Mugen 2008 Honda Fit / Jazz

Honda’s official tuning partner wasted no time at all with the new Fit (Jazz in Europe and elsewhere) introducing a wide range of accessories just as the compact hatch went on sale in Japan. Mugen offers two distinct bodykits for the Fit, the more aggressively styled RS Aero Kit and the more subtle, L/G Aero kit. Both kits include restyled front and rear bumpers, a roof spoiler, side skirts and chromed exhaust pipes. Buyers can also choose from a wide variety of other accessories including, alloy-wheels, aluminum pedals, extra gauges, sports exhaust system, quick shifter, sport suspension, brake pads and high-performance air-filter. -Image gallery after the jump

2008 Honda Fit – Jazz: Official Release & High-Res Images

Following a set of leaked images and first drive pictures from various car magazines on booth sides of the Atlantic, Honda came forward today with the official press announcement on the 2008 Fit or as it’s called in Europe and other markets, the Jazz (see here why Honda calls it Jazz). The second generation Fit will be available for order in Japan on Friday, October 26, 2007. Americans, Europeans, Australians, Africans –you get the picture, will have to be patient as the new Fit / Jazz will start off its worldwide career during the first half of 2008.

Honda’s designers weren’t as aggressive as they were with the 3d/5d Civic (even though they used some of the hatch’s styling cues on the Fit / Jazz). The overall length has been increased 55 mm (+2.2-inches) to 3,900 mm and the width 20 mm (+0.8-inches) to 1,695 mm, while the 1,525 mm height remains the same as the previous model. Additionally, the wheelbase has been increased by 50 mm (+2.0-inches) to 2,500 mm. In Japan, the new Fit comes with two new engine options: a 100 Hp 1.3 liter i-VTEC or a 120 Hp 1.5 liter i-VTEC. The latter is available in an RS guise which features revised suspension settings and sporty interior and exterior styling upgrades. -Image gallery & press release after the jump

Honda to begin sales of the all-new Fit in Japan

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the all-new, completely redesigned Honda Fit on Friday, October 26, 2007. The Fit has gained popularity as a small car that features outstanding packaging, excellent fuel economy, and advanced styling.

The second-generation Fit was developed following the tradition of Honda’s “man maximum - machine minimum” concept with the goal of creating the ideal small car for a new age. To provide values which exceed customer expectations for a small car and to set a new benchmark in the highly competitive small car segment, packaging, utility and driving performance have been further advanced with the all-new Fit.

The packaging of the new Fit is based on Honda’s innovative center tank layout, with a longer wheelbase and wider track for enhanced interior space and practicality, combined with the small-car maneuverability of a 4.7-meter minimum turning radius. The front pillar has been moved forward to create a spacious interior, while the exterior boasts exhilarating styling. An ingenious interior layout helped create a comfortable cabin with space equivalent to a mid-sized sedan. The new Fit’s practicality has also been enhanced with four-mode “Ultra Seat” and three-mode “Ultra Luggage” storage spaces.

The new Fit’s dynamic performance is made possible by a newly developed 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine that delivers maximum output of 73kW (100PS). Combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and newly developed torque converter, the engine provides enjoyable driving and class-leading 24 km/l fuel economy. The body rigidity and crash safety performance were also enhanced while maintaining weight equivalent to the previous model. Moreover, the newly designed chassis also helps achieve superior comfort and steady handling.

Newly added to the Fit lineup is a Road Sailing (RS) version which highlights a sportier and sophisticated character with a newly developed 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and a specially designed suspension with enhanced styling and a richer feel.

Honda Fit was first introduced in Japan in June 2001. It is now being produced in six factories in five countries and sold in approximately 115 countries around the world, with cumulative sales of more than two million units

Key features of the New Fit
Exterior styling

The exterior styling is intended to express both spaciousness and dynamic motion, with front pillars moved forward for an advanced, super-forward form. The fuel lid dovetails seamlessly with the monoform styling thanks to Honda’s first application of a push-lift opener. The door mirrors provide greater visibility with 30%*6 more surface area supported by a compact mount located at the base of the front quarter light. The addition of five new colors brings the total available body colors to twelve.

