Honda Reveals Details on Euro-Spec Jazz

Honda has released details on the European specification Jazz that will make its first European show appearance in Paris this October with sales following in early November. The European version of the Fit (see details here) will be offered with two new 4-cylinder petrol units, a 90 PS 1.2-litre and a 100 PS 1.4-litre i-VTEC.

Offering 90 PS compared to the 78 PS of its predecessor at a slightly higher 6,000 rpm and torque up from 110 to 114 Nm, the entry-level 1.2-litre engine that’s matted to a 5-speed manual gearbox offers a combined fuel economy of 5.1 l/100km (46.1 MPG US), down from 5.5 l/100km, while CO2 emissions are also improved, reduced from 129 to 120 g/km. -Continued

Compared to the 1.4-liter i-DSI unit in the outgoing Jazz that produced 83 PS and 119 Nm of torque, the new 1.4-litre i-VTEC engine develops 100 PS and 127 Nm of torque. As well as a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 1.4-litre engine can be teamed up with Honda's new 6-speed automated manual i-SHIFT transmission that replaces the previous CVT (continuously variable transmission).

Despite the power increase and the fact that the new Jazz is slightly larger than its predecessor, Honda says that combined fuel economy is now 5.3 l/100km (44.3 MPG US) for the 5-speed manual model (down from 5.8 l/100km) and an even better 5.1 l/100km when equipped with the i-SHIFT semi-automated manual transmission (5.9 l/100km for the previous 1.4-litre CVT). Accordingly, CO2 output drops to 124 and 120 g/km, respectively (down from 137 and 139 g/km).

Mugen Honda Freed: Jazz/Fit Minivan Sport Package

As with every model that comes out of Honda’s factory, the Japanese carmaker’s official tuning arm has presented a sport package for the Freed that was officially introduced on May 29 (see details here). Mugen’s offerings for the minivan version of the Fit / Jazz hatch include a full bodykit, silver or dark 16-inch alloy wheels and a sport silencer along with a more powerful brake system. –Image gallery after the jump

2009 Honda Freed: 5-8 Seater Minivan Version of Jazz / Fit

Unveiled today in Tokyo, Japan, the Freed is Honda’s newest proposition in the compact minivan class. The Freed, whose name was coined from the word “freedom, is based on the new 2009 Jazz / Fit. While the Freed retains the same width as the Jazz / Fit at 1,695 mm, it’s longer (4,215 mm vs 3,900 mm), higher (1,715 mm vs 1,525 mm) and it also features an extended wheelbase measuring 2,740 mm in length (vs 2,500 mm).

Honda will offer three different variants the Freed in Japan: a seven-passenger edition featuring captain’s seats in the second row; an eight-passenger version and a five-passenger type which offers a large cargo space. It goes without saying that all versions feature amenities like split/folding seats. All three variants of the Freed are also equipped with sliding rear doors on either side of the vehicle. Also available with each variation are power sliding doors that open and close easily for added convenience. -Continued

In Japan, the Freed will be offered in front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants, both of which are equipped with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that delivers an output of 120Hp. For the time being, it remains unclear whether or not the Freed will find its way out of the Japanese market.

2009 Honda Freed: Jazz – Fit Minivan to be Unveiled on May 29

Turns out that all those rumors surrounding the Freed were actually true as we found out that Honda will officially take the wraps off the all-new Jazz / Fit based minivan next Thursday, on May 29, 2008. Earlier reports suggested that the Freed will be able to accommodate eight passengers in three rows of seats, but we’ll have to wait and see. As for the engine range, don’t expect any surprises as the Freed will most probably be offered with the same units found in the new Jazz – Fit. Sales of the Freed will begin in Japan shortly after its public unveiling.

Honda Airwave Tweaked by Mugen

The Honda Airwave is essentially a station-wagon version of the previous generation Fit / Jazz that’s sold exclusively in the Japanese market. Even if the Airwave isn’t your typical tuner’s car, nevertheless Mugen has released a new sport package for Honda’s subcompact station model.

