This all started when the 42-year-old woman driving the Fit attempted to turn around and her tires stuck to the railroad tracks. We're not sure if they were so cold they froze to the tracks or, somehow, the front wheels were angled into the air in a way making it impossible to drive. Either way, the woman did what you should do when your car is stuck on the tracks and you see a train coming — she ran for her life.

The engineer attempted to halt the train when he saw the car ahead but was unable to fully bring it to a stop. The train's engine caught on fire and the Fit was totaled, but casualties were limited to two minor passenger injuries. All things considered, the Fit is in decent shape given the force it was thwacked with and the resulting fire.

[MLive]

Fastest Selling Vehicles Based On Time On Lot

1. 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350: 6 days
2. 2009 Nissan 370Z: 9 days
3. 2009 Toyota Venza: 20 days
4. 2009 Lexus LS 460: 21 days
5. 2009 Ford F-150 crew cab: 23 days
6. 2009 Toyota Highlander: 24 days
7. 2009 Honda Fit: 25 days
8. 2009 BMW X5: 26 days
9. 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350: 27 days
10. 2009 Ford F-150 extended cab: 28 days

Despite a miserable economy, eroding consumer confidence, financing issues and lingering fears of another gas price spike, the best selling cars are all fairly expensive and skew towards crossovers (with the exception of the Fit), trucks, and SUVs. Not a single hybrid on the list. It's almost as if Americans prefer bigger cars that maybe don't get the best gas mileage. Holy Toledo! Stop the presses! Head over to Cars.com for the top ten biggest sales losers.

The Venza being on the hot list makes us silently weep for humanity.

As with any publication, when we put together a product review, the editorial staff collaborates to develop parts of the overall opinion of the car in question. The staff person driving the car takes an initial stab at the driving experience. Then I, as road test editor, take the lead in helping to refine their position into something resembling English. Often, when I'm driving the car, I'm deciding a lot of what Jalopnik's opinions are. As the head honcho, Ray gets to stick his head in when he feels I’m drastically wrong. To be fair, he’s actually pretty good about this, deferring to my far greater expertise in nearly every instance. This morning he didn’t.

I thought the Fit was a suitable car for both working stiffs and technogeeks; Ray disagreed, saying, “I don't think working stiffs will work with the Fit. And technogeeks? Also a "no" — is the ipod connector digital or just an aux-in jack? Frankly, a full-fledged iPod connector attachment should be the base level for almost any car these days.”

We define “working stiff” as an individual, typically a male, who uses his car for work. These are typically plumbers, construction worker or similar, so a vehicle like the Ford F-150 would be a good example of something suitable for a working stiff.

We define “technogeek” as Brian Lam.

While I’d agree that iPod integration should be included in all cars and isn’t a qualification for becoming a technogeek car, I think it’s the Fit’s lack of gadgets that makes it the perfect car for nerds. You see, the Fit doesn’t feature many gadgets because it doesn’t need them, it is a gadget.

My dictionary defines “gadget” as, “a small mechanical device or tool, especially an ingenious or novel one.” I think that also sums up the Fit. Its flexible interior is so incredibly useful and is wrapped up in a tiny, good-looking package that’s a pleasure to use. Driving the Fit, I get the same feeling that I get from using my SOG PowerAssist multi-tool or my iPod. It’s an ingeniously useful, fun product that defies categorization as just another subcompact.

But Ray doesn’t think so. Why? Bias. Both his own and the bias he assumes exists in the mind of mainstream Americans.

Historically, Americans struggle to perceive utility in small cars, assuming anything smaller than an Escalade is unsuitable for carrying any more than a single resident of San Francisco and possibly, in a pinch, his poodle. But, as the era of cheap gas and universal American affluence comes to an end while simultaneously most of us become city-dwellers, that perception is rapidly disappearing.

As the most progressive auto publication on the planet we need to anticipate changes like that and work to include them in our editorial. We should be telling people that they would probably be happier in a Fit than in a mid-size sedan. Its utility and efficiency also makes it appropriate for working stiffs that don’t have enormous pieces of material to cart around. For that and many other reasons, I felt the Fit deserved five stars. Ray didn’t. He’s wrong.

Wert Is Wrong is a new weekly feature designed to help Jalopnik editorial staff deal better with Der Werter's oppressive OCD control on content, and will rotate between Jalopnik’s editorial staff. Ray will have an opportunity to respond to the criticism in the comments below, just like you have an opportunity to expound on just how wrong he is. He will keep his editing of this feature to a minimum. Mostly just looking for spelling errors that make us look silly.

