Autoblog

Mugen-powered Honda Jazz rally car looks Fit for the purpose

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Hatchback, Honda, Australia, Off-Road, Racing

Honda took a Mugen-powered Jazz (better known as the the Fit here in the U.S.), sent it to Italy to be engineered for rallying by JAS of Milan, then flew it to Australia to be prepared for Oz's 2012 rally series. Honda's been competing in the series with Civic Type R racers for the last two years, but this year, it decided to press the Fit into service for G2 class spec.

Up front is a 245-horsepower Mugen powerplant with 142 pound-feet of torque. Honda says this "may well be the fastest Jazz in the world," and it will start challenging the six rounds of this year's championship in March with driver Eli Evans and co-driver Glen Weston. You can read about it in the press release and watch it kick up dirt in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Mugen-powered Honda Jazz rally car looks Fit for the purpose

Mugen-powered Honda Jazz rally car looks Fit for the purpose originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda "envious" of Nissan's Qashqai, ponders rival

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Nissan, UK

Honda hasn't been profitable in Europe since 2007, and would like to break the two-percent market-share barrier in the EU and Russia. To do that, it is looking at a rival to Nissan's Qashqai. Nissan's compact CUV alone outsold the entire Honda lineup in Europe in the first nine months of this year, and by no small margin: 153,079 to 105,918.

Those kinds of numbers have Honda justifiably envious of Nissan's little crossover, as apparently offering the CR-V in Europe hasn't generated the same sort of consumer response. Even so Honda's CEO, Takanobu Ito, will say nothing more than that "we are thinking about doing something like that" - a decision could still be a ways off, to say nothing of an actual production vehicle.

Nissan also has city cars like the Pixo and Micra spreading the gospel in the A-segment, and it's likely turning some of those drivers into Qashqai graduates. Likely with that in mind, the company head said they are also considering expanding the Jazz/Fit line, but a true A-segment fighter looks a long way off, with Ito saying, "maybe there will come a time when we will consider A-segment cars for Europe."

Honda "envious" of Nissan's Qashqai, ponders rival originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mugen itching to build hot Honda Fit

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Honda, UK

Mugen Honda Fit/Jazz - Click above for high-res image gallery

As the pseudo-works Honda tuner of choice, Mugen has tricked out Civic models for decades. They've also dabbled in the occasional Accord, are preparing to debut their supercharged CR-Z and have even had their way with the Ariel Atom - powered as it is by Honda engines. So what's next for Mugen? It could be the Fit.

The five-door hatchback, known in other markets as the Jazz, has received some attention from Mugen in the form of aftermarket body kits and such, but the tuning house's British garage could be looking at something a little more comprehensive, according to a fresh report from Autocar.

According to the British mag, the hot Fit's engine program could incorporate either the 2.0-liter VTEC four from the Civic Type R or the supercharged hybrid 1.5 developed for the Mugen CR-Z. Tempting options, both, but whichever way the Honda tuner goes, the likelihood is that the result won't make the trip over to these shores, anyway.

Mugen itching to build hot Honda Fit originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Fit Shuttle wagon revealed in leaked brochure?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Wagon, Japan, Honda

The Honda Fit is a hatchback that has so much interior space that it approaches small wagon status. Heck, if Honda's little B-Segment five door were just a bit longer or if its backlight were a little bit more vertical, we'd say it was a wagon. According to a report on Carscoop a vehicle with just such a description may be on the way, as an alleged leaked brochure of a Japanese market model suggests that the Fit has been stretched for even more cargo room.

Aesthetically, the JDM Fit Shuttle seen above clearly has about a foot more glass beyond the hatchback's C-Pillar, which should translate to quite a few more cubes of space. To pull that extra cargo, the brochure suggests that the Fit wagon will make do with the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder and 1.3-liter IMA hybrid that the folks in Japan already know and love. And if the brochure is legit, then the Shuttle is well on its way, at least in Japan, with a release date of March, 2011.

Will we see a Fit wagon here in the States? We have no idea, but at the same time, we're not very hopeful. After all, Honda still hasn't blessed us with the Fit hybrid, and as much as we'd like to see it in the States, we would need some convincing to believe that such a model would be a sales success in the U.S.