Packaging
The center tank layout was carried over from the previous model to help maintain the maneuverability expected of a small car while allowing enhancement of cabin space and practicality. The overall length has been increased 55 mm to 3,900 mm and the width 20 mm to 1,695 mm, while the 1,525 mm height remains the same as the previous model, allowing for use of tower parking.

While the wheelbase has been increased 50 mm to 2,500 mm, the tread size has also been increased to help optimize the steering angle and maintain the minimum turning radius of the previous model at 4.7 meters.

Interior

The cabin features an ingenious layout with equivalent space as one of Honda’s middle-class sedans, providing passengers a natural feeling of comfort.

The large three-meter cluster provides superior visibility with permanent illumination. The speedometer, located in the center of the cluster, features a large LED display providing of a broad range of information, including current fuel economy and range indications.

To ensure a comfortable driving position for all drivers, a tilt and telescopic steering column as well as a ratchet-operated seat height adjuster have been applied.

The front quarter windows are three times of the size of those in the previous model, and the width of the front pillar has been reduced by 20 mm to provide enhanced visibility. A new Sky Roof provides even more sense of space and comfort in the cabin. The power sun shield can be opened and closed with the touch of a switch for a comfortable cabin all year round.

The front seat is based on the seat frame of a middle-class sedan and fitted with springs and padding optimized for seat hold and ride comfort. The rear seats are 20 mm wider, 15 mm deeper, and have cushions 10 mm thicker for enhanced ride comfort. The left and right headrests fit into the seat back for easy seat arrangement and 30% better rearward visibilities.

Powertrain
The new Fit comes with either of two new engines: a 1.3 liter i-VTEC or a 1.5 liter i-VTEC. In addition to the superior low-rpm torque of its predecessors, the new 1.3l i-VTEC brings more power to the high rpm range and delivers enhanced fuel economy in everyday driving. The new four-valve configuration with enhanced intake performance and drive-by-wire technology combine to help achieve a power rating of 73 kW(100PS). The use of only one of the two intake valves at low rpm increases EGR efficiency, helping the Fit achieve a class-leading 24 km per liter fuel economy.

The new 1.5 liter i-VTEC delivers superior fuel economy combined with lively dynamic performance and plentiful torque throughout all speed ranges. Intake valve timing and clearance settings switch to match for low- and high-speed driving and optimized valve overlap in the low-, mid-, and high speed ranges enhances intake and exhaust efficiency for power output of 88 kW(120PS) and superior fuel economy of 19.6 km per liter.

The Fit’s continuous variable transmission delivers enhanced drive and off-the-line acceleration thanks to the implementation of a new torque converter. Higher gear ratios also help improve fuel economy by keeping rpms low during cruising. The low-friction, high-efficiency oil pump and pulleys as well as a new creep control system provide optimized creep control at low speeds and during idling for improved fuel economy.

Utility
The four modes of “Ultra Seat” provide enhanced utility.
Utility mode: Easy one-motion dive down and release operation of the rear seats. The luggage space can be extended to a maximum length of 1,720 mm*12 thanks to the spacious full-flat floor.
Long mode: In Utility mode, place the passenger seat in the full reclining position to create a space up to 2,400 mm long to carry long objects.
Tall mode: Fold up the rear seat cushions to take advantage of Fit’s 1,280 mm roof height—the perfect way to make space for tall items like house plants.
Refresh mode: Remove the front seat headrests and put the front seats in full reclining position to stretch out across the front and rear seats for a rest.


Chassis
The newly designed chassis realizes both superior ride comfort and steady handling. The rigid body and supple suspension provide an exceptional dynamic performance.

The new Fit features a McPherson strut front suspension.

The H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension achieves the maximum possible space for the rear seats and cargo area as well as supple ride comfort and steady handling.

The new electric power steering has more capacity than the previous model, and improvements to steering gear box rigidity and attachment points provide a more direct steering feel.

2009 Honda Fit / Jazz: Teaser Press Release

Honda issued the first official press release on its new Fit (Jazz in European markets) through its UK arm. Strangely Honda hasn’t official let loose any images but they did invite a handful of international magazines a couple of weeks ago to test drive a pre-production model –that’s how the official pictures leaked (…) on the net.

