Honda to Release all-New Fit and Fit Hybrid in Japan

TOKYO, Japan, September 5, 2013 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced it will launch the all-new Fit and Fit Hybrid on September 6, 2013.^*1 The first-generation Fit revolutionized the concept of the compact car. Now in its third generation, the Fit once again sets the global compact automobile benchmark. While retaining the design concept of the original model, the all-new Fit features a completely redesigned powertrain and body and offers a whole new level of interior comfort, fuel economy, styling and driving performance.

The Fit Hybrid features the new, simple, one-motor Sport Hybrid i-DCD^*2 hybrid system, which performs off-the-line starts in EV mode. By switching automatically among EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive based on driving conditions, this system delivers fuel economy of 36.4 km/L,^*3 the highest of any vehicle available in Japan,^*4 and high responsiveness throughout the rpm range.

The all-new 1.3 L gasoline-engine Fit features a newly designed engine that achieves class-leading^*5 fuel economy of 26.0 km/L,^*6 rivaling that of previous Honda hybrids, along with very high output. The all-new 1.5 L gasoline-engine Fit leverages Honda's proprietary direct injection technology to produce high output for powerful, exhilarating driving.

Honda has further refined the center tank layout, an innovative Honda packaging technology that helped make the original Fit such a revolutionary compact car. The latest refinement of this layout makes possible a significant reduction in vehicle weight and an incredibly roomy interior that greatly exceeds expectations for the compact class. This new packaging contributes to the fun driving people expect from a Honda, as well as to outstanding fuel economy.

First introduced in June 2001, the Fit series has passed the two million units sold milestone in Japan.^*7 The Fit is manufactured in 10 locations in eight countries and territories, including Japan. A favorite model around the world, the Fit is available in 123 countries and territories, and over 4.87 million units have been sold to date.^*8

*1	The 4WD Hybrid type is scheduled for release in December 2013
*2	The full name is Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive
*3	Testing of Fit Hybrid (FWD) by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in JC08 mode
*4	Honda calculations as of August 2013 excluding plug-in hybrids
*5	Honda calculations as of September 2013
*6	Testing of Fit 13G (FWD) by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in JC08 mode
*7	Honda calculations as of April 30, 2013
*8	Honda calculations as of September 2013

Fit 13G F Package (FWD)		Fit Hybrid F Package (FWD)

Fit 15X L Package (FWD)		Fit RS (FWD)

Monthly sales target for Fit series (Japan):

15,000 units

Manufacturer's suggested retail price

Indicates model shown in photo

Type	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Price (including consumption tax)
13G	1.3 L Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC	CVT	FWD	¥1,265,000
			4WD	¥1,454,000
13G F Package		5MT	FWD	¥1,360,000
		CVT	FWD	¥1,360,000
			4WD	¥1,549,000
13G L Package			FWD	¥1,461,000
			4WD	¥1,650,000
13G S Package		CVT + paddle shifters	FWD	¥1,560,000
			4WD	¥1,749,000
15X	1.5 L direct injection DOHC i-VTEC	CVT	FWD	¥1,580,000
			4WD	¥1,769,000
15X L Package			FWD	¥1,680,000
			4WD	¥1,869,000
RS		6MT	FWD	¥1,800,000
		CVT + paddle shifters	FWD	¥1,800,000
HYBRID	1.5 L Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC i-DCD	7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) with internal high-output motor	FWD	¥1,635,000
Hybrid F Package			FWD	¥1,720,000
Hybrid L Package			FWD	¥1,830,000
Hybrid S Package		7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) with internal high-output motor + paddle shifters	FWD	¥1,930,000

・Prices are for reference only and do not include insurance, taxes (except consumption tax), registration or other fees.

・In accordance with Japan's automobile recycling law, a separate recycling fee will be levied. The recycling fee includes a recycling deposit (to cover expenses required to recycle shredder dust, air bags and fluorocarbons, plus an information management fee) and a capital management charge.

・There is an additional charge of ¥31,500 (¥30,000 before consumption tax) for the Premium White Pearl, Tinted Silver Metallic, Attractive Yellow Pearl and Premium Northern Lights Violet Pearl body colors.