[Source: Carscoop]

Honda Fit Shuttle wagon revealed in leaked brochure? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda prices 2011 Fit Hybrid at $19,310; cheapest gas-electric in Japan

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:27:00 EST

European 2011 Honda Jazz Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite the fact that Honda has no plans - at least not yet - to export its 2011 Honda Fit (Jazz) Hybrid to the U.S., we've still kept a close eye on the automaker's subcompact gas-electric. From the rumors that swirled around back in 2006 to its on-stage debut at the Paris Motor Show, we've never lost sight of the Fit Hybrid and its overall importance in the gas-electric segment. Now, as the vehicle launches in Japan, we're pleased to note that Reuters is reporting that Honda has kept its promise and priced the Fit Hybrid at a mere 1.59 million yen ($19,310 U.S. at current exchanges rate). This makes it the cheapest gas-electric car available in Japan.

Honda reports that pre-orders in Japan for the bargain-priced hybrid have reached nearly 10,000 units. Toppling the nation's best-seller, the Toyota Prius, though, will require even more consumer interest than that. Under Japanese testing methods, the Fit Hybrid receives a 70.6 mile-per-gallon fuel economy rating, equal to that of the company's Insight.

Gallery: European Honda Jazz Hybrid

[Source: Reuters]

Honda prices 2011 Fit Hybrid at $19,310; cheapest gas-electric in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 Honda Fit (Jazz) Hybrid greens up the place [w/video]

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda

2011 Honda Fit (Jazz) Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever since Honda debuted the Fit hatchback, we've said that it would be a perfect vehicle to have a gasoline-electric hybrid variant. Honda didn't exactly hear us loud and clear, however. First, we got the Insight, which isn't all that great, and then came the CR-Z, which is a peculiar blend of sport and efficiency.

Other markets, however, will now get a hybrid version of the Honda Jazz, the Euro-spec Fit. It uses the same Integrated Motor Assist mild hybrid system as the Insight and CR-Z matched with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine. After making its world debut at the Paris Motor Show this week, the hybrid Jazz will go on sale in Europe in the early part of 2011.

Click through our high-res galleries of both live and stock shots of the Jazz Hybrid, and click past the jump to watch two videos of the green (literally) machine out on the road.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Honda Fit Hybrid

Gallery: European Honda Jazz Hybrid

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL

Continue reading Paris 2010: 2011 Honda Fit (Jazz) Hybrid greens up the place [w/video]

Paris 2010: 2011 Honda Fit (Jazz) Hybrid greens up the place [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda releases more Fit Hybrid images, details

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda

European Honda Jazz Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda has told us it will not be producing a Honda Fit Hybrid for the U.S. market, but it also once told us that there will be no Honda Jazz Hybrid. What you are looking at above is exactly that - an EU-market Honda Jazz with a gas-electric drivetrain. The new, more verdant model is set to make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, and Honda has just released an expanded array of images and more details about the eco-minded hatch. While the Japanese automaker hasn't divulged the car's full specs, there are a few things we do know:

Interior space remains largely uncompromised, as the battery pack and other hybrid hardware is under the trunk floor.
The IMA mild hybrid motor and control systems are shared with the Insight and CR-Z.
Just like the Insight, the Jazz Hybrid utilizes a 1.3-liter gasoline engine under the hood.

The U.S. 2010 Honda Fit model is rated at 27 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, and we expect the Fit Hybrid to push that urban rating up by more than a few notches. Sadly, this new model remains unlikely to make it to North American shores.

Gallery: European Honda Jazz Hybrid

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda releases more Fit Hybrid images, details

Honda releases more Fit Hybrid images, details originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Honda AU asks 'How much _______ can you pack' in a Jazz/Fit?'

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Honda, Humor

How much hipster can you pack into a Honda Jazz/Fit? Click above to watch the videos

It's no secret that the Honda Fit is one of our favorite small cars. It blends nimble handling, good fuel efficiency and an amazing interior package. Few cars with such a small footprint can accommodate four adult passengers and their stuff in such comfort. Now the folks at Honda Australia have launched a new promotional campaign and contest they've dubbed Jazz-packing (remember, the Fit is marketed as the Jazz in numerous other global markets).

Just as college students back in the 1960s and 1970s used to stuff phone booths (you do remember what those are, right?) and Volkswagen Beetles, a particularly nerdy looking "scientist" named Rodney oversees the packing of a Honda Jazz with everything from hipsters to ninjas, rappers, and even strongmen and women - you can see all of the clever videos after the jump.

If you've got an idea of what to pack in a Jazz and you live in Australia, just upload a photo to the site where visitors can vote and the entries that get the most votes will get produced into a video like the ones you see after the jump. Whoever suggests the most popular entry will win the car used in the making of the ad.

