A Sport package can be had with an underbody kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel and 15-inch alloy wheels with P195/55R15 tires. If fitted with an automatic transmission, the Fit Sport will get steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters no less!
For a little more money, the Fit Sport can also be had with 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 portable music players such as iPods.
Also available will be a sport accessory group featuring a sport-tuned muffler, 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport grille integrating a thick horizontal slat finished in satin silver, and more.
Honda's colour accented packages for the interior, available in Blue, Red or Silver, really make a difference spicing up things inside as well. The highlighted car during the Detroit introduction, which sat most prominently at centre stage after all six Fits made their entrance, featured a bright red instrument binnacle trim piece, a steering wheel cover, an aluminum shift knob, modified switch panel and other upgrades to dress up the cabin, plus the aforementioned exterior upgrades.
But while the car's interior roominess and high levels of quality step up its desirability, its sporting pretensions will be even more intriguing to those who
want a little enjoyment during day to day drives. And to this end the Fit's little 1.5-litre four-cylinder should provide plenty of zip thanks to drive-by-wire throttle control, for immediate throttle response, and Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC). It's only one horsepower down on the Hyundai's Accent and Kia's Rio, the segment leaders in this department, but above Yaris by 3, at 109-horsepower. Max power is available at 5,800 rpm, while its 105 lb-ft of torque is maximized at 4,800 rpm; a total that eclipses Toyota's Yaris but once again falls slightly shy of the two Korean models that feature 107 lb-ft of torque apiece. The popular Chevrolet Aveo, due to be updated for the 2007 model year, along with its Pontiac Wave and Suzuki Sprint+ clones, will make lower output figures too,
at 103-hp and 107 lb-ft of torque, while the new Nissan Versa's much larger 1.8-litre four will produce a total of 125-horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque, the new class-leader for straight-line performance, but most likely not the best when it comes to fuel economy.
This is one area where Honda is silent, at least for the time being. No doubt the Japanese company is riding on its solid reputation for what is often best-in-class fuel consumption, and considering the Fit's light overall curb weight of 1,091 to 1,162 kilos (2,405 to 2,561 lbs), depending on trim levels, it should be thrifty. The light curb weight should also translate into spirited acceleration, especially when comparing automatic transmission equipped models, thanks to the Honda's five-speed auto gearbox, and it should also make sure the little car takes to corners well.
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| Honda offers accessories to help dress up the Fit's cabin, such as the aluminum shift knob and body-colour instrument cluster trim shown in this example. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
For a little more money, the Fit Sport can also be had with 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 portable music players such as iPods.
Also available will be a sport accessory group featuring a sport-tuned muffler, 16-inch alloy wheels, a sport grille integrating a thick horizontal slat finished in satin silver, and more.
Honda's colour accented packages for the interior, available in Blue, Red or Silver, really make a difference spicing up things inside as well. The highlighted car during the Detroit introduction, which sat most prominently at centre stage after all six Fits made their entrance, featured a bright red instrument binnacle trim piece, a steering wheel cover, an aluminum shift knob, modified switch panel and other upgrades to dress up the cabin, plus the aforementioned exterior upgrades.
But while the car's interior roominess and high levels of quality step up its desirability, its sporting pretensions will be even more intriguing to those who
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| The Fit's little 109-hp 1.5-litre four-cylinder should provide plenty of zip thanks to drive-by-wire throttle control and Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC). (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
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| Can't say how good the Fit will be on fuel, but its optional paddle-shifters (the + sign behind the steering wheel) and steer wheel-mounted audio and cruise buttons, make it feel pretty upscale. (Photo: Honda Canada) |
This is one area where Honda is silent, at least for the time being. No doubt the Japanese company is riding on its solid reputation for what is often best-in-class fuel consumption, and considering the Fit's light overall curb weight of 1,091 to 1,162 kilos (2,405 to 2,561 lbs), depending on trim levels, it should be thrifty. The light curb weight should also translate into spirited acceleration, especially when comparing automatic transmission equipped models, thanks to the Honda's five-speed auto gearbox, and it should also make sure the little car takes to corners well.