright position, passenger volume measures 90.1 cubic feet (slightly less than an Accord's passenger volume) with 21.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the second row (slightly less than an Element's cargo volume behind the second row). 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.

Fun to Drive...Past the Pump

The 1.5-liter, SOHC, 16-valve, 4-cylinder VTEC engine generates 109 horsepower @ 5800 rpm and 105 foot-pounds of torque @ 4800 rpm. The compact and efficient powerplant features Honda's innovative Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC(TM)).The VTEC system's ability to provide highly efficient operation at low engine speeds and extended performance at high engine speeds benefits fuel economy, power and low emissions.

Refinement is further enhanced with electronic Drive-by-Wire throttle control, which provides quick throttle response, smooth automatic transmission shifts (on automatic transmission models) and precise fuel delivery to the engine. Friction reducing technologies include roller bearing tipped rocker arms, a low friction timing chain tensioner, molydebenum coated piston skirts and an offset crankshaft/connecting rod design.



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.

Fit employs a compact, efficient and highly responsive Electric Power Steering (EPS) system that also contributes to higher fuel economy since engine power is not needed to operate a hydraulic system. The wheel size measures 14-inches with P175/65R14 tires, and 16-inch wheels with P205/45R16 are available as a dealer-installed option.

Estimated city/highway fuel economy ratings of 33/38 miles per gallon is expected to be among the highest ratings in the subcompact 5-door hatchback class. Emissions levels are rated as Low Emissions Vehicle 2 (LEV-2) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Tier 2 / Bin 5 by the Federal government.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment

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. The Fit has the most standard safety features in its class with no other subcompact offering as much standard advanced safety technology. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts, while front occupants are further protected by pre-tensioning seat belts. An enhanced knee bolster provides additional protection for passengers.

Standard active safety equipment includes anti-lock braking system (ABS) with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD).

Paddle Shifters, Audio Options Define High Content Sport Model

The Fit Sport model is the only subcompact to offer steering wheel-mounted paddle shifter controls (with automatic transmission). The Sport package includes underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control, and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires.

The Fit Sport also features a premium 160-watt, AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, a five-mode equalizer, and an auxiliary audio jack for input from a portable music player.

Most Standard Subcompact Features, Segment Exclusive Accessories

Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, power windows, power mirrors, power door locks, and a two-tone interior.

The 2007 Fit promises to be one of the most customizable vehicles from Honda with approximately 30 accessories available at the dealer. Fit will offer the Honda Apple(R) iPod(R) Music Link(R) as a dealer-installed accessory. The Honda iPod Music Link allows the user's iPod (sold separately) to fully interact with the audio system. A segment exclusive, Music Link will control all the iPod's features via the audio head unit with album/song information shown on the vehicle's audio unit LCD display. It will also charge the iPOD's battery.

Other interior accessories include an ambient lighting, trim panel accents (silver, red and blue), steering wheel covers and shift knobs. Outside, the Fit can be customized with Honda Factory Performance equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, Sport package underbody kit, sport exhaust, chrome exhaust tip finisher, rear bumper accents and a sport mesh grille.

A consumer preview Web site for the Fit is available at fit.honda.com. Official pricing for the 2007 Honda Fit has not yet been determined.

Originally Posted by Dick Colliver

2007 Honda Fit Public Introduction at the NAIAS
Detroit 01/08/2006

Thank you, Mr. Fukui. We're going to Clean, Safe and Fun in just a minute,...but first, I'd like to tell you a little bit about the year we just finished. 2005 was truly remarkable for Honda. It began with the launch of the innovative Ridgeline truck, and continued with significant updates to the class-leading Accord and Pilot SUV, culminating with the debut of the radically transformed 2006 Civic.

Along the way, we recorded our 10th straight year of record sales, earned a number of awards and achieved some industry firsts. Most notably, Motor Trend Magazine chose Honda products for both car and truck of the year, the first time that any manufacturer has received both awards in the same year.

Motor Trend named the Ridgeline 'Truck of the Year' - an extraordinary achievement for a pickup in its rookie year, - and validation of Honda's unique approach to the pickup segment. Importantly, the Ridgeline continues to gain momentum with consumers as well, posting sales gains in 10 of the past 11 months. Additionally, the all-new 2006 Civic's combination of style, technology and value earned it Motor Trend Car of the Year honors.

As thrilled as we are about these accolades from some of the industry's toughest critics, we're equally proud of our track record on safety and environmental performance, made even stronger by the arrival of the Ridgeline and the new Civic. This year, once again, Honda has the highest corporate average fuel economy rating and the lowest overall emissions of any full line automaker.

