Honda's third generation Fit seen as benchmark

GAC-Honda unveiled its third generation Honda Fit in Shanghai and announced suggested retail prices on May 29. The A0 class hatchback has received more than 6,300 preorders since April 19.

"More than 1,000 orders have been placed through the GAC-Honda TMall store, since it opened on May 8. The new Fit also set an e-commerce record for automakers," said Xia Xianqing, GAC-Honda's deputy general manager.

The new Fit is built to appeal to customers below 20, as they are a group seeking the latest trends.

Powered by Honda's latest Earth Dreams Technology powertrain, the new Fit comprises an all-new 1.5-liter direct injection Double Overhead Camshaft (DOHC) intelligent-Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) engine, and an all-new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) transmission. The DOHC i-VTEC engine has its highest output of 96 kW at 6,600 per minute, and the peak torque of 155 Nm occurs at 4,600 rpm. The newest CVT gearbox makes fuel consumption as low as 5.3 liters each 100 km.

"The 1.5-liter engine and the all-new CVT transmission ensure the strongest powerful output among the same class. It also realizes the most economic fuel efficiency," said Yu Jun, GAC Honda executive deputy general manager.

The new Fit is equipped with Honda's 10 latest technologies including a mobile phone communication system, energy saving Idel-stop engine control system, one-press start system, Exiting H Design, rear view camera and display, Vehicle Stability Assistant system (VSA) and Emergency Stop Signal system (ESS).

Honda has enlarged interior space. The car length is now 4,065 mm, 165 mm longer than the earlier model, while the wheelbase is extended to 2,530 mm from 2,500 mm.

GAC-Honda offers the third-generation Fit in five options, all powered by 1.5-liter engine, with the suggested retail price starting from 73,800 yuan for the manual transmission version. The CVT version starts from 81,800 yuan and with a top price of 112,800 yuan.

"We expect the Honda Fit to be the benchmark model among all the A0 class hatchbacks in the Chinese market. We launch this model to meet the mobility demands of Chinese born after 1985, and it will exceed their expectation," Yu said.