Why you should buy the 2009 Honda Fit Sport:
You plan on buying a small, practical car not because you have to, but because you want to. You realize that, unless you have three kids, a larger vehicle is just an extravagance. You need a car that can do everything and you’re on a budget. You need a high cup holder to vehicle size ratio; the Fit is small and has 10.

Why you shouldn’t buy this car:
This is America dammit, hatchbacks are for Rainbow-wearing Euro Commie Terrorists. Your active lifestyle — involving wind surfing, mountain biking, heavy construction work and modeling for SUV ads — necessitates the purchase of a yellow Hummer H3T. You think a) cars impress women and b) those women prefer something a bit manlier. You can only afford one car and you need that car to be a sportscar.

Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: Yes
Very Serious Businessmen: No
Sheiklets: No

Also Consider:
• Toyota Yaris
• Nissan Versa
• Suzuki SX4
• Hyundai Accent
• Mazda5

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Honda
• Model: Fit Sport
• Model year: 2009
• Base Price: $16,360
• Price as Tested: $18,960
• Engine type: 1.5-liter I4
• Horsepower: 117 HP @ 6600 rpm
• Torque: 106 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
• Transmission: 5-Speed Automatic w/paddles
• Curb Weight: 2,615 lbs
• LxWxH: 161.6" x 66.7" x 60.0"
• Wheelbase: 98.4"
• Tires: 185 / 55 R16 83H
• 0 - 60 mph: 9.0 seconds
• Top Speed: 100 MPH (est)
• EPA Fuel economy city/highway: 27/33 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating: *****/*****

Also see:
• 2009 Honda Fit Sport, Part One
• 2009 Honda Fit Sport, Part Two

Exterior Design: ***
The Fit’s biggest problem is it looks, at best, like a jellybean. At worst, like a minivan. Having said that, the exterior is a means to an end. That end? Space, and lots of it in a tiny package. Vision is also excellent through the large glasshouse.

Interior Design: *****
The Fit’s defining characteristic. If ever the term “Tardis-like” applied to a car, it’s this one. There’s room for four adults and their luggage or, start folding seats, and you can carry tall objects, long objects, big objects, small objects (lots of them), awkwardly shaped objects or just about anything really. While you’re not going to mistake this interior for that of an Audi, all the materials are robust, the controls intuitive and the quality high.

Acceleration: ****
0-to-60 takes just 9 seconds. In a 30 MPG subcompact that looks like a jellybean, equipped with an autobox. That’s as fast Mk 2 Golf GTI 8V. Sure, you have to rev the bejesus out of the engine, but doing so is very enjoyable. Use the gearbox and, even at highway speeds, you'll never feel underpowered.

Braking: ***
Competent and unremarkable; the front disc, rear drum setup is more than enough to haul the lightweight Fit to a stop quickly and easily.

Ride: ****
The long wheelbase to overall vehicle size ratio helped the Fit handle New York’s permanent road construction admirably, but ultimately it feels unsettled over the really rough stuff.

Handling: ****
Initially a little soft for our tastes, the Fit is actually extremely capable, communicative and rewarding. Sure it’s a front wheel drive economy car, but the fundamental rightness of the Fit’s chassis elevates it above most cars on the road, not just its category.

Gearbox: ***
We got lumped with the autobox version (a 5-speed is standard), but equipped with paddles it was fun to use, responsive and quick to shift.

Audio: ***
Basic, but functional, there’s an iPod connector in the top glove box.

Toys: ***
We had the specced-up version with Satnav. That system works well, but that's all there is to play with. Aside from the folding rear seats, which are quick, easy and effective.

Value: ****
Everything we need and just about everything we want in a car for a $16,260 starting price (Fit Sport, the Fit starts at $14,750). We’d take one of these over the far more expensive Mini and spend the savings packing the rear full of Ikea furniture. The Fit is actually several thousand dollars more expensive than the far less practical Toyota Yaris or Nissan Versa, but we actually want a Fit and it’s the cheapest car we can say that about.

Overall: ****
The Fit Sport is good to drive, exceptionally practical, frugal and affordable. It’s the kind of simple, well-engineered vehicle that Honda built its reputation on and would do well to emulate across the rest of its current range. We’ve recommended that friends and family purchase a Fit more than any other vehicle on sale not just because it’s the kind of car that can fit (pun!) into many different lifestyles and fulfill most people’s needs, but also because they’ll enjoy owning it. We would.