And as Mr. Fukui has indicated, we intend to further strengthen this position. And the car we're debuting here today is no exception to the rule. If you don't mind my saying it ... I think it will be a perfect "Fit" in our lineup.

Last year we unveiled the Ridgeline, the largest vehicle in Honda's line up. Today we are here taking the wraps off our smallest vehicle - but make no mistake, there is nothing undersized about this car's safety performance, its innovative features or advanced technology.

It's a highly refined premium entry-level car featuring a number of firsts for the subcompact segment that will immediately make it a class leader. In fact, we believe it will fit perfectly into people's lives...

[VIDEO]

Already one of Honda's hottest selling cars around the world, the Fit comes to North America with unique powertrain, feature, and safety content to meet the needs of buyers in this market. As the Civic has gradually moved up market, it has left room in our lineup for a new entry-level model. But rest assured, the new Honda Fit delivers a lot more than just typical small car value and fuel efficiency.

When you look at other entries in the subcompact segment, the Fit arrives at the top of the class in terms of standard safety, refinement, interior flexibility, and fun to drive character. The Fit will appeal not only to entry level consumers, but will also appeal more broadly to consumers looking for a fun, flexible and fuel efficient small car that serves as an ultra-comfortable cargo mover.

Powering the Fit is a 109-horspower VTEC engine, and a 5-speed automatic transmission that's unique in this class. The estimated 33 / 38 city and highway mileage is among the best fuel economy ratings for conventional gasoline engines in 2006.

Demonstrating its fun-to-use spirit and Honda's industry-leading packaging ... unique flip and fold magic seats are standard in the Fit. These innovative 60/40 split rear seats allow the seatbacks to dive down into the floor or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing unprecedented seating and cargo carrying flexibility. In a demonstration of impressively big smallness, there's nearly as much passenger volume as an Accord, and only slightly less cargo capacity behind the second row than an Element.

Fit comes with the most standard features in its class making it a leader among subcompacts. For example, we know that our customers want more audio entertainment options, and we'll be the first in the segment to offer a new level of iPod connectivity that will interact fully with the audio system.

The Sport model comes with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters - not only a first for Honda, it's also a first for the segment. The Sport package adds an underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, aluminum-alloy wheels, and an upgraded audio system.

The Fit is a subcompact that does not compromise on safety. Adhering to Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, Fit has the most standard safety features in its class.

The Fit will go on sale in April as a 2007 model, and we're projecting sales of approximately 33,000 this year and 50,000 on an annual basis. We'll be announcing the price a little closer to launch timing, but we expect the base model will start between 13 and 14 thousand dollars. But the Fit is only half the story for Honda in 2006.

This fall, we'll introduce an all-new, completely re-engineered CR-V. And for the first time, we will be producing the CR-V in North America...at our East Liberty, Ohio, auto plant along side the Civic Sedan and Element...demonstrating once again the value of our flexible manufacturing system.

With the introduction of Fit in April and all-new CR-V this fall, along with continued momentum from the new Civic and other key models, we're projecting Honda Brand sales of around 1.3 million in 2006, which would make it our 11th consecutive record year.

Thank you for your time and attention this afternoon... let's make it a clean, safe and fun year.

Originally Posted by Edmunds

What Edmunds.com Says:Honda put together an excellent package of features and utility, but the Fit's awkward styling takes some getting used to.

What We Know: The introduction of the Fit gets Honda back in the entry-level segment. We're talking $15K for a well-equipped model. It's still not the cheapest vehicle in the segment, but Honda thinks it offers a better combination of features and practicality than the competition. Available as a four-door hatchback only, the Fit is similar in size to the Scion xA and Kia Rio 5, and slightly smaller than Nissan's new Versa hatchback. Go through the stats and all four vehicles offer roughly the same amount of leg- , head- and shoulder room, give or take a couple inches. The Fit's most unique features are its reconfigurable rear seats. Honda calls them "Magic" seats and they have four positions for varying levels of passenger and cargo room. Standard interior features on the base model include power windows, locks and mirrors; A/C; four-speaker CD stereo; and six airbags. The upgraded Fit Sport adds a premium audio system, MP3 port, keyless entry, cruise control, and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on automatic models. The Fit Sport also gets 15-inch wheels, lower body cladding, a roof spoiler and foglights. There will also be over 30 dealer-installed accessories available for further customizing the Fit to your liking. Powering the front-wheel-drive Fit is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that develops 109 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual or you can upgrade to a segment-exclusive five-speed automatic. Honda's latest variable valve timing system not only earns the Fit an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) rating, it is expected to earn EPA mileage estimates of 33 city and 38 highway.

