What I can't understand is my 92 civic hatchback doesn't have VTEC yet puts out almost the same amount of horsepower and torque with same 1.5L displacement. Let's compare:

1992 civic hatchback

102 Horsepower
98 Torque
34/40 mpg city/highway gas mileage
curb weight 2108lbs

2007 fit
109 Horsepower
Torque 105
33/38 mpg city/highway gas mileage
curb weight 2432lbs

It seems the car has become heavier (by 300lbs!) over the years with almost the same amout of horsepower/torque and mileage. Of course the fit is a 4-door hatchback.

This begs the question. What kind of VTEC is being used here? Is it VTEC-E or a newer form of VTEC with 3 modes of operation?

 

read up buddy about the fit, and as for cars getting heavier, its because over the years emissions, safety, etc... have added the extra weight

 

"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."

I would assume from this quote that what they are saying is that the Fit utilizes a form of the i-vtec system.

 

not to mention the new engine is rated on SAE05

 

Well, consider the following: your Civic's engine was designed with far more lax emission controls than in 2006. Given today's much stricter emissions certification and the fact the L15A VTEC engine dates from around late 2002, Honda did a pretty good job getting this engine to meet current EPA/CARB emissions standards.

I expect when the Fit has its full-model change (FMC), the primary engine for the US-market model will probably be a lower-displacement R-series engine, especially given the compact size of the R-series engine block and the modern SOHC i-VTEC valvetrain design. It'll probably be rated at around 117 to 120 bhp (SAE 08/04 net) and get ULEV Level-II emissions certification.

 

you can't compare a car with today's standard features to one over 10 years ago...regulations and customer expectations have significantly changed

 

the fit is much bigger and bulkier, the fit has a smaller more economic/fuel efficent engine.

 

dont compare it with the fit, compare it with a 1992 Civic Si. youll see some numbers change

 

if you compare torque curves too...the 1.5 liter vtec is a torquey little beast from 2000-5000 rpms and makes it very spritely to drive...it doesn't make the high end hp Honda is well known for



in fact with such a broad powerband and only 2400lbs to lug around it is one of the quickest small cars in its class and definitely the handling leader (there are several articles in the Fit Info thread)

 

exactly what i was going to say. it's not how much torque you have it's when you have most of it available in the rpm band