Also see:
• 2009 Honda Fit Sport, Part One

One of the things we’re constantly advocating here on Jalopnik is simple, well-engineered cars that are both fun to drive and have high utility. Honda has traditionally been a stalwart of those values, delivering cars that did everything we wanted and needed without frills and complication. Sadly, we found the 2008 Honda Accord did just the opposite. Like the new Accord, the 2009 the Honda Fit is also bigger and heavier. Also like the Accord, we're wondering whether it's lost its fundamental rightness in the pursuit of an impressive spec sheet.

The original Fit went on sale in the US in 2006. Driving the 2007 Honda Fit Sport, Mike Bumbeck reported, “The Honda Fit is a truly fun-to-drive subcompact econobox with some innovative features and a great deal of character.” That car developed a cult following not just for its cute and cuddly looks, but for the extremely capacious interior, frugal fuel economy and, most importantly its fun drive.

For 2009, the Fit is a little heavier (2,661 Lbs to 2,551), a little longer (161.6” to 157.4) and a little more powerful (117 HP to 105. But, it’s not any less economical. In fact, at 30 MPG combined, it’s one up on the outgoing model. Most noticeably, it now looks like a jellybean.

The Fit has developed enough of a reputation that, when we jumped into the new model to rush to La Guardia, motorcycle designer JT Nesbitt recognized the car and looked forward to riding in it. That feeling lasted as we loaded it up with three six-foot plus biker badasses, a week’s worth of winter luggage and hit the road at 6pm on a snowy weeknight with only an hour to go to catch a departing flight.

Once we got going, it was a different story. With a redline bumped up from 6,300 to 6,800 RPM and a ready willingness to kick down from the paddle shifters (we were sadly lumped with an automatic transmission) the Fit makes you very aware that its engine is working hard to deliver its 9-second 0-60 time. Heading out of Greenpoint and up the challenging off-road course that doubles as the Brooklyn Queens Expressway I was using every one of those revs to push the car hard through traffic. Realizing that JT had stopped asking questions about the car I looked over to seem him white knuckled and wide-eyed, fearing for his life not on a land speed record motorcycle, but a friendly-looking hatchback.

The 2009 Fit is every bit as good to drive as its predecessor, rewarding drivers for finding the hidden depths that lie behind the cushy ride and propensity for body roll. Smaller than most other cars on the road, you cannot only exploit gaps in traffic, but the width of the road itself, shifting position in corners for added-visibility and therefore speed. The fit is the first fun-to-drive car I’ve been able to do that in since I owned my last E30.

Arriving home later that night the Fit’s tiny dimensions helped again. Instead of playing the usual New York game of hunting for parking spots for 20 minutes or more, I was able to squeeze into a tiny space right outside of my apartment. It may not be the fastest, nor best looking vehicle on sale, but at just $14,750 it offers a better driving experience than many cars that cost twice as much and has the interior space of cars twice the size. In short, it’s exactly the kind of simple, well-engineered, fun-to-drive, practical affordable car we’ve been asking for.

Sure, we still liked offerings from both the Far East and Europe, but, overwhelmingly, our favorites hailed from Detroit. Believe it or not, there was a discussion earlier this year as to the appropriateness of having a road test editor who was so anti-American cars. That’s no longer a topic of conversation; check out the 11 most popular reviews, listed in reverse order below, and I think you’ll see why.

Click on the images below to read the stories.

11.) 2009 Acura TSX

Jalopnik's Take: Ray summed up the TSX in four words: "competent yet remarkably boring." I’d add “the most attractive use of Acura’s buck-toothed front end, but that’s not saying much.” According to Acura, the TSX’s buyer is looking for a well-made, fully-featured, reliable vehicle. While we acknowledge that many people fit that profile, we don’t.
How Many Readers: 20,464
How Much: $29,160
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 201

10.) 2009 Honda Fit

Jalopnik's Take: I had to choose between driving this, or the ZR1. You might be surprised to hear that I thought about that for more than 10 seconds. The Fit’s always been the fun choice for those needing a practical small car on a budget. John Krewson found that, for 2009, it’s ramped up that practicality without sacrificing too much in the way of fun. He also made friends with it. He’s a bit weird.
How Many Readers: 24,860
How Much: $14,550
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 117