Originally Posted by AssociatedContent

Steering Buyers Away from Scion
Published Jan 24, 2006 by Brian Want

Challenging the popular new Toyota brand Scion and its spiffy xA model, Honda is bringing a new subcompact to America: the 2007 Honda Fit. Known in some countries as the “Jazz,” the Honda Fit has been a big seller abroad, gaining positive reviews from users in nations as diverse as Argentina and Malaysia. In fact, it has even outsold the Toyota Corolla in Japan. The American version of the 2007 Honda Fit will hit dealerships in the spring of 2006, filling out the bottom end of Honda’s line and offering buyers a subcompact alternative to the tried and true, but admittedly duller, Honda Civic.

With an expected retail price between $12,000 and $14,000 for its base model, the 2007 Honda Fit is poised to steer buyers away from the Scion line and also from the Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, and Chevrolet Aveo. At first blush, the 2007 Fit looks like a cross between the 5-Door Chevy Aveo and the Scion xA on the outside – like a cute, crunched-up station wagon. But this squat little car is aptly named, and its indispensable versatility will separate it from the pack. The “Fit” is a triple entendre. First, it’s fit because it’s strong for its size: the car is a healthy runner with an efficient engine. Second, the car is designed so that it can fit more cargo with more seating variations than you’d ever expect. And third, the car is meant to fit, or appropriately match, the lifestyle of its owner. Someone at Honda had fun flipping through a dictionary and identifying all the ways in which Fit would be a fitting (pun intended) name for the car.

For those Americans concerned about power, the 4-cylinder Honda Fit engine is a 109-horsepower, 1.5 liter gunner – that’s plenty of pep for a small car. In this regard, it’s similar to the 108-horsepower, 1.5 liter engine on the Scion xA. The Fit will have a little more pickup than the slightly less expensive Chevy Aveo, Kia Rio, and the newly redesigned Hyundai Accent. As Americans learn to weigh fuel efficiency against power, small-but-ample engines like the Fit’s will continue to gain appeal. The 2007 Honda Fit’s gas mileage is estimated at about 38 miles per gallon on the highway and 33 miles per gallon in the city.

The real hallmark of the Fit, though, it what Honda calls its four special seat modes. When not being used conventionally, the seats can be maneuvered into four different configurations. The two rear seats can be flipped down to create a small flat bed in the back. This “utility mode” is allegedly big enough to fit a bicycle at an angle. The “long mode” involves flipping down the rear seats and reclining the front passenger seat to an almost fully prone position, allowing a lengthy item (Honda suggests a small kayak) to fit. But what about tall items, you ask? The Fit touts a “tall mode” which is created by flipping up just the lower (butt) portion of the back seat, allowing the user to shove something in from floor to roof, largely unencumbered. Finally, the fourth option is a “recline mode,” which fashions an in-car chaise lounge by flattening the front seat and using the back seat to support a reclining person.

These well-engineered variations are remarkable, especially in such a tiny vehicle. Pictures of these modes are available on the American Honda Fit preview website at www.honda.com, which will eventually be replaced when the car makes its debut in the spring of 2006. The Japanese website features a more thorough demo with enough English wording to be useful: www.honda.co.jp/fit.

The Honda Fit’s excellent fuel efficiency and its space-shifting tactics are not its only tricks, though. Look for other special features, including a unique connection for iPod users. Honda is tapping into a young market and will sell the Honda Fit as an ideal car for the first-time buyer. Unless American users find flaws that foreign Fit owners have not, the car should be a raving success. Honda’s tagline for now: “The Fit is Go.”

Originally Posted by Edmunds Insideline

A month before its showroom debut, we take a close look at — and a hard drive in — Honda's entry-level hatchback
By Peter Lyon Email
Date posted: 03-09-2006



Honda's mighty little Fit is already big news in Japan and Europe. Arguably the most practical super-mini on sale in both markets, the Fit will finally land in U.S. showrooms in April.

So why did Honda wait until now to introduce its four-door hatchback into the U.S.? Ask the PR types and they'll tell you that the company wasn't sure this small people mover would catch on. Or they might say that it didn't have the size or space for the local market.

Well, things have changed over the last couple of years in the U.S. since the Fit took on Europe (and won). Gasoline is more expensive, and with the high-profile hybrids making waves, the mood is changing stateside. People are starting to care more about emissions and mileage. And the success of the chunky Scion xB has proved that compact, well-packaged crossover types have a place in the U.S. market.



