The Honda Fit, which debuted in 2006 as a 2007 model, has been heavily praised as among the best bargains in the automotive industry. The Fit has also been recalled more than once and has been criticized for Honda’s inability to produce better gas mileage averages for the fun-to-driver, spacious subcompact.
Honda is aware, and according to a report in the CarConnection.com, the Japanese carmaker plans to introduce a new line of more efficient, and thus, fuel-savings engines and transmissions in its cars.
The project, called Earth Dreams, will include, according to the site, a new generation of direct-injection engines, plus Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) for fuel efficiency and dual-clutch automated gearboxes for hybrids and sporty models.
The new Fit, which will likely be unveiled in the United States as a 2015 model, will feature a new 1.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine and CVT.
CarConnection’s editors were in Japan for a preview of the car and reported:
“The new engine is part of Honda’s Earth Dreams initiative for lower fuel consumption, and in addition to direct injection it employs a high-tumble port, low-tension piston rings, patterned piston coating, mass EGR, and a two-stage relief oil pump. There’s also engine idle-stop, to shut the engine off at stoplights.”
Honda hasn’t announced many additional details, but aq 10 percent improvement from the 2013 models EPA estimated of 28 mpg (city) and 35 mpg (highway) and 31 mpg (combined) is predicted.
It’s also estimated the 2015 Honda Fit could be about 15 percent quicker and offer six percent more torque. The new Fit will be manufactured in Mexico.
Article Last Updated: April 22, 2014.
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