The press release states that the new Fit will premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show on 24 October, 2007 with sales staring in Japan in January ’08. As for the UK, Honda says that plans to bring the next generation model are still over 12 months away. We also discovered that Honda has opened up a dedicated page for the Fit / Jazz on its Japanese page, but unless any of you speak the language, it doesn't help us much. -Press release after the jump, for pictures and initial info click here

Honda’s next generation Fit/Jazz to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

The next generation Fit (sold as Jazz in European markets) will debut at the Tokyo Motor Show on 24 October, 2007. The car will go on sale in Japan in January ‘08 but plans to bring the next generation model to the UK are still over 12 months away.

Five years into its model life and Jazz remains Honda’s most successful small car. Its clever packaging, space and value for money have been a winning formula ensuring global demand and increased production capability.

Since launch in 2002, over 134,399 units* have been sold in the UK, enabling Jazz to retain its top five sector position despite plenty of new product competition. In retail, Jazz has held the number one spot amongst its competitor set for the past four years, selling an average of 19,300 units each year.

The key to success

It was the styling, flexibility (let’s not forget, the magic cinema-style seats) and economy that wowed customers when the car was launched, and continues to draw new and repeat customers today.

“The fresh look of the current car is a testament to the model’s original design and has attracted a loyal customer base which we are keen to retain with an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, approach to the next generation model,” said Tom Gardner, Head of Marketing, Honda (UK).

Customer satisfaction and Jazz’s excellent reliability have also played a major role, helping to retain customers year after year, Jazz after Jazz. Tom added: “Some of our customers are now on their third Jazz. Honda is renowned for its customer satisfaction and retention but Jazz has set a new benchmark with 60 per cent repeat purchasing in the last 12 months.

Great residuals help cost of ownership

Demand for new and used Jazz has meant that residual values are at levels normally expected from a newly introduced car – not one that’s five years into its lifecycle. After three years and an average 60,000 miles, Jazz will retain 40 per cent of its value.

“The used car performance of Jazz continues to delight us. With excellent value for money and high residuals into the bargain, the cost of ownership proposition has remained strong.”

Jazz has led the JD Power Survey supermini sector for four consecutive years, and continues to consistently win awards five years into its model life. It topped the Which? Reliability tables this year and has an unbeaten five top 5 category finishes in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey. In 2006 Jazz was awarded Best Supermini at Fleet News Awards, demonstrating its versatility across retail and corporate sectors.

Why Honda Didn’t Call The Fit - Jazz By Its Intended Name...

Since we found out why by one of our readers in a comment he left on our 2008 Honda Jazz / Fit article, we thought it’d be only fair to post the comment as is:

"You know why they didn't call the Honda Jazz/Fit by its intended name?

Honda had originally planned to name the first-gen the Honda Fitta. Probably sounds ok to you? If you were in Scandinavia though that would be the same as calling the car “the Honda Pussy”!

That's why they chose to call it the Honda Jazz in Europe but modified the original name slightly to Honda Fit in the US (Honda deemed Fit to be too close to the original name in Scandinavia). Honda had even made the brochures and the slogan for the model when the name problem was discovered.

The slogan: “Small on the outside but big on the inside”. Just imagine the adverts for that car in Scandinavia: Honda Fitta (Pussy). Small on the outside but big on the inside!"

2008 Honda Jazz / Fit - Official Images Hit The Net

The first official pictures of the second generation Honda Fit (Jazz in Europe and other worldwide markets) slipped into the internet this morning. Details are scarce for the moment, but we can tell you that the 2008 Fit / Jazz is slightly bigger than the current model measuring at 3,900 mm in length (+55 mm or 2.2-inches) and 1,695 mm in width (+20 mm or 0.8-inches) while the wheelbase (2,500 mm) is increased by 50 mm or 2.0-inches. From earlier reports we also know that in Japan, the 2008 model will be offered with two engine units, a new 1.3L VTEC delivering 100 PS @ 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 13.2 kgm @ 4,500 (vs 86 PS and 12.1 kgm respectively for the current 1.3L iDSi engine) and a 1.5L VTEC with an output of 120 PS @ 6,300 rpm and a maximum torque of 14.9 kgm @ 4.800 rpm. -Continued: Click "Read More..." below

From what we can see in the pictures, the 2008 Fit / Jazz’s design features several details inside and out from the European Civic hatch. However, to be totally honest with you, overall, the 2008 model sort of looks like the previous generation 5door Civic. We’ll have more on the newFit / Jazz as soon as Honda frees the official press release.