Enter the Fit with its sharp looks, great packaging and class-topping performance and handling. We sampled a Japanese-market Fit in Japan, which differs from the version that will be sold in the United States in several ways, including the design of its front and rear bodywork, the design of its wheels and its safety content. It was also right-hand drive.



Employing a simple, but uniquely Honda-like, grille and bulbous headlight design inspired by the S2000, the Fit offers best-in-class interior space, on-road performance more like a sports sedan than a minivan and above all, mileage topping 33 mpg (city mode).

Dropped onto a newly developed "global small platform," the technical highlight of this "big" small car is its centrally located fuel tank. Positioned right under the front seats and nestled between the reinforced side members, the 10.8-gallon tank configuration gave designers the chance to pen a flat floor, thus opening up substantial legroom and headroom in addition to a sizable luggage area. Although it's only 157.4 inches long, 66.2 inches wide, 60.0 inches tall and sits on a 96.5-inch wheelbase, the Fit feels as spacious as a minivan one size larger.



The Fit doesn't just seat four adults in comfort; it actually offers minivan-like cabin height and 41.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats down. And its numerous seating configurations give you the ability to carry three adults and a 7-foot surfboard — at the same time. It might be packaged like a mini-minivan, but it handles corners like a sports sedan.

The Fit is powered by the latest in Honda's new generation of compact, lightweight i-series engines. The 1.5-liter four-cylinder VTEC produces 109 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 105 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Married to either a five-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic, the low-vibration front-drive unit delivers strong power and torque response from low down in the rev range right up to the 6,500-rpm redline — surprisingly low for a Honda. The torque curve is flatter than most rivals and comes on power like a much larger engine. To add to the thrill factor, Honda is offering steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the automatic. Obviously, the manual extracts the most performance out of this engine, with its tightly spaced ratios and short-stroke gearshift, but the auto's paddles and unexpectedly quick gearchanges make you feel like an Indy driver, and in a minivan!

So the Fit's VTEC power unit might not be as dramatic as that of the Civic Type-R or NSX, but the little hatch's gearbox ratios are superbly matched to its 1.5-liter's torque curve, thus delivering surprisingly quick acceleration.

But it's not just the well-balanced, fuel-efficient engine and transmissions that enhance the Fit driving experience. A quantum leap in chassis and suspension rigidity takes the Honda into a league of its own in the handling department. One minute of driving is all that is needed to realize just how rigid this minicar is. You soon find yourself leaning into the next corner a little quicker. With bend rigidity jumping 210 percent and twist rigidity up 116 percent, the car feels planted to the road. Completing the Fit's underpinnings in a very un-minivan-like style are MacPherson struts and coil springs up front, an H-pattern torsion beam setup at the rear and side-force-canceling springs — which work to counter body roll.

The speed-sensitive electric power steering is well weighted, if a little heavy, and could do with a touch more natural feedback from the road. Ride quality is stiff but compliant enough for U.S. roads.

The end result is that you can throw the Fit into corners at speeds you shouldn't be able to. Choose your line and enter a corner at 50 mph, and the Fit traces the arc with perfect balance, with just the slightest hint of understeer.



Honda has also incorporated its G-CON high-integrity body frame, which passes the world's most stringent crash standards, including 40-mph offset, 35-mph side impact, and 31-mph rear-collision absorption. Dual front and side-impact airbags, antilock brakes and Electronic Brake Distribution with brake assist have all been fitted as standard equipment.

On the earth-friendly side, HC and NOx emissions have been reduced by 50 percent and more than 90 percent of the Fit is recyclable.

Each model also gets power windows, power mirrors and central locking. Set to raise the stakes in the small car market, the Fit will start at around $13,000.

Originally Posted by Honda Press Release

Monday March 20, 2:00 pm ET
Premium, Entry-Level Subcompact Delivers High-End Features and Class-Leading Standard Safety Equipment for 2007

TORRANCE, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new 2006 Honda Fit will debut at dealerships nationwide on April 20 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $13,850, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Fit leads the subcompact segment with the most standard feature content in its class, a unique level of interior functionality and a sporty driving character.

Built on Honda's foundation of dependability, quality and reliability, the Fit includes a 109 horsepower, 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, VTEC engine with a 5-speed manual transmission (an automatic transmission is also available, bringing the suggested retail price to $14,650). The Fit's standard safety features include dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front side airbags, side-curtain airbags and an anti-lock braking system (ABS). Big on space, the Fit incorporates more than 111 cubic feet of interior volume and a Magic Seat(TM) that provides four distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations.

"The 2007 Honda Fit demonstrates how an affordable and fun small car can have similar safety features and refinement as larger, more expensive vehicles," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "For consumers considering an attractive, affordable, and versatile car, the Fit provides a new entry point into Honda's vehicle lineup."

