2012 Honda fit gets more refinement, more content, and subtle styling tweaks for 2012. See photos and read about the refreshed Fit at Car and Driver
The compact nature of the system of Honda IMA allows the B-segment car to maintain its ultra-flexible Magic Seats and 300 liters of luggage space. Inside the cabin the 2012 Honda Fit hybrid fresh-looking instrument panel with blue illumination of the rings and the center console. The dashboard incorporates a version of the Eco Assist function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise drivers on how their driving style influences their fuel economy
The 2012 Honda Fit hybrid is a great little car with gasoline-electric hybrid technology. This little sedan with the same 1.3-liter i-VTEC that his brothers and sisters dedicated hybrid model. IMA system is combined with a CVT transmission in the Honda Fit, which produces very low levels of other exhaust gases. Honda IMA system has proven to be a flexible and reliable with over half a million vehicles on the road to take advantage of its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.
The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and utilizes the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. When the Fit EV production model is introduced, it will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.
The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and utilizes the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. When the Fit EV production model is introduced, it will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.
The high-density motor, derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, delivers excellent efficiency and power while remaining quiet at high speeds. The Fit EV will have a top speed of 90 mph.
The Fit EV will achieve an estimated 100-mile driving range per charge using the US EPA LA4* city cycle (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor). Driving range can be maximized by use of an innovative 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid. The system allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal, and Sport to instantly and seamlessly change the driving experience to maximize efficiency or improve acceleration. While in Econ mode, practical driving range can increase by as much as 17 percent, compared to driving in Normal mode, and up to 25 percent compared to driving in Sport mode. Acceleration improves significantly when in Sport mode, generating performance similar to a vehicle equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine.
In addition to the 3-mode E-Drive system, the Fit EV will include several interactive coaching systems to assist the driver in maximizing battery range.
There's little doubt that Honda has a mixed record with hybrids. The original Civic Hybrid was well received, but its successor never achieved Prius-like mpg, while more recent entries like the Insight and CR-Z have garnered complaints for their dynamics and styling alike. However, with the launch of the new 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid in Japan, Honda may have at last found the right formula for green car success.
We get our turn behind the wheel of Honda's new eco warrior on the streets of Tokyo, but this car would make a lot of sense in the U.S., too. Cheaper and nicer to drive than the Insight — with all the space and practicality of the regular Fit — the Fit Hybrid exudes a sophisticated all-round feel. And it backs that all up with some pretty tidy fuel economy and CO2 emissions numbers.
Too bad, then, that Honda says the Fit Hybrid won't come to the U.S.
Already on sale in Japan (and slated for select European markets in early 2011), the subcompact 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid borrows the Insight's 1.3-liter IMA gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system drives the hatchback's front wheels and stows its compact battery pack and power control unit neatly beneath the cargo floor. This packaging has allowed Honda to preserve the Fit's signature million-way-folding rear seats on the hybrid model.
Not bad, but here's some perspective: The Toyota Prius is a heavier car with a larger-displacement 1.8-liter gas engine, yet it actually turns in the equivalent of 89 mpg under the same test conditions and earns an even cleaner emissions rating of 61 g/km. Ouch.
So, the Fit Hybrid isn't going to be the car that knocks the Prius off its perch — not with Honda's current level of IMA technology, at any rate. The hybrid conversion also adds about 220 pounds to the Fit, not to mention the equivalent of over $4,000 to its price tag.
Would you pay over $20,000 for a Fit Hybrid? The American side of Honda doesn't think so, at least not in great enough quantities to justify bringing it over.
The basic platform architecture and front strut/rear torsion-beam suspension is the same on the Fit Hybrid and Insight, but Honda has resolved spring and damper rates far more successfully this time. The Fit Hybrid has a supple, well-controlled ride that wouldn't shame an Accord.
That said, the Honda Fit Hybrid is by no means a sporty car. Its electric-assist power steering is low on feedback as we round a corner in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district. And, of course, if you push the little front-driver too hard, it understeers and feels soggy. Encouraging for a Honda, though, the hybrid Fit's brakes feel powerful, with a strong initial bite and an easily modulated pedal.
As on the Insight, the hybrid Fit's 1.3-liter gasoline four-cylinder develops 88 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 88 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. And as ever, the engine is peerlessly smooth, free-revving and well matched to Honda's continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The hatchback's small, front-drive electric motor is good for 13 hp at 1,500 rpm and 58 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm. It lurks in the background, ever ready to provide an extra slug of power when needed or charge the nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery pack as required. Honda rates the IMA system's combined output at 98 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque
The gas engine shuts down when you come to a halt to save fuel and emissions, but you still can't travel any meaningful distance in pure EV mode, as you can with the Prius. Then again, the Prius often feels numb, even sterile, while the Honda Fit Hybrid drives pretty much like a conventional car.
Honda won't offer up a 0-60-mph estimate, but the Fit feels respectably quick, helped along by useful low-range torque courtesy of the electric motor.