Buyers can choose from a wide variety of accessories that include an aerodynamic bodykit, several different 15-inch alloy designs and interior enhancements along with suspension and brake system upgrades. Click through for more images.

Honda Readying 8-Passenger Version of Fit / Jazz?

These renderings depicting an 8-passenger variant of the new Honda Jazz / Fit were scanned from an unknown Japanese car magazine which supports that the car will be called Freed. Based on a stretched version of the Fit /Jazz, platform, the Freed is said to be able to seat 5 to 8 passengers, depending on the seat configuration.

The magazine also supports that the Fit / Jazz minivan will be powered by a 118 Hp 1.5-liter engine matted to a CVT transmission. Well, as they say, seeing is believing so we'll be wary until we actually see production pics of the alleged “Freed”. –More pics after the jump

Via: Winding Road , Source: Le Blog Auto

2009 Honda Fit Makes US Debut at New York Show

Set to go on sale in the US this fall, the new Honda Fit -also known as the Jazz in Europe and other markets, made its North American debut today at the New York Auto Show. The new Fit is slightly bigger than the current model with the overall length increased by 2.2-inches, the width by 0.8-inches and the wheelbase by 2.0-inches. This means that Honda's compact hatch will provide even better interior space while maintaining its predecessor's functionality.

In the US, the 2009 Fit will be offered with a new 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine matted to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. More details on the new Fit will be announced closer to the vehicle's launch this fall. (Pic edited by Carscoop) Click through for the image gallery

PRESS RELEASE

The all-new 2009 Honda Fit, set to go on sale in the U.S. this fall, is making its U.S. debut at the New York International Auto Show, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today. The Fit promises to further its leadership in the subcompact segment with top-of-class feature content, including an available Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System; improved interior functionality, including one-motion dive-down rear seats; enhanced sporty demeanor through improved suspension, steering and body rigidity; and high levels of standard safety equipment, including Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure.

"Critics and customers alike have voted the Fit among the best small vehicles on the road," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "This new Fit raises the bar even further, taking what was already great about the Fit, making it even better and throwing in a healthy dose of refinement."

Enhanced Comfort and Convenience

Dimensionally compact on the outside, the interior provides surprisingly large passenger and class-leading cargo space to maximize comfort and utility. At the foundation is an improved rear Magic Seat, now featuring one-motion dive-down functionality, which allows the rear seat to fold flat with the front seats in the rearmost slide position and without removing the rear head restraints. The seats offer multiple seating and cargo-carrying configurations (tall object mode, long object mode and utility mode) in addition to the standard five-passenger mode. Additionally, a new hidden storage bin under the driver's side rear seat provides a place to store small items.

Adding further refinement, Fit Sport offers an available factory-installed Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Voice Recognition, featuring a 6.5-inch screen. All Fit Sport models feature a USB audio interface compatible with current generation iPods and many USB storage devices.

"The goal is to provide entry-level vehicle customers with functionality and refinement that's a class above," said Colliver. "Buying a Fit is a choice, not a compromise."

Fun to Drive

The Fit features a new 1.5-literi-VTEC 4-cylinder engine connected to either a 5-speed manual transmission or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, which includes steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Fit Sport. The new engine is designed to offer the best balance of fuel economy and power. Larger 15-inch and 16-inch (Fit Sport) wheels hint at enhancements to the Fit's suspension, steering and body rigidity, which are intended to produce sportier handling without sacrificing comfort.

Top-of-Class Standard Safety Equipment

The 2009 Fit adds Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure technology, available Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) and active head restraints, to a top-of-class list of standard safety features. With Fit's adoption of ACE, more than 94 percent of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. will include the innovative body structure. When introduced to the 2009 Fit, VSA will be available in the lineup of every model Honda sells in the United States. Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags, dual front-side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) and side-curtain airbags are standard equipment on all Fit models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts. Additionally, front and rear visibility is improved.

Standard active safety equipment includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), with ventilated discs in the front and drums in the back, and electronic brake distribution (EBD).