Priced at $15,170, the Fit Sport model with manual transmission adds a rear roofline spoiler, aero body kit, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control, a 160-watt, six-speaker audio system and 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires. Fit Sport models with the available automatic transmission come standard with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and will be available at the suggested retail price of $15,970.

Additionally, the Fit can be customized with Honda Factory Performance equipment including 16-inch alloy wheels, sport exhaust, chrome exhaust tip finisher, rear bumper accents and a sport mesh grille.

The Fit has an estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 33/38 miles per gallon (manual transmission) and is expected to be among the highest ratings in its class. Destination and handling charges for all 2007 Honda vehicles are $550.

Consumer information is available at www.honda.com.

Originally Posted by Honda Press Release

April 1, 2006


Overview
The compact design of the Fit's front suspension and rear suspension allows for a large passenger cabin with a low floor height for maximum interior space. The Fit uses a MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear suspension that provides excellent handling characteristics and ride quality. The Fit's front MacPherson strut suspension has geometry that contributes to the Fit's stable straight-line tracking and fun-to-drive cornering ability.

Similar to the steering systems used on the 2006 Civic Si and Civic Hybrid, Fit utilizes an electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system (EPS) to provide quick response with minimal effort from the driver. Its high-output brushless motor also contributes to improved fuel efficiency by eliminating the constant load on the engine from a hydraulic pump.

Fit Chassis Highlights

* MacPherson strut front suspension
* Torsion beam rear suspension
* ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD)
* Electric Power Steering (EPS)
* Standard 14-inch steel wheels for Fit, 15-inch alloy wheels for Fit Sport

Fit employs a sophisticated anti-lock braking system (ABS) with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the rear. The ABS system has electronic brake distribution (EBD), which varies braking force from front to rear based on dynamics associated with vehicle load. Fit's braking performance provides a direct and linear feel consistent with its fun-to-drive character. Standard equipment includes 14-inch steel wheels on the base model and 15-inch alloy wheels on the Fit Sport.

MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
Fit's MacPherson strut front suspension geometry includes a high caster angle and caster trail for straight line stability and optimum toe control during cornering. With these characteristics, Fit's front suspension provides sharp, responsive steering and exceptional straight line control, which is further aided by a quick steering ratio, bushing tuning, rigid control arms and mounting points, and spring and damper tuning. Similar to the setup in the new 2006 Civic, Fit's front strut suspension also provides more stable cornering by allowing the inner wheel to remain closer to vertical throughout a greater range of travel, which improves tire adhesion compared to conventional strut suspensions.



To provide good ride comfort, the compliance angle on the lower control arm is optimized to transmit less harshness. Further settings include a minimal center offset with the wheel to minimize the potential for torque steer and transfer of road imperfections from the tires to the steering.

Torsion Beam Rear Suspension
This H-shaped torsion beam was chosen for its compact size allowing for a lower cargo floor and maximum interior volume. To achieve high handling performance and ride comfort, the rear roll geometry and rates for springs and dampers are optimized for a stable and secure feel.



Electric Power Steering
To further reduce fuel consumption and to increase the "crisp" steering feel, the Fit employs an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system similar to that used in the 2006 Civic Si and Civic Hybrid. This electric steering gear box contributes to improved fuel efficiency by eliminating the constant load on the engine from a hydraulic pump. Instead, a high-output brushless motor replaces the oil pump to further improve the overall fuel efficiency of Fit.



Braking System
The Fit has 10.3-inch ventilated front discs and 7.9-inch rear drum brakes. Vehicle stopping is further enhanced by a standard 4-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The standard ABS incorporates wheel sensors at each wheel to modulate braking pressure. With this type of system, the ABS control unit is able to monitor wheel speed at each wheel and adjust braking pressure to each of the front drive wheels and rear wheels independently.

The potential for wheel lockup is greatly reduced in virtually all driving conditions, including situations where one side of the vehicle has significantly less traction than the other. The ABS system enhances the Fit's ability to maintain steering control during hard braking in normal and adverse road conditions.

Wheels and tires
Fit comes standard with 14x5.5-inch steel wheels (with wheel covers) and P175/65R14 81S tires. With Fit Sport, larger 15x6-inch alloy wheels with P195/55R15 84H tires are standard (shown at left). Accessory alloy wheels and tires from the Honda Factory Performance division are available for Fit and Fit Sport in a 16x6.5-inch size and a bronze finish (shown at right). Accessory tires are P205/45R16 83W performance tires.

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