Honda begins sales of new Fit Shuttle and Fit Shuttle Hybrid in Japan; same fuel economy as smaller Fit
16 June 2011
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| Fit Shuttle Hybrid. Click to enlarge. |
Honda’s all-new Fit Shuttle and Fit Shuttle Hybrid are now on sale in Japan. The compact station wagons leverage the advanced packaging technologies that Honda developed for the Fit.
The Fit Shuttle features a 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and offers fuel economy of 18.6 km/liter (44 mpg US, 5.4 L/100km) as measured in JC08 mode and 20 km/liter (47 mpg US, 5.0 L/100km) as measured in 10·15 mode—the same as the Fit. The Fit Shuttle Hybrid features Honda’s 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine plus IMA (Integrated Motor Assist), and offers fuel economy of 25.0 km/liter (59 mpg US, 4.0L/100km) as measured in JC08 mode and 30 km/liter (71 mpg US, 3.33 L/100km) as measured in 10·15 mode—the same as the Fit Hybrid.
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| Despite the greater weight, the Fit Shuttle Hybrid matches the fuel economy of the Fit. Click to enlarge. |
In both the Fit Shuttle and the Fit Shuttle Hybrid, engine friction, front brake drag and other types of resistance have been minimized, resulting in enhanced fuel economy. When the hybrid models cruise on motor power alone, the fuel pump and ignition system shut down, resulting in reduced energy losses and even more sophisticated hybrid system control.
In the Fit Shuttle models with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a torque converter helps provide strong off-the-line acceleration, and the CVT ratio control has been finely tuned to deliver a refined acceleration feel.
Hybrid models feature Eco Assist (Ecological Drive Assist System), which helps the driver engage in fuel-efficient driving practices; all models feature ECON Mode for additional support of real-world fuel economy.
The Fit Shuttle offers a combined 590 liters of cargo space above and below the floor. The Fit Shuttle Hybrid offers the same cabin space as the Fit Shuttle, as well as cargo capacity of 517 liters. By enhancing the IPU (Intelligent Power Unit) layout in the Fit Shuttle Hybrid, Honda achieved a flat and low cargo area.
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| Fit Shuttle Hybrid chassis. Click to enlarge. | Layout of the Fit Shuttle Hybrid components. Click to enlarge. |
All models are certified by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as complying with the 2005 - 75% emissions standard. The 1.5-liter FWD and hybrid models are certified by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as complying with the 2010 + 25% fuel economy standard. More than 90% of the entire vehicle is recyclable.
Pricing of the Fit Shuttle starts at ¥1,610,000 (US$19,900), and the Fit Shuttle Hybrid starts at ¥1,810,000 (US$22,400). Honda’s initial sales target is 4,000 units per month.
That is a great price on the hybrid, only a $2,500 premium.
Sounds like fine progress on fuel economy too.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 June 2011 at 06:33 AM
Interesting that Fit, Prius, C-Max and other models with small minivan format come out about the same time. Maybe this is the future of personal transport.
Posted by: SJC | 16 June 2011 at 07:13 AM
@SJC, This is a great future for the family car. Very common in Europe. About 3000-3200lbs, perfect for a 2 liter turbodiesel, with room for 6-7 passengers.
Ford's cancellation of the C-Max 7 passenger for the US is very disappointing, because it would make a huge difference to have a versatile 7 passenger minivan that gets 35MPG. The Renault equivalent we drove on our last trip to Europe got 40MPG Hwy. But it is hard to get a 2.0-2.2 liter TD certified in the US, which is the optimal engine for a 3200 lb vehicle. So families that want more seating versatility have to choose between a Chrysler POS and something from Honda/Toyota that weighs 4500 lbs and gets 21 mpg in mixed driving.
This is an area where government policy, such as taxing weight or providing temporaray emissions breaks for high efficiency engines, would make a huge difference - and facilitate consumer choice.
Posted by: Dollared | 16 June 2011 at 09:14 AM
I'm very interested in the CMax plugin or hybrid as our next car when they appear next year. It would be very cool to be able to cross-shop the Fit Shuttle Hybrid...
Posted by: Nick Lyons | 16 June 2011 at 11:49 AM
Wow, the Fit Shuttle has the same fuel economy as a Fit, Shuttle hybrid has the same fuel economy of Fit hybrid by improving engine friction, front brake drag...
Posted by: Pierre | 16 June 2011 at 05:09 PM
I figure they did not offer the 7 seat in the U.S. because 7 seat shoppers shop for bigger vehicles. The Pilot and Highlander are considered at the bottom of the size range.
Posted by: SJC | 16 June 2011 at 07:45 PM
Is this a 7 seat vehicle?
Or it has/might have room for 6-7 passengers?
It looks a bit small, but maybe could pack 6-7 in ?
A vehicle with great economy that carries 5 on trips and 6 or 7 across town sounds great to me - maybe it would sell.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 17 June 2011 at 07:36 PM
Honda will sell as many (5/7 normal size passengers) hybrid version as it can produce. My wife and I would be more that satisfied with the 5 normal size passenger version.
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 June 2011 at 11:18 AM
"would be "?
Where's the commitment, Harvy?
Posted by: ToppaTom | 19 June 2011 at 08:18 AM
TT: We are still undecided between this vehicle and the Toyota Prius V or equivalent units. An extended road test may be required. Meanwhile our 2 Camrys are giving excellent service but will have to be replaced in 2012/2013 (with one polyvalent hybrid?) .
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 June 2011 at 08:51 AM
But I thought we would ALL be driving EVs real soon now?
Posted by: SJC | 19 June 2011 at 11:06 AM
Very good Harvey - but is it a 5 passenger, a 5 +2 or actually a 7 passenger car?
And you realize that by 2013 there will likely be tastier morsels out there.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 19 June 2011 at 11:12 AM
A 4-pass + adequate cargo space would do. We can wait another 2 years for improved batteries etc. Will it be a 60 mpg HEV, a 100+ mpg PHEV or a pure BEV with 350+ Km range? It depends on what will be available in 2012/2013, but it will not be one or two 15 mpg ICE gas guzzler.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 June 2011 at 06:38 PM