9.) 2008 Smart ForTwo

Jalopnik's Take: I get really fed up with people’s preconceived notions about cars. More people have more preconceived notions about the little Smart than just about any other car, so I wrote this one to address those notions. In hindsight, I probably should have provided more justification for the “it’s not gay” part.
How Many Readers: 24,964
How Much: $18,500
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 70

8.) 2009 BMW X6

Jalopnik's Take: This one was a complete surprise. BMW’s range has really lost its “Ultimate Driving Machine” edge. They don’t steer that well anymore, they’re not that involving. Bizarrely, despite its complete absence of steering feel and complete reliance on involvement-removing performance aids, the X6 is really fun to drive. It’s the size of a Suburban, but goes like an M3. You sit 10-feet off the ground, but there’s no dive and no roll. The X6’s capacity for cornering is unlimited. When the torque vectoring differential BMW calls Xdrive trickles down to a more obvious performance application it’s going to be big news. Mark my words.
How Many Readers: 26,616
How Much: $63,225
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 300

7.) 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Jalopnik's Take: Ray ordered me to win the mileage challenge Ford held for journalists. So I did, getting 43.8 MPG driving through LA traffic. Most journalists got between 32 and 37 MPG, which is more realistic for the average driver. That’s only part of the story however, the Fusion Hybrid is good-looking, good to drive and, for the class, has a nice interior. All that’s wrapped up in a reasonable price tag. It’s not the kind of vehicle we fall asleep dreaming about, but it is the kind of vehicle people are going to buy in big numbers.
How Many Readers: 27,344
How Much: $27,270
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 191

6.) 2009 Subaru Forester

Jalopnik's Take: the Forester was always the anti-SUV, all capability and no pretense. For 2009 it gains a tall, SUV-style body, which, too many, is a huge step in the wrong direction. Despite this, it retains all of the utility it’s become famous for while proving fun to drive both off-road and on.
How Many Readers: 27,439
How Much: $26,195
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 224

5.) 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Jalopnik's Take: We didn’t actually drive the Raptor — no one outside Ford has yet — but we did ride in one and, as you’d expect from a beefed-up off-roader built for speed, it was awesome. I’m looking forward to driving this more than any other vehicle in 2009.
How Many Readers: 29,968
How Much: n/a
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 400

4.) 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

Jalopnik's Take: Cadillac reps had to order me out of the CTS-V after nearly four hours of continuous lapping at Monticello Motor Club. Combing detuned versions of the motor, brakes and suspension from the ZR1 with one of the nicest luxury sedans on the market is a winning formula, out M-ing or AMG-ing all comers. If Gawker paid me more, I’d buy one of these to live in.
How Many Readers: 30,531
How Much: $60,355
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 556

3.) 2007 Honda Civic 2.2 CTDI Vs. 2007 Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

Jalopnik's Take: A real slap on the head moment, this. Guess what? Diesels are great to drive and can deliver ridiculously good mileage. While trying kinda hard (sticking to speed limits, no aero mods) we got 72.4 MPG highway from the Civic and 33.2 MPG from the 550 Lb-Ft Q7. Yes, that’s ridiculous, and no, we don’t know why you can’t buy them here.
How Many Readers: 35,410
How Much: n/a
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 326-Q7, 138-Civic

2.) 2010 Ford Mustang

Jalopnik's Take: I’m not what you’d call a Mustang Person. I don’t watch televised sports. I don’t own a single pair of cotton hammer pants. But, when equipped with the optional Track Pack, the 2010 GT won me over. Know the romantic image saying “Ford Mustang” conjures up somewhere in the back of your mind? The one involving the PCH and lots of cheesy helicopter shots? The 2010’s handling, looks and driving experience finally live up to that.
How Many Readers: 36,148
How Much: $27,995
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 315

1.) 2009 Corvette ZR1

Jalopnik's Take: The most anticipated car of the year lived up to the hype by being faster, better handling and more involving than anyone could have possibly hoped. I’ll remember the day I spent driving it at the Lutz Ring as one of the highlights of my career and, to this day, have a hard time conveying the experience in words. The ZR1 single-handedly convinced me that the American car industry has a bright future; there’s no better car made anywhere in the world.
How Many Readers: 77,053
How Much: $103,300
How Many Horsies Under The Hood: 638

Honda is planning to ship roughly 90,000 2009 Fits to the US from its Suzuka, Japan plant, the only factory currently producing US-market Fits. If current market trends hold, however —and the new Fit is well-received — we think Honda's allocations are on the low side. The company sold over 12,000 new Fits in the US in July alone, so it doesn't take a mathematician to see that if you want a Fit, you might want to get to your dealer earlier rather than later. [Automotive News; Sub. Req.]

