Honda Begins Sales of All-New Fit and Fit Hybrid in Japan
08 October 2010
|
|
| Layout of the system components in the Fit Hybrid. Click to enlarge. |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has begun sales in Japan of a newly refreshed Fit (Jazz in other markets) model together with the all-new Fit Hybrid, a new addition to the Fit lineup. The Fit Hybrid will be offered at the starting price of ¥1.59 million yen (US$19,400), making it the most affordable Honda hybrid. Honda had unveiled the Jazz Hybrid at the 2010 Paris Motor Show last week; the Jazz Hybrid will go on sale in some European markets in the early part of 2011.
The Fit Hybrid features the same IMA system as in the Insight hybrid, using the same 1.3 liter i-VTEC engine as its dedicated hybrid model sibling. Like the Insight and Civic Hybrid models, the Fit Hybrid is capable of running on the electric motor alone under some medium- and low-speed conditions.
|
|
| Cutaway of the 1.3-liter engine and motor. Click to enlarge. |
The powertrain consists of a 1.3-liter aluminum alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT, with the fifth generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system. The IMA system includes a 10 kW (13 hp) electric motor that delivers 68 lb-ft (92 N·m) of torque and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) consisting of a 5.75 Ah, 100.8V NiMH battery pack, Power Control Unit (PCU), motor Electric Control Unit (ECU), and cooling system.
The IPU (Intelligent Power Unit)—comprising the PCU (Power Control Unit) and a battery—for the hybrid system is located under the rear cargo area, enabling the Fit Hybrid to share the same flexible seating configurations as the rest of the lineup without sacrificing interior comfort. Under Japan’s 10-15 cycle, the Fit Hybrid has fuel economy of 30 km/liter (70.6 mpg US, 3.33 L/100km).
|
|
| |
| The Fit Hybrid IPU. Click to enlarge. | Packaging of the IPU in the Insight (left) and Fit Hybrid (right).. Click to enlarge. |
The Fit Hybrid offers Honda’s Eco Assist (Ecological Drive Assist System) to help drivers achieve more fuel efficient driving. (Earlier post.)
Since the introduction of Fit in June 2001, cumulative sales in Japan reached the 1.5 million-unit mark in September 2010. Fit is currently produced at ten production plants in eight countries/regions including Japan and is sold in approximately 115 countries. Cumulative global sales exceeds 3.5 million units. Honda is targeting 14,000 units per month of the Fit and Fit Hybrid in Japan.
Honda is very good at packaging a lot of parts in a very small place.
The regular Fit is a very good affordable small city car and the Hybrid version is probably going to be even better, but the much higher price may not favor sales.
Posted by: HarveyD | 08 October 2010 at 09:45 AM
The Prius may now have a worthy opponent. At $2400 less expensive than the Prius and better gas mileage, it has some advantages. I would be interested to see if the driving experience is similar. The Prius is definitely not underpowered. I don't know about the hybrid FIT.
Posted by: TM | 08 October 2010 at 09:52 AM
TM,
In the same Japanese test cycle, Prius is rated 94 MPG.
Posted by: usbseawolf2000 | 08 October 2010 at 01:25 PM
And apart from that, the Prius and Fit/Jazz appeal to different demographics. They are each fishing in their own pond.
Posted by: Arne | 08 October 2010 at 01:54 PM
The future mini-Prius may compare to the Fit Hybrid.
Posted by: HarveyD | 08 October 2010 at 03:01 PM
Honda are very conservative in both fuel use and the ratio of electric to mechanical, but that may not be a bad thing. Definately a progressive improvement over the previous offerings.
Next step = more generator/ e-motor and further ice downsizing.
Posted by: Arnold | 08 October 2010 at 07:53 PM
lol, a worthy competitor! on top of the comment by usbseawolf, look at those specs! A 10 kW electric motor? what a joke. the vectrix scooter has a motor which more than twice as powerful.
Posted by: lensovet | 09 October 2010 at 03:54 AM
Like the Insight, it's under powered and why bother with only 10 kw/13hp electric expense?
Posted by: kelly | 09 October 2010 at 09:30 AM
Without having seen or driven this new car, you've convinced me, the Prius rules! The 2010 version is actually much better than the previous model years. Going through mountainous regions, the battery -never- drains as the 2006-2009 model yrs did. I also can not feel the back and forth hand-off of the electric motor and the gas motor as I could with the prior generation Prius, it is also quieter. The turning radius is awesome. The "sport" mode enables you to punch the accelerator and GO. (no Telsa, but what is?) Furthermore, sitting in the back seat is considered choice seating because of the roominess for reading/working on laptops, etc.
Posted by: TM | 09 October 2010 at 10:09 AM
TM.
"The turning radius is awesome."
Surely you meant to write 'awful'?
Posted by: Arne | 10 October 2010 at 03:32 AM
Anne, no the Prius' turning radius is awesome.
Posted by: TM | 10 October 2010 at 12:38 PM
Why advertise it at the 10-15 driving cycle, which has been replaced by a more realistic JC08? Judging from the difference between the 10-15 Prius mileage and its respective EPA mileage, the Fit Hybrid might be around 40 mpg EPA cycle combined.
A 13 hp motor is intended as a boost to the 1.3L engine, not primary motive force on the highway, and the full 13 hp is available from 0 rpm, quite different than an ICE.
One hiccup in Honda's approach has been to purposely avoid a more sophisticated hybrid solution like Toyota's until just recently. Simplicity has it's benefits, but the IMA solution does not lend itself to a plug-in evolution. So they will have to play catch up, limping along with the Insight and hybrid Fit in the meantime. The original Insight was a game-changer in a number of aspects, and is still the highest mpg per EPA test.
Since they have a motorcycle line, they could break open the market there with something similar to the X-Tracer or Allert Jacobs 200 mpg Honda motorcycle.
Posted by: Will S | 11 October 2010 at 07:10 AM
Anne: Prius turning radius is 34.2 feet (with 15" tires)
Fit turning radius is…34.4 feet.
yeah.
see http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/specs.html and http://automobiles.honda.com/fit/specifications.aspx
Posted by: lensovet | 11 October 2010 at 11:33 PM