Eleven body colors (including five new colors):
Vivid Sky Blue Pearl (new, exclusive Hybrid color), Attractive Yellow Pearl (new), Premium White Pearl, Milano Red, Light Beige Metallic (new), Tinted Silver Metallic (new), Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic (new), Premium Northern Lights Violet Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Sunset Orange II (exclusive RS color)

Note:

Attractive Yellow Pearl and Light Beige Metallic are scheduled to become production colors in November 2013

Six interior colors:
13G: Black
15X: Ivory, Black
15X L Package: Black with combination seats
RS: RS Black
Hybrid: Light Gray, Nuance Black
Hybrid L Package: Black with combination seats
Hybrid S Package: RS Black

Key features of Fit and Fit Hybrid

Honda's new design concept: "EXCITING H DESIGN!!!"

・The new crossfade monoform exterior styling represents a dynamic evolution of traditional Fit design elements. Advanced in every way, it is the perfect look for the world's benchmark compact automobile.

・As spacious and comfortable as ever, the sophisticated, futuristic cockpit takes refinement and ease of driving to the next level. The cockpit's controls are concentrated for driver convenience, the front passenger area is open and roomy, and the rear seats are highly comfortable for long drives. Every area of the interior is enhanced in both functionality and value.

・For fun, comfortable driving, the cockpit's advanced interface gives the driver intuitive control and instant access to important information.

Earth Dreams Technology powertrains—completely new to the Fit series

13G

・Thanks to the newly designed 1.3 L Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine and the newly designed lightweight, compact, wide-range CVT, this model offers class-leading fuel economy of 26.0 km/L. 

15X and RS

・The newly designed 1.5 L direct injection DOHC i-VTEC engine offers maximum output that is approximately 10 percent higher than that of the previous model. The result is powerful driving with a refined feel.

Hybrid

・In combination, the 1.5 L Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC engine; 7-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) with internal high-output motor; and IPU (Intelligent Power Unit) with internal lithium-ion battery deliver fuel economy of 36.4 km/L, the highest in Japan for a hybrid vehicle.

・The electric servo braking system increases regeneration efficiency, while the fully electric compressor reduces engine load. These and other advanced technologies help the new hybrid system offer more than 35 percent higher fuel economy than Honda's previous IMA hybrid system.

・Based on driving conditions, the hybrid system can automatically link and unlink the motor and gasoline engine, switching among three different drive modes: EV Drive uses the motor only, Hybrid Drive uses the motor and gasoline engine, and Engine Drive uses the gasoline engine only.

Newly developed platform

・In the first-generation Fit, Honda's original center tank layout helped revolutionize the compact automobile. Maximizing the benefits of this layout, the all-new platform made it possible to design interior space and overall packaging more freely and flexibly than ever before.

・Aiming for high fuel economy and exhilarating driving at the highest level, Honda has fully updated its manufacturing and analytical methods for the Fit series, resulting in a platform design that is even more lightweight and rigid.

・The surface area of sound-absorbing and -proofing materials is increased, helping produce exceptional quietness typically found in a mid-size automobile. This enhancement also greatly reduces the noise generated by irregular road surfaces.

・The roofline, front pillars, rear combination lamps and underbody have been designed for enhanced airflow, reduced drag and overall superior aerodynamic performance.

Newly designed chassis for fun driving in the Honda tradition

・The newly designed suspension offers smooth, stable vehicle posture and delay-free roll during turning. The result is a combination of stable steering, handling performance with a steady feel and a comfortable ride with minimized vibration.

・In Fit Hybrid types, the electric servo braking system converts a much higher amount of kinetic energy into electricity during deceleration, contributing to outstanding fuel economy. In addition, this braking system is the world's first^*9 to offer variable servo ratio control, which makes possible a highly linear and steady braking feel.

*9 Honda research as of September 2013

Advanced safety technologies concentrated in a compact body

・Featuring Honda's proprietary G-Force Control Technology (G-CON), the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure is a Honda-exclusive body design that enhances occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal collisions. The Pedestrian Injury Mitigation Body is designed to mitigate pedestrian injuries in the event of a collision involving the front of the vehicle. These and other technologies contribute to the excellent passive safety of the all-new Fit.

・Designed to assist the driver in preventing accidents, the active safety technologies of the all-new Fit include VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist), HSA (Hill-Start Assist) and the Emergency Stop Signal (ESS), which warns vehicles to the rear of a sudden stop.