[Source: Honda Australia]

Continue reading Videos: Honda AU asks 'How much _______ can you pack' in a Jazz/Fit?'

Videos: Honda AU asks 'How much _______ can you pack' in a Jazz/Fit?' originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda releases Fit Si - only it's really a UK Jazz, and it's a trim-and-tape deal

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Honda

Honda Jazz Si - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever since the debut of the second-generation Fit in late 2008, we've secretly been hoping that Honda would introduce a sportier Si-badged version of the good-to-do hatch, complete with sporty chassis upgrades and a slightly more powerful engine. So when we got the word that Europe would be getting an Si variant of the Jazz (what the Fit is called overseas), we started to get relatively jealous - until we read the fine print.

Yes, it's called the Si, but Honda has not given the Jazz any additional power or suspension upgrades. Instead, the Si is set apart from the rest of the lineup by sharp new 16-inch alloys, a chrome sport front grille and a rear roof spoiler. Inside, there aren't any sort of refinement upgrades, but Si badging has now been added to the floor mats and glove box.

In Europe, the Jazz is available with either a 1.2- or 1.4-liter gasoline engine. The Si package is available with both powerplants, commanding an additional £870 over comparable 1.2 SE and 1.4 ES models. We're a fan of the minor cosmetic upgrades, but take note, Honda - if an Si-branded Fit ever hits the streets of America, we'll be looking for a bit more than just a Bedazzled exterior. Hit the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: Honda Jazz Si

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda releases Fit Si - only it's really a UK Jazz, and it's a trim-and-tape deal

Honda releases Fit Si - only it's really a UK Jazz, and it's a trim-and-tape deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda recalls 646k Fits around the world

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:49:00 EST

Filed under: Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Honda

2009 Honda Fit - Click above for high-res image gallery

It certainly pales in comparison to some other recent recall notices we've seen lately, but Honda has announced that it will recall 646,000 Fit hatchbacks (also known as the Jazz or the City, depending on the market) to fix a defective master switch.

The recall includes 140,000 vehicles in the United States and also includes models sold in South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia. No cars sold in Japan are subject to this recall.

Apparently, water can enter into the power window switch mechanism, which in certain instances could cause a fire. So far, three such conflagrations have been reported, one in South Africa and two right here in the United States.

Gallery: 2008 Honda Fit

[Source: Reuters]

Honda recalls 646k Fits around the world originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Highest and lowest depreciating cars of 2009 in the UK

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Honda, Maybach, Mitsubishi, Ferrari, UK, Luxury

Car price guide Parker's has produced its latest depreciation lists for cars in the UK. It's probably of most use if you're shopping at the lower-priced end of the car spectrum, since a straight-up comparison would be pointless. Seven of the 10 cars with the least depreciation are Japanese, headed by the Honda Jazz, and all of them are small. Five of the 10 cars with the greatest depreciation, headed by the Maybach 57S, are English, and none of them are cheap.

Parker's doesn't break the list down into model trims, but the least expensive Honda Jazz on Honda's UK site goes for £11,058 on-the-road (OTR). With 10,000 miles on the odo it will lose £1,379 in value a year later, or 12.5 percent of its value. A Maybach 57S goes for £297,945 OTR, and Parker's says it drops by £127,526 a year later after 10K miles, or 43 percent. If, however, you've spent £400,000 on a car after adding special features, you probably have better things to think about than your fleet's depreciation.

At the other end of the least depreciating vehicles is the Mitsubishi i, which loses £2,271 after a year, a slightly whopping 25 percent. That is almost as bad as the Ferrari F430, which does the 'best' on the most depreciating list, losing 'just' £37,188, or 27 percent. Back to that Maybach 57S for a moment, though: a dealer in Surrey has a used one for sale, with 10,000 miles, for £249,990. Perhaps he doesn't read Parker's?

[Source: Parker's via Gizmag]

Highest and lowest depreciating cars of 2009 in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Honda readies refreshed Civic Hybrid and i-DTEC gearbox

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Budget, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Honda

click above for more shots of the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

It's the impending debut of the all-new Prius-assaulting Insight hybrid that's got our hearts all aflutter over Honda's booth at the upcoming Paris Motor Show, but that's not all the automaker will be bringing with it to the City of Lights. Along with the new dedicated hybrid we'll see the latest version of its older and somewhat less interesting brother, the Civic Hybrid, that along with the rest of the Civic line for '09, gets a small bit of freshening for the new model year. We do like the looks of the new front-end, but besides that, there's not much to see here... and so we move along to the CR-Z hybrid coupe that Honda's been showing off since Tokyo. Big H's other stab at saving the world runs on hydrogen, the FCX Clarity. Despite the fact that nobody in Europe will be able to buy it, it'll be there with bells on.

