The newest models and concepts are often the headliners for car shows. Other cars often simply fall off the radar. This is the case of the Honda Fit, a small car that will undergo several major changes for the 2015 model year.
First, while the silhouette has been redesigned, the car retains it's familiar look. It lost 26 kg during the redesign, even though the platform was stretched 1.2 inches. Honda has managed to reduce the length of the Fit, while providing 4.8 inches of extra legroom for rear passengers. This is almost 11 percent more space for passengers, despite reducing the car's body dimensions by 0.5 percent. With the seats folded, the cargo space has been slightly decreased from 57.3 to 52.7 cubic feet. It's still on par with certain crossovers, namely the Jeep Patriot, which is nearly 23 percent bigger.
Learn more
Details are beginning to emerge on the 2015 Honda Fit Hybrid. Racking up the best fuel economy numbers among Japanese hybrids, people are getting more interested in the Honda Fit Hybrid, especially with it's recent 35 percent bump in fuel economy numbers. The Honda Fit has always had a following, somewhat unusual in it's segment. It's always been innovative; remember those accordion-style folding seats? and the 2015 Honda Fit Hybrid is no exception. It's the first Honda hybrid with Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD), which consists of a 7-speed dual clutch mated to a 22-kw electric motor. The dual clutch transmission in this car can completely uncouple the gas motor from the electric, permitting the car to be driven in electric-only mode. It's part of Honda's Earth Dreams line-up of next generation powertrains, meant to develop better gas mileage results. An Intelligent Power Unit with a lithium-ion battery is also in place. The Fit's regenerative braking system also works to improve fuel economy.
Learn more
Automotive companies in the US have been told that they need to sell more electric vehicles, so companies like Honda are offering exceptional deals on their leases in order to push their EV sales numbers higher. Honda has slashed the lease rate of it's Fit EV by one third to $259 per month in the U.S. down from $389 per month. They're even applying the new rate to existing leases. The three year lease terms include bonuses like no money down, unlimited mileage, free routine maintenance, collision insurance and a free 240 volt home charging station. Hoping to boost sluggish electric car sales, automotive companies are slashing lease prices on their EVs and throwing in extra goodies. Citing factors such as range anxiety, few public charging stations and rising U.S. oil production resulting in stable pump prices, consumers have been reluctant to switch to electric vehicles.
Learn more
The 2024 Acura Integra Type S sedan will be rated at 320 hp of output, the Japanese automaker has confirmed. That's five more than the Honda Civic Type R offers.
Learn more