If you're feeling pious, you can press the green Eco button, which softens throttle response, amps up the regenerative braking and reduces air-conditioner oomph to promote more fuel-efficient driving. As you drive, there's a small hybrid flow meter in front of you, showing the direction of the current and, as in the Insight, the speedometer groovily changes color (blue to green) to match your eco driving.
Even using Eco mode, we don't get anywhere near that carefully orchestrated 70.6-mpg test bed figure during our tour of Tokyo. Still, if this hatchback comes to the U.S. as the 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid, we expect it to do much better than the current gasoline Fit's ho-hum 28 city/35 highway mpg rating.
The five-door Honda Fit subcompact gets a quieter interior for 2012. The Sport model has more standard features and available hands-free Bluetooth.
All 2012 Fit models have added measures for sound insulation in the floor and front fenders and thicker corner-window glass. The 2012 Fit lineup also gets new center cupholders, ambient lighting and available color schemes of Blue Raspberry Metallic and Orangeburst Metallic.
While the entry-model Fit exterior is relatively unchanged for 2012, the Fit Sport model gets a light makeover with a new grille design, black headlight bezels and a dark "machined surface" finish on the alloy wheels.
On the inside, the Fit Sport interior has a dark metallic dashboard to replace the previous gray-and-black one and additional chrome accents around the instrument displays. For 2012, the Fit Sport also gains steering-wheel-mounted audio controls as a standard feature and upgraded seat fabric. When equipped with navigation, it also includes hands-free Bluetooth.
All Honda Fit models come with a relatively fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine that produces an EPA-rated 29 mpg to 31 mpg in combined driving conditions, depending on the transmission choice.
Style-wise, the base version will inherit colour-coordinated rear-view mirrors and new hubcaps, while the Sport will feature a new front bumper, a redesigned grille, black-contoured headlamps and new wheels.
Inside, all variants will benefit from superior soundproofing; the engineers worked to reduce noise infiltration in the cabin by including noise-proof material under the floor, front arches and A pillars.
You’ll also find new cup holders and new ambient lighting with two original colours (blue and metallic orange), replacing two similar hues in the old version.
Again, the Fit Sport got a little extra attention. The dash will boast dark metallic elements and chrome accents surrounding the instrument cluster. And it will be delivered standard with audio controls on the steering wheel.
The same 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder mill will be on duty for 2012, producing 117 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque and coupled with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Will these changes allow the diminutive Honda to keep up with the competition?
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| 2012 Honda fit |
2012 Honda fit
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| 2012 Honda fit |
hatchback with impressive results. Now we just need to convince American 2012 Honda fit
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
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| 2012 Honda fit |
The compact nature of the system of Honda IMA allows the B-segment car to maintain its ultra-flexible Magic Seats and 300 liters of luggage space. Inside the cabin the 2012 Honda Fit hybrid fresh-looking instrument panel with blue illumination of the rings and the center console. The dashboard incorporates a version of the Eco Assist function, which uses the ambient lighting of the speedometer to advise drivers on how their driving style influences their fuel economy
The 2012 Honda Fit hybrid is a great little car with gasoline-electric hybrid technology. This little sedan with the same 1.3-liter i-VTEC that his brothers and sisters dedicated hybrid model. IMA system is combined with a CVT transmission in the Honda Fit, which produces very low levels of other exhaust gases. Honda IMA system has proven to be a flexible and reliable with over half a million vehicles on the road to take advantage of its combination of low emissions and fuel economy.
The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and utilizes the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. When the Fit EV production model is introduced, it will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.
The Fit EV is designed to meet the daily driving needs of the average metropolitan commuter and utilizes the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. When the Fit EV production model is introduced, it will be powered by a lithium-ion battery and coaxial electric motor.
The high-density motor, derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, delivers excellent efficiency and power while remaining quiet at high speeds. The Fit EV will have a top speed of 90 mph.
The Fit EV will achieve an estimated 100-mile driving range per charge using the US EPA LA4* city cycle (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor). Driving range can be maximized by use of an innovative 3-mode electric drive system, adapted from the 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid. The system allows the driver to select between Econ, Normal, and Sport to instantly and seamlessly change the driving experience to maximize efficiency or improve acceleration. While in Econ mode, practical driving range can increase by as much as 17 percent, compared to driving in Normal mode, and up to 25 percent compared to driving in Sport mode. Acceleration improves significantly when in Sport mode, generating performance similar to a vehicle equipped with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine.
In addition to the 3-mode E-Drive system, the Fit EV will include several interactive coaching systems to assist the driver in maximizing battery range.
There's little doubt that Honda has a mixed record with hybrids. The original Civic Hybrid was well received, but its successor never achieved Prius-like mpg, while more recent entries like the Insight and CR-Z have garnered complaints for their dynamics and styling alike. However, with the launch of the new 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid in Japan, Honda may have at last found the right formula for green car success.
We get our turn behind the wheel of Honda's new eco warrior on the streets of Tokyo, but this car would make a lot of sense in the U.S., too. Cheaper and nicer to drive than the Insight — with all the space and practicality of the regular Fit — the Fit Hybrid exudes a sophisticated all-round feel. And it backs that all up with some pretty tidy fuel economy and CO2 emissions numbers.