Sadly, we're entering a time when tighter budgets and higher fuel costs are going to make people start hating their cars again. And they've gone and redesigned the Fit for 2009, making it a bit larger (4.2 inches longer), a tad heavier (2489 lb. with a manual vs. 2432 lb. for the old one), a dash more powerful (117 HP and 106 ft-lb of torque vs. 109 HP and 105 ft-lb) and a dollop less chunky in the midsection (less than an inch wider). So is the Fit still worthy of affection? Or is it starting to outgrow us as it grows up?

Because this car is certainly growing up. Inside, it's roomier, with head and legroom for robust full-sized people. The 60/40 split rear "Magic Seat" fits actual humans too, plus it now folds down flat to the floor with a single little lever and will let you carry, for example, a bicycle with the front wheel removed. Fold them up and you can carry houseplants or monster stereo speakers or any other lifestyle accessory. The nook-and-cranny factor has been expanded, with lots of little compartmentlets and even a small top-secret hidden stashbox under the rear seats where no one will ever find it. And it will hold the hell out of your cups, with ten receptacles provided for that purpose alone.

Outside, it looks much bigger as well, and not in a positive way. Those four inches don't sound like much, but this car looks like it could be the box the old Fit was shipped in. It's more bulbous, less of a bullpup and more of a breadvan. The front end starts out all right, with a decent grille and a large, aggressive headlight treatment, but then it just sort of, well, continues. Eventually, a rear end is achieved, apparently by default. Viewed from the front, its best angle, the effect is roughly comparable to looking at a box turtle that's been given an expensive pair of Oakley sunglasses and then polished to a high sheen. That's bad enough, but there's worse: From every other angle, it looks less like the hunkered-down old Fit and more like the box a Prius was shipped in.

Now, I'd rather drive the box a Prius was shipped in than a Prius itself, and luckily, when you're driving this car you're not looking at it. And it's really very good to drive indeed. There's just the one engine, the adequetastic 1.5 liter with kick-innable VTEC, but it's sufficient for its class. You'll want the Fit Sport with either the fun and obedient paddle-shifters or the five-speed manual, as the five-speed automatic is noteworthy for its extra gear but is, inevitably, merely decent. Its strut front/torsion-bar rear suspension may be nothing special, and the chassis may be designed more with crumpling than handling in mind, but it still goes down the road and through the turns very well, almost eagerly. On the fun roads you and your game little buddy can whip around with a abandon and build up quite a bit of speed before it starts to push, although by that time, you'll probably have noticed your bicycle and monster stereo speakers and houseplants flying about in the rear and calmed down anyway to just enjoy the view.


View enjoyment is very much a possibility, because the Fit's outward visibility is amazing, obstructed laterally by only the narrowest of pillars and interrupted overall only by the lack of an available sunroof and the continued spineless refusal of Honda, and all other cowardly automakers, to offer a glass-bottom option. The view in front is a bit spoiled by the business of the instruments, which feature abundant blue LEDs at important marks on the dials such as every ten MPH or every thousand RPM and so on. Further along the dash, there's also a USB-capable 160-watt stereo, which is nice, and an optional navigation system in the Fit Sport's Navi package, which is rather poorly integrated but functional and, sadly, also the only way to get stability control. But everyone gets an odometer that now doubles as a fuel economy meter which, happily, is almost always full of good news.

That good news is 28/35 miles per gallon for the automatic version and 27/33 for the manual and the Fit Sport. That's for all real-world purposes the same as the last model, even with a few more horsepower—Your pal doesn't want you spending lots of money. And the trusty Fit is now a ULEV-II vehicle, which means it's better at cleaning up after itself; in fact, Honda says they now use less nastiness such as PVCs and hexavalent chromium and demon bile and chloride and so on to build the Fit, so that when it finally stops running after about 300 years, the parts that aren't recycled can evidently, if I'm interpreting Honda's press kit correctly, be made into a delicious and healthy blueberry-wheatgrass smoothie.

