This post has been updated with official pictures here. With the advent of Honda Fit, came along the small compact global platform from Honda and with it, a slew of Fit inspired cars all shape and size. Now that the 2nd generation Honda Fit is rolling out across the globe, Honda venerable Fit based entry size sedan, the City is also due for a redesign. Although the details are sketchy, a forum member of Team-BHP India has pictures of a camouflaged car that is claimed to be the 4th generation Honda City in India. Witty comments and more information of when it will be released, after the click. Continue reading
Tag Archives: fit-aria
Honda Freed Complete Review
With the ever rising global oil price, Honda finally unveils a minivan to answer the global demand for a people mover which adheres to current global energy crisis. Entering the compact minivan, on 29th of May 2008, Honda of Japan unveils its latest addition to the compact minivan car category, the curiously named Freed. A review from information established on a website might be corny, but you will find a lot of enlightening facts, especially if you can’t read Japanese Kanji. So, a complete paper review based and witty comments from yours truly, after the click. Continue reading
Let’s Talk About The New Fit Engine
As I have noted previously on the new Fit engine, a recent review from asia.vtec.net has proved that I am dead wrong about the speculation of the new engine used in the new Fit. I mentioned about the Fit’s engine uses dual sequential ignition system coupled with VTEC cam changing mechanism… As it is reviewed… Apparently the new Fit engine make do with single ignition system.
My assumption was stemmed from the new Fit 1.3L engine torque curve which maxed out at 2800 rpm (the same as the outgoing 1.3L i-DSI engine), and flat lined with tendency to dip. However at 3200 rpm the torque shoots up again until it reaches 5100 rpm, most likely attributed to the change of hotter cam profile, a proof of VTEC mechanism applied. However, as I have noted, the engine uses a single ignition system… And I can only say… WHAT THE @#)(*&^%$! HONDA!! Why can’t you use this system since day 1??!! I’m upset because as an i-DSI Fit owner, the 1.3L I-VTEC is like a dream engine, high torque at low rpm but can spins high and produce more power. The outgoing 1.3L i-DSI engine only produces 86hp, 14hp less than the new engine with the same fuel consumption.
The new 1.3L I-VTEC achieves power and frugality similar to the outgoing engine because it employs valve deactivation system… I’ll quit the technical mumbo jumbo, and go straight to the point. When the 1.3L engine is cruising it runs on 12 valve, while running hot (accelerating), the full 16 valve goes into action. Just what VTEC was intended, frugal low speed and cruise speed, while power can be achieved at wide open throttle condition
The new 1.5L I-VTEC produces a good 120ps, the highest naturally aspirated production 1.5L power output on any car in Japan. This number I assumed came from a “chipped” 110ps old VTEC engine… And again I am dead wrong. The old 1.5L VTEC uses valve deactivation system that is now used on the new 1.3L I-VTEC. Replacing that system is a full 16 valve that unlike found on the 1.3L version is that the 1.5L changes the valve timing and it also employs a cam changing system. While the 1.3L valve deactivation system is intended for low speed/cruising speed as the engine allow it, the 1.5L is designed for all out performance. Because the 1.5L only changes the valve timing, it is faster at generating torque across the rpm range, no flat line or dip in the torque curve like the 1.3L engine because it takes a bit time in activating the valve.
I really don’t know what I’m talking about here except for the 1.3L I-VTEC engine… After all, aside from marketing and general Honda stuff, I’m clueless… (Well, I have some more qualification but I don’t want to brag). More clear information can be read on asia.vtec.net website provided below.
Honda CEO 2007 Year End Speech… The Interesting Part
So, it’s that time of the year again, when everything has come to an end and people at Honda can breathe slightly, before the new year starts that is. As usual, the head honcho at Honda befall his year end speech, and here are the most interesting part of that speech:
- There will be four (4) new cars released next year in Japan, I assume this will be cars based on the newly released Fit platform. So that means new Fit-Aria (Fit sedan), new Mobilio, new Life, and might be new Accord Euro. I bet at least two of my prediction will come to fruition.
- A new “unified cars logo”? eh? unified what? The H logo has been the same to me for every Honda I saw… Probably just size changes, you know, there’s small logo on the Fit, and big ass logo such as those on the Honda Legend or Ridgeline. Honda wanted to make it same size everywhere… probably.
- Honda Pilot prototype at 2008 North American International Auto Show (January).
- Accord Euro will be released in Europe by March 2008, that’s right, Acura TSX!!! Will it come with turbo? We’ll see.
- New diesel technology will be introduced with Accord Euro launching, the I-DTEC, replacing the old I-CTDI. North America will receive the engine in 2009… Hold on to your horses boys, I know you wanted diesel from Honda for the longest time.
- FCX Clarity wil be available for “rent” starting 2008 in America… For those in the not know, it is Honda first functional, practical, cool, upscale, futuristic looking hydrogen car.
- A new dedicated Acura development facility will be introduced in 2009 and will be in full operation by 2010… Honda is trying hard to separate Honda and Acura before, but the obvious rebadging hurts the more expensive brand (Acura). With this, it is hoped that Acura will have its own products, miles high than the Honda products, unlike the today Acura RL/Honda Legend, Acura TSX/Honda Accord Euro thingie.
- New 100cc bike to be introduced in 2008 using fuel injection that is 15% more efficient, more powerful and cheaper to produce (the engine). In Asia, especially Indonesia, Honda receive its biggest revenue by selling <150cc bikes. Probably this 100cc bike will be introduced in Indonesia first.
And that’s that, the rest is just mumbo jumbo about increased sales and other heartening facts about Honda increased performance throughout 2007. For me, 2007 is a dry season for Honda, globally this year Honda only launch Accord + Fit and no Acura news while Lexus has spread its wing to Indonesia. There are some news floating around, mostly written by American journalists about how Acura is struggling. Well… Actually they only need to change two sedans, the RL and TSX, because MDX, RDX, and TL is already Acura exclusive (not taken from Honda product line). However, one couldn’t change market perception, and while Acura is still rebadging Honda products, people couldn’t associate Acura as luxury because well… Luxury is unique. I’ll do a write up about Acura Vs Honda in the near future.