Honda will also use the Paris Motor Show to introduce the Continent to its new-for-'09 Jazz, known to us Yanks as the Fit. Something else that should be of interest to the Europeans is Honda's first automatic gearbox for its ubiquitous 2.2-liter diesel engine, dubbed the i-DTEC, which rounds out the new stuff that Honda has to show in Paris.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Honda readies refreshed Civic Hybrid and i-DTEC gearbox

Paris Preview: Honda readies refreshed Civic Hybrid and i-DTEC gearbox originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Fit named Japanese Car of the Year

John Neff — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Honda

click above image for high-res gallery of the 2008 Honda Fit

The second-generation Honda Fit (a.k.a. Jazz in some markets outside the U.S.) has been named Japan's Car of the Year. Reuters reports that the little Honda hatchback beat out such heavyweights as the new Nissan Skyline (a.k.a. Infiniti G37 in the U.S.) and the new Subaru Impreza. Chosen by a 60-member panel comprised mainly of automotive journalists, the Car of the Year award in Japan has gone to Honda five times in the last 10 years. Last year's winner was the new Lexus LS sedan. You can check out the entire list of past winners here on Wikipedia. While we in the U.S. aren't able to purchase the new Fit yet, it's on sale in Japan and flying off the lot. Expected to sell around 12,000 units per month initially, Honda sold more than 20,000 in the car's first two weeks of availability. The new Fit's larger size and smoother looks should help it find a few more buyers in the U.S. as well when it goes on sale sometime next year.

[Source: Reuters]

Gallery: 2008 Honda Fit (JDM)

Honda Fit named Japanese Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Honda Fit growing

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Honda

Beneath those ridiculously large tacked-on fender flares lies the next Jazz (Fit in the States). Thanks to Auto Express and an alert reader, we have a glimpse at what the future may hold for Honda's most recent hit. They believe this is a mule being used to test Honda's next supermini. Apparently the UK developed Civic did so well for Honda that Britain is again being tabbed to help with the replacement for the Jazz.

Built on basically the same chassis as the current model, the new Jazz should keep its innovative central fuel tank, fold-flat rear bench, five-seat configuration, and 1.2 and 1.4 liter gas engines. Although the spyshot seems to show the five-door will be growing a bit in every direction, the big news is the diesel that might find its way underhood. A new dash and upgraded interior materials round out the changes. This new for '08 Jazz should have its coming out party at the Tokyo Motor Show in October. Click the image or the read link for a pair of full-size shots.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: Honda Fit growing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda UK Sales Going Strong

Alex Nunez — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 19:04:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Ford, Honda

While the total market for UK car sales is down over 4% compared to last year, Honda is bucking that trend and showing 2% growth, thanks in large part to the strength the new 5-door Civic and the continued success of the Jazz (that's what the Fit is called in Europe) and CR-V.

The British-built Civic 5-Door is the UK division's top mover, tallying over 16,000 sales so far. It has outperformed what the entire Civic range did up to this point in time last year, and it has yet to be joined in the marketplace by the Civic 3-door (to be unveiled next month) and the new Civic Type R (coming next year).

The Honda Jazz is next with 14,000+ sales to date. Both Civic and Jazz are retaining value, too. Over the first six to ten months of ownership, Civic keeps 97% of its retail value, while Jazz is only slightly behind at 95%.

As successful as they are, however, the two big volume sellers for Honda UK are still runners-up in their respective classes. At this time, Civic is #2 behind the Ford Focus and Jazz plays second fiddle to the Ford Fiesta.

Next year could be a different story, as Civic, with a 3-car lineup in its corner, goes toe-to-toe with Focus for the top spot. There's a lot to like about both cars, so it'll be interesting to follow from afar.

Sadly, that's all North American fans will be able to do, as the UK-spec Civic and Focus are forbidden fruit this side of the pond.

(Press release with YTD sales numbers after the jump)

[Source: Honda UK]

Continue reading Honda UK Sales Going Strong

Honda UK Sales Going Strong originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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