So it's more capacious, just as economical, greenier, and still pretty fun to drive. No, it's certainly not pretty, and right now shopping for one can be downright ugly, with demand forcing poor unfortunate dealers to ask for large premiums above the MSRP, no doubt against their will. But since Honda aims to give people 85,000 Fits over the next year, pricing could very well fall back into line. That would pit it against the Yaris, a slightly more powerful but softer and more wallowy car; the Versa, a car for people for whom driving is something to get over with as soon as possible, unless that means driving quickly; and the Scion xD, a kit car built by Toyota marketers in their spare time as a clumsy way of bonding with their tweenaged children.

The Fit, though, is an actual automobile, aimed not just at people who want a first car, but people who want a good car that just happens to start at $14,550. If it turns out to be the kind of car you can be friends with, so much the better. These days, cars need all the friends they can get.

Sadly, we're entering a time when tighter budgets and higher fuel costs are going to make people start hating their cars again. And they've gone and redesigned the Fit for 2009, making it a bit larger (4.2 inches longer), a tad heavier (2489 lb. with a manual vs. 2432 lb. for the old one), a dash more powerful (117 HP and 106 ft-lb of torque vs. 109 HP and 105 ft-lb) and a dollop less chunky in the midsection (less than an inch wider). So is the Fit still worthy of affection? Or is it starting to outgrow us as it grows up? Happily, yes and no. Rest assured the 2009 Fit would never desert you, and be sure and read the full review of your new best buddy tomorrow afternoon — when the 2009 Corvette ZR1 doesn't get in the way. For now, have fun with the press release.

All-new 2009 Honda Fit Big on Style and Refinement, Small on Price and Fuel Consumption
Pricing starts at $14,550 with A/C, AM/FM CD player and power windows; EPA fuel economy(1) up to 35 mpg highway

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug 19, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — The completely-redesigned 2009 Honda Fit is set to go on sale August 26 with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price(2) (MSRP) starting at $14,550, plus a destination and handling charge of $670, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Fit Sport, equipped with additional premium features, is also set to debut with a starting MSRP(2) of $16,060, plus destination and handling.
The Fit is designed to lead the subcompact segment with a quality feel and a multi-functional interior. The Fit has become more refined for 2009 with a sportier demeanor through improved suspension, steering and body rigidity enhancements; an improved rear Magic Seat(R); and a high level of standard safety equipment, including the addition of the Advanced Compatibility Engineering(TM) (ACE(TM)) body structure and front seat active head restraints. A new, more powerful 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine further improves the Fit's high-revving, fun-to-drive character.
"With the all-new Fit, Honda is offering premium features and advanced technology within a high-function, small vehicle package," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "Customers who choose the Fit are choosing superior refinement and premium quality, along with value and economy."
Dimensionally compact on the outside with an overall length of 161.6 inches, the interior provides a surprisingly spacious passenger volume of 90.8 cubic feet and a rear cargo volume of 20.6 cubic feet. The seats offer multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations — tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode — in addition to the standard five-passenger mode.
An improved rear Magic Seat provides one-motion dive-down functionality without having to remove the rear seat head restraints to folds flat into the floor, creating a rear cargo volume of 57.3 cubic feet. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all models.
The engine produces 117 horsepower at 6600 rpm and 106 lb-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard and a 5-speed automatic transmission is available. Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters allow for manual gear selection on the Fit Sport equipped with the available automatic transmission. The Fit equipped with the available automatic transmission achieves an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) city/highway fuel economy rating(1) of 28/35 miles per gallon. The Fit with a manual transmission and Fit Sport with either a manual or the available automatic transmission achieve an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating(1) of 27/33 miles per gallon.
The Fit comes with standard amenities such as air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, MP3/WMA playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS), auxiliary audio input jack, power windows, power mirrors and power door locks. The Fit Sport adds alloy wheels, an underbody aero kit, rear roofline spoiler, fog lights, security system with keyless remote entry and cruise control. The Fit Sport audio system provides six speakers, a five-mode equalizer and a USB Audio Interface(3).
For the first time, the Fit is available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(4) with Voice Recognition on the Fit Sport, featuring a 6.5-inch screen and more than 7 million points of interest. Models equipped with the navigation system also include Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)), also known as electronic stability control.
The front MacPherson strut suspension and torsion beam rear suspension settings are tuned to provide a sporty, solid and dynamic driving experience. Upgraded by 1-inch on each model, larger 15- and 16-inch wheels (Fit and Fit Sport respectively) are shod with 175/65 R15 84S (Fit) and 185/55 R16 83H (Fit Sport) tires. The standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) with electronic brake distribution (EBD) uses 10.3-inch ventilated discs in the front and 7.9-inch drums in the rear.

