As the newest addition to the Honda line-up, the 2007 Honda Fit subcompact highlights Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative with a top five-star safety rating for frontal crash performance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Introduced to the U.S. in April 2006, Fit also features a high level of standard safety feature content, interior functionality and a sporty driving demeanor. Already one of Honda's hottest selling models in Asia and Europe, the Fit continues its success in the U.S. market in the subcompact segment.
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. The Fit offers more than 90 cubic feet of interior volume with multiple seating and cargo configurations. The Fit Sport adds wheel-mounted paddle shifters (with available automatic transmission) and a 200-Watt, six-speaker audio system. Fit is supported by a wide variety of Honda Genuine Accessories, including the Honda iPod® Music Link®, allowing owners to personalize their vehicle inside and out.
"Although Fit is an entry-level vehicle, it does not make compromises in feature content, refinement or material quality," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "The Fit may be inexpensive, but it does not feel cheap."
Standard Safety Equipment
Already a leader in vehicle safety as demonstrated by Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, Honda continues to implement leading safety technology in all vehicles regardless of size or price.
The Fit has a high level of standard safety features for its class with dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side-curtain airbags and an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). All seating positions have three-point seat belts, while front occupants are further protected by pre-tensioning seat belts and rear seats. Two Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in the outboard positions are installed in the rear seats.
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®, an innovative 60/40 split rear seat that allows the seat backs to fold down or the seat bottoms to flip up, providing five distinct seating and cargo carrying configurations (refresh mode, tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode and the standard five passenger mode). With all seats in the upright position, passenger volume measures 90.1 cubic feet (slightly less than an Accord Coupe'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 near the middle of the vehicle. The fuel tank location 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™).The VTEC system's ability to provide highly efficient operation at low engine speeds and increased 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.
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 tires 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 LEV II LEV by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Tier 2, Bin 5 by the federal government (EPA).
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 the available 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 200-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.
Standard Features and 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.
Interior accessories include the Honda Apple® iPod® Music Link®, 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.