・Offering a range of enhanced safety features, the City-Brake Active system is available on certain Fit types. The newly developed City-Brake Active system is designed to help drivers avoid rear-end collisions and accidents during off-the-line starts. The system is accompanied by a side curtain airbag system and a front seat i-side airbag system with staged inflation.

Advanced Honda Internavi navigation system and Linkup Free

・The electrostatic touch panel interface is easy to use, providing smartphone-like operation (factory option).

・Internavi LINC Premium Club members enjoy several advanced services. The Smart Map Update Service lets users update all map data for free every six months via the Linkup Free network for the first three years. More practical than ever before, the emergency information service sends the vehicle location and other pertinent information to HELPNET^®*10 (an emergency response service in Japan) when an airbag activates due to a collision or other cause.

*10 HELPNET^® is a registered trademark of Japan Mayday Service Co., Ltd.

Fit with rotating front passenger seat

・The rotating front passenger seat on this model makes it even easier to get in and out of the all-new Fit. Retaining the basic design, comfort and holding performance of the regular passenger seat, the exclusive rotating seat has a lower cushion with a smooth front edge for easier entry and egress.

・A touch of a lever makes the seat rotate smoothly. There is ample foot room throughout rotation to make the seat even easier to use.

Fit Hybrid F Package (FWD) with rotating front passenger seat

Manufacturer's suggested retail price

Indicates model shown in photo

Type	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Price (including consumption tax)
13G L Package with rotating front passenger seat	1.3 L Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC	CVT	FWD	¥1,555,500
			4WD	¥1,744,500
Hybrid F Package with rotating front passenger seat	1.5 L Atkinson cycle DOHC i-VTEC i-DCD	7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) with internal high-output motor	FWD	¥1,814,500

・Prices are for reference only and do not include insurance, taxes (except consumption tax), registration or other fees.

・In accordance with Japan's automobile recycling law, a separate recycling fee will be levied. The recycling fee includes a recycling deposit (to cover expenses required to recycle shredder dust, air bags and fluorocarbons, plus an information management fee) and a capital management charge.

・There is an additional charge of ¥31,500 (¥30,000 before consumption tax) for the Premium White Pearl, Tinted Silver Metallic and Attractive Yellow Pearl body colors.

Nine body colors (including five new colors):
Vivid Sky Blue Pearl (new, exclusive Hybrid color), Attractive Yellow Pearl (new), Premium White Pearl, Milano Red, Light Beige Metallic (new), Tinted Silver Metallic (new), Brilliant Sporty Blue Metallic (new), Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl

Note:

Attractive Yellow Pearl and Light Beige Metallic will become production colors in November 2013

Two interior colors:

13G L Package: Black

Hybrid F Package: Nuance Black

New 3G Fit/Jazz specifications

With the launch of the new 3rd generation Fit/Jazz in Japan just around the corner, now is a good time to consolidate what is known and what is expected of the all important specifications of the car, based on what has been leaked and also info feeding in from insiders.

For the 3rd generation, the Fit/Jazz continues to come with three main engines - 1.3l, 1.5l and a hybrid IMA engine which is now offered in 1.5l form only. Below is a leaked photo from a dealer's training manual that has been published on the internet. A TOVer posted it on our TOV forums but did not disclose the source.

According to another TOVer, when translated the following informations are pertinent:
- 1.3L DOHC, atkinson cycle but no DI (direct injection) mention
- 1.5L DOHC, Di but no atkinson mention
- 1.5L DOHC, atkinson cycle but no DI mention

Note that the information may not be complete and is contradicting to other sources, e.g. Best Car. For e.g. according to Best Car, the 1.3l is SOHC in format but the information above says it is DOHC VTEC with VTC (i.e. DOHC i-VTEC). However, the information above should be more accurate.

Also, the hybrid engine is 1.5l DOHC VTEC with VTC and according to past press releases, it is expected to operate using the Atkinson cycle for 'low-cams' and the normal Otto cycle for 'high-cams'.