2009 Honda Fit Pricing

Fit Transmission MSRP(2) City/Hwy./Combined(1)

5-Speed Manual $14,550 27/33/29
5-Speed Automatic $15,350 28/35/31

Fit Sport Transmission MSRP(2) City/Hwy./Combined(1)

5-Speed Manual $16,060 27/33/29
5-Speed Automatic $16,910 27/33/30

Fit Sport with Transmission MSRP(2) City/Hwy./Combined(1)
Navigation

5-Speed Manual $17,910 27/33/29
5-Speed Automatic $18,760 27/33/30

Additional media information and high-resolution photography is available at http://www.hondanews.com.

(1) Based on 2009 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel economy
methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only.
Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary
depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

(2) MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $670.00 destination charge
and options. Dealer prices may vary.

(3) The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control
of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that
contain MP3, WMA or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security
software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see
your dealer for details on compatibility.

(4) Certain functions that rely on a satellite signal will not work
correctly in Hawaii and Alaska. These functions include but are not
limited to automatic clock updates and time zone adjustments.

SOURCE American Honda

Photo Credit: Dean Chandler

This isn't the only major hybrid vehicle forthcoming from the automaker. In addition to the hybrid Fit and Civic hybrid, the company plans to release a low-emission race car and a Prius-challening vehicle. Though it may be a silent killer, we look forward to the happy face the Fit will put on mechanized death, and at a reported premium of only $2,000. [Source: AutoNews (Subs. Req.)]

All-new 2009 Honda Fit Introduces New Realm of Refinement to Subcompact Class New Fit further refines interior functionality, enhances sporty feel, and adds safety features

NEW YORK, March 19, 2008 - The all-new 2009 Honda Fit, set to go on sale in the U.S. this fall, is making its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Fit promises to further its leadership in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, including an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™; improved interior functionality, including one-motion dive-down rear seats; enhanced sporty demeanor through improved suspension, steering and body rigidity; and high levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure.
"Critics and customers alike have voted the Fit among the best small vehicles on the road," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "This new Fit raises the bar even further, taking what was already great about the Fit, making it even better and throwing in a healthy dose of refinement."

Enhanced Comfort and Convenience
Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides surprisingly large passenger and class-leading cargo space to maximize comfort and utility. At the foundation is an improved rear Magic Seat‚, now featuring one-motion dive-down functionality, which allows the rear seat to fold flat with the front seats in the rearmost slide position and without removing the rear headrests. The seats offer multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations (Tall Object Mode, Long Object Mode and Utility Mode) in addition to the standard five-passenger mode. Additionally, a new hidden storage bin under the rear seat delivers a place to store small items.
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Adding further refinement, Fit Sport will now offer an available factory-installed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with Voice Recognition, featuring a 6.5-inch screen. Also, all Fit Sport models will feature a USB audio interface compatible with current generation iPods® and many USB storage devices.
"The goal is to provide entry-level vehicle customers with functionality and refinement that's a class above," said Colliver. "Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise."

Fun to Drive
The Fit will feature a new 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, i-VTEC™ engine coupled to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available, segment-unique, 5-speed automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport. The new engine will offer the best balance of fuel economy and power.
Larger 15-inch and 16-inch (Fit Sport) wheels hint at enhancements to the Fit's suspension, steering and body rigidity, which are intended to produce sportier handling without sacrificing comfort.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment
The Fit will add Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology, available Electronic Stability Control and active head restraints, to a top-of-class list of standard safety features. With Fit's adoption of ACE, more than 94 percent of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. will include the innovative body structure. With its availability in the new Fit, VSA will now be available in the lineup of every model Honda sells in the United States. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts.
Standard active safety equipment will include anti-lock braking system (ABS), with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD). Additionally, front and rear visibility has been improved.
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More detailed information about the 2009 Honda Fit will be released closer to the vehicle launch in the fall.

That's been confirmed by Executive Veep of American Honda, Dick Colliver. who tells us today "The all-new Honda Fit will reconfirm that small can in fact be big." Who knew he meant the grille, right?

The second-gen Fit has been a success, garnering more than 20,000 orders in the first two weeks of sale. Honda plans to sell at least 12,000 a month in Japan, plus an untold amount in Europe and North America. This is the second COTY win for the Honda Fit. [Reuters]

Press Release:

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.