Too bad, then, that Honda says the Fit Hybrid won't come to the U.S.
Already on sale in Japan (and slated for select European markets in early 2011), the subcompact 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid borrows the Insight's 1.3-liter IMA gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. The Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system drives the hatchback's front wheels and stows its compact battery pack and power control unit neatly beneath the cargo floor. This packaging has allowed Honda to preserve the Fit's signature million-way-folding rear seats on the hybrid model.
Not bad, but here's some perspective: The Toyota Prius is a heavier car with a larger-displacement 1.8-liter gas engine, yet it actually turns in the equivalent of 89 mpg under the same test conditions and earns an even cleaner emissions rating of 61 g/km. Ouch.
So, the Fit Hybrid isn't going to be the car that knocks the Prius off its perch — not with Honda's current level of IMA technology, at any rate. The hybrid conversion also adds about 220 pounds to the Fit, not to mention the equivalent of over $4,000 to its price tag.
Would you pay over $20,000 for a Fit Hybrid? The American side of Honda doesn't think so, at least not in great enough quantities to justify bringing it over.
The basic platform architecture and front strut/rear torsion-beam suspension is the same on the Fit Hybrid and Insight, but Honda has resolved spring and damper rates far more successfully this time. The Fit Hybrid has a supple, well-controlled ride that wouldn't shame an Accord.
That said, the Honda Fit Hybrid is by no means a sporty car. Its electric-assist power steering is low on feedback as we round a corner in Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district. And, of course, if you push the little front-driver too hard, it understeers and feels soggy. Encouraging for a Honda, though, the hybrid Fit's brakes feel powerful, with a strong initial bite and an easily modulated pedal.
As on the Insight, the hybrid Fit's 1.3-liter gasoline four-cylinder develops 88 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 88 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. And as ever, the engine is peerlessly smooth, free-revving and well matched to Honda's continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The hatchback's small, front-drive electric motor is good for 13 hp at 1,500 rpm and 58 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm. It lurks in the background, ever ready to provide an extra slug of power when needed or charge the nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery pack as required. Honda rates the IMA system's combined output at 98 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque
The gas engine shuts down when you come to a halt to save fuel and emissions, but you still can't travel any meaningful distance in pure EV mode, as you can with the Prius. Then again, the Prius often feels numb, even sterile, while the Honda Fit Hybrid drives pretty much like a conventional car.
Honda won't offer up a 0-60-mph estimate, but the Fit feels respectably quick, helped along by useful low-range torque courtesy of the electric motor.
If you're feeling pious, you can press the green Eco button, which softens throttle response, amps up the regenerative braking and reduces air-conditioner oomph to promote more fuel-efficient driving. As you drive, there's a small hybrid flow meter in front of you, showing the direction of the current and, as in the Insight, the speedometer groovily changes color (blue to green) to match your eco driving.
Even using Eco mode, we don't get anywhere near that carefully orchestrated 70.6-mpg test bed figure during our tour of Tokyo. Still, if this hatchback comes to the U.S. as the 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid, we expect it to do much better than the current gasoline Fit's ho-hum 28 city/35 highway mpg rating.
The five-door Honda Fit subcompact gets a quieter interior for 2012. The Sport model has more standard features and available hands-free Bluetooth.
All 2012 Fit models have added measures for sound insulation in the floor and front fenders and thicker corner-window glass. The 2012 Fit lineup also gets new center cupholders, ambient lighting and available color schemes of Blue Raspberry Metallic and Orangeburst Metallic.
While the entry-model Fit exterior is relatively unchanged for 2012, the Fit Sport model gets a light makeover with a new grille design, black headlight bezels and a dark "machined surface" finish on the alloy wheels.
On the inside, the Fit Sport interior has a dark metallic dashboard to replace the previous gray-and-black one and additional chrome accents around the instrument displays. For 2012, the Fit Sport also gains steering-wheel-mounted audio controls as a standard feature and upgraded seat fabric. When equipped with navigation, it also includes hands-free Bluetooth.
All Honda Fit models come with a relatively fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine that produces an EPA-rated 29 mpg to 31 mpg in combined driving conditions, depending on the transmission choice.
Style-wise, the base version will inherit colour-coordinated rear-view mirrors and new hubcaps, while the Sport will feature a new front bumper, a redesigned grille, black-contoured headlamps and new wheels.
Inside, all variants will benefit from superior soundproofing; the engineers worked to reduce noise infiltration in the cabin by including noise-proof material under the floor, front arches and A pillars.
You’ll also find new cup holders and new ambient lighting with two original colours (blue and metallic orange), replacing two similar hues in the old version.
Again, the Fit Sport got a little extra attention. The dash will boast dark metallic elements and chrome accents surrounding the instrument cluster. And it will be delivered standard with audio controls on the steering wheel.
The same 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder mill will be on duty for 2012, producing 117 hp and 106 lb-ft of torque and coupled with a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Will these changes allow the diminutive Honda to keep up with the competition?
2012 Honda fit
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