As far as expected/leaked power info are concerned, the following is generally accepted:

1.3L : 98 ps, 88 lb-ft torque, 28 km/l fuel economy, i-DCD and 5MT
1.5L : 130 ps, 15.7kgm torque, 23 km/l fuel economy, i-DCD and 6MT 

1.5L IMA : 118 hp, 30ps from the IMA motor alone, 36 km/l fuel economy, most probably only i-DCD option only

Other details additional pages of the the leaked document provide additional details such as:

- Pre-safe tech (a new safety feature) would brake down to about 30kmph
- Orders for the JDM will be taken from 8/1. On sale date is 9/5
- LED headlights will be available in some trims
- 4WD models won't reach the dealers until December.
- A/C control through the touch-panel in some trims (like in the SUV concept)

On the new FIT SUV:
- On sale end of November
- Engine lineup same as Fit
- Both 2WD & 4WD available at launch, 4WD system similar to CR-V (i.e. RT-4WD)
- It says there will be a hybrid 4WD version, as well as 2WD.

TOV chief editor Jeff Palmer had a chance to drive the new generation IMA hybrid engines, in prototype form, late last year when he was part of the contingent to Japan courtesy of AHM and has this to say of his experence:

The one prototype I drove was pretty revvy - better than I thought. As mentioned, it leverages VTEC to operate in Atkinson mode on the low cam lobes, and at higher rpms it switches to a normal otto cycle, and it feels reasonably sporty. From a dead stop, the electric motor lurches you forward and you're halfway through first gear before the gasoline engine even gets the chance to fire up. In my notes I wrote that it felt like you finally got max power in 3rd gear. I also noted it got a little buzzy at high rpms (but not unreasonably so) but hell, even the new K24Ws are a little buzzy when wound all the way out (especially on the CVT), and this was still an engineering prototype (i.e. probably very little sound deadening). I also noted that the trans+motor assembly is really small and that the motor is considerably larger than the 7DCT.

 

Actual photos of new 3rd Gen Honda Fit/Jazz !

The India Auto Blog website once again scooped the rest of the world by putting up leaked photos of what is believed to be the upcoming new 3rd generation JDM Honda Fit (Jazz). The photos were clearly taken using a handphone off an internal Honda brochure or similar document as  watermarks with the statement  "prohibited to show outside the company" were printed over all the images. This lends credibility that it was an internal use only document probably a briefing document meant for Honda dealers.

Of interest is how these photos tallies well with the Best Car magazine's artist rendition. In their article, India Auto Blog also published some info on the new 3G Fit/Jazz, citing their opinion that some countries big with diesel will see a 1.6l i-DTEC Jazz while other countries will get a 1.2l and 1.4l version with India getting a 1.5l version. They also say that the 3G Fit/Jazz will be 60mm (slightly over 2inches) longer with a larger boot of 40l and that the magic seat will now help to offer 180 different seat configurations (!).

Due to the distortion of the original photos, several TOV/TOVA forumers have used photoshop to try to correct a couple of them to present what they believe to be more accurate versions. Those two photos are the ones put inline in this article here (as they belong to TOV/TOVA). The photos of the rear-end and the instrument cluster put below are the original leaked images however, which are copied from the India auto blog. The distortion of the photo of the rear-end can be clearly seen. There are more photos and more info in the India Auto Blog article and the original article can be reached at Inda Auto Blog 3G Jazz article.

'Scoop' info on new 3rd Generation Honda Fit/Jazz

Japan's Best Car magazine has published 'super scoop' info on the new 3rd generation Honda Fit/Jazz which is widely expected to debut this year around the Tokyo Motor Show time frame. 

According to one credible person with Honda 'connections', scoop info such as these but coming at so late a time are likely to be quite accurate.

According to Best Car issue for 'June 26', the actual debut date for the new 3G Fit/Jazz in Japan will be on September this year (2013) which is quite nicely timed for the Tokyo Motor Show. Key info are that it will still use a 1.5l NA engine but now mated with Honda's new DCT gearbox (called i-DSD) and will deliver an astounding fuel economy rating of 36km/l on Japan's JC08 fuel rating, which will make it the most fuel efficient car in Japan based on models currently available on the market (though this situation is likely to change).

Best car also claims that the dimensions will remain similar except for an 60mm (slightly over 2 inch) increase in overall length for a new length of 3960mm and an 80mm (slight over 3 inch) increase in the length of the cabin making it 1905mm. Width and height supposedly will remain the same.

