Honda Fit Hybrid
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The Fit is a 5-seat hatchback automobile manufactured by Honda. It was first introduced in Japan as the Jazz for 2001. Honda began offering it here in America, as the Fit, for the 2007 model year. The Fit Hybrid would fill a gap left in the Honda hybrid lineup with the demise of the Insight
The similarities between the Insight and the Fit Hybrid are expected to be many. The wheelbase of the Fit is a mere two inches greater than the Insight. The Fit Hybrid is rumoredto receive a stronger version of the Insight's 1.0L engine. Acceleration will be identical to the Insight's as the improved Hybrid powertrain will be lugging the additional seven hundred or so pounds of curb weight wrapped around the Fit Hybrid bodystyle. The powertrain has been proven in the Insight model run. Fuel economy expectations are low to mid-50 MPG. The Fit Hybrid could be viewed as a more practical five-door version of the Honda Insight.
The Fit pairs an updated and improved three-cylinder gasoline engine developed originally for the Insight, with a brushless electric motor located on the crankshaft. Behind the rear seats there is a set of 144 V NiMH batteries in an underfloor tray. Under heavy acceleration, the electric motor provides additional power while during deceleration, the motor acts as a generator and recharges the batteries using a process called regenerative braking. A computer control module regulates how much power comes from the internal combustion engine and electric motor, to find the optimal combination of power or effeciency from the driver inputs. The current battery charge is shown on the dashboard, as is the instantaneous fuel efficiency and current state of the electric motor, whether it is assisting the engine or charging the batteries. Many of these features, are expected to be updated and further refined for use in the Fit Hybrid.
While the emphasis has been placed on economy, Honda engineers did not want to lose any of the practicality that makes the regular Fit appealing to buyers. This meant that the Hybrid system would have to be as compact as possible.
See WikiCars' comprehensive Honda Fit
Pricing
The Fit Hybrid is expected to be placed atop the Fit Sport to round out the model line-up. A reasonable premium over the regular Fit would be between $2000-3000. MSRP of the Fit Sport is $15,170 which does not include a $550 delivery fee, giving it a base price of $15,720. It would be reasonable to expect a Fit Hybrid MSRP ranging from $17,000 to $19,000.