More interestingly is the claim by Best Car of the possibility of a Type-R variant for this generation supposedly to be powered by a 1.5l hybrid turbo engine. According to TOVA'er CR-V9, the article actually stated that a turbocharged engine option for the 3G Fit/Jazz is almost a certainty and thus a Type-R 'probably' and which will be using the hybrid turbo engine. The artist rendering used as the main photo of this post is from our own Neal McDaniel, based on the rendering from Best Car on the right.  

New JDM Honda Accord Hybrid rumours

Magazines in Japan are currently going a bit crazy with rumours and supposed 'scoop info' on new models to be launched in Japan in the near future, including new Honda models. One of the Honda models in focus is the new Accord, in the form of a 'proper' Accord Hybrid rather than the full electric plug in. TOV/TOVA contributor DanielGr put up a scan of japanese magazine Holiday Auto's article with some details on the new Accord Hybrid (image on the left).

DanielGr's summary of the pertinent info from this articles are :

- Same 2-motor setup as the Plug-In, 200PS combined (as the Camry).
- FE rated at 30 km/L (i.e. standard Prius level, considerably ahead of the Camry Hybrid, which in JC08 is rated at 23.4km/L)
- Battery size being 1.3 kWh, which is about 5 times smaller than the plug-in, considerably smaller also than the Camry/Prius (which is around 1.6 - 1.8kwh)
- Price also starting considerably higher than the Camry at JPY 3.6M (vs. 3.05M for the Camry, though the difference might be in the feature-contents). 

Also, the article makes a claim that this new Accord Hybrid will be able to run in EV (electric motor only) mode at speeds of up to 100kph. 

This new Accord Hybrid is expected to debut in Japan in the very near future, probably at the Tokyo Motor Show end of this year.

3G Fit/Jazz Hybrid info

Someone with 'connections' posted this in our TOV forums about the new 3rd generation Fit (Jazz) that is due to be launched this year, probably at the Tokyo Motor Show or just before. 

The new Fit hybrid will only come with the 1.5L engine(last Fit Hybrid came with 1.3L or 1.5L) and in Japan it will be cheaper than this gen 1.5L Fit hybrid, starting around 1.6 mil yen

Production will start at the new factory in Yorii this July 2013.

Electric motor will be in the 20kw class and the car can run on EV mode only.

It is likely this new 3G Fit/Jazz will feature Honda's much talked about 'Earth Dreams' powerplant (engine+transmission), maybe even the new i-DCD twin-clutch gearbox that Honda boasted about last year. Honda essentially claimed 30% improvement in fuel economy over the existing IMA system in those press releases so if delivered, the new 3G Fit/Jazz may well likely take the world's hybrid market by storm. The photo above is of the current outgoing (2G) Fit/Jazz.

Honda regains No2 spot for total sales in the Japanese domestic market

After a 10 years wait, Honda finally regained its No.2 spot in the sales chart for the JDM (japanese domestic market), an achievement last made in 2002. While once again playing 2nd fiddle to mighty Toyota, Honda's total sales for 2012 is close to 50% that of Toyota, coming in at almost 750k versus Toyota's 1.65 million. Coming in close at Honda's heels is the unexpected pair of Daihatsu and Suzuki, both also achieving almost 650k total sales, and pushing the traditional strongmen of Nissan and Mazda down to No.5 and No.6 respectively.

Honda's best selling model remains the ever amazing Fit (Jazz), with the newest variant the Fit Hybrid and Fit Wagon contributing significantly to last year's sales. The Fit ended 2012 as the 3rd best selling car in the JDM selling almost 210k units. The top selling car in Japan remains the mighty Toyota Prius, ending the year with almost 320k units. Other than that, the Freed also did extremely well, ending the year in No.4 spot as top selling car in 2012.

The chart above, as well as the data in this post are provided by our Japan TOV contributor Daniel Garcia.

Top Selling Cars for 2012, Japanese Domestic Market (JDM)

1) Toyota Prius : 317,675 (+25.8%)
2) Toyota Aqua : 266,567 (new)
3) Honda Fit : 209,276 (+0.7%)
4) Honda Freed : 106,316 (+57.0%)
5) Toyota Vitz : 105,611 (-18%)