The 2012 Honda Fit Hybrid is on sale in Japan, and it is planned for an early 2011 release in the UK - where it's better known as Jazz. The subcompact borrows the Insight's 1.3-liter gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which drives the hatchback's front wheels and stows its battery pack unit neatly beneath the cargo floor.
Inside Line said this about the Fit Hybrid: "Once again, it's a simple, efficient engineering solution from Honda, one that sees the Fit Hybrid turn in a high of 30 km per liter (equivalent to about 71 mpg) on Japan's generous 10.15-mode fuel cycle, coupled with CO2 emissions of just 77.4 g/km."
"The Fit hybrid conversion also adds about 220 pounds to the Fit, not to mention the equivalent of over $4,000 to its price tag."
Would you pay over $20,000 for a Fit Hybrid? The American side of Honda doesn't think so, at least not in great enough quantities to justify bringing it over just yet. But when you can have a fully loaded Fit (non-hybrid) for just $19,500 it may not take them long to warm up to the idea.
"As on the Insight, the hybrid Fit's 1.3-liter gasoline four-cylinder develops 88 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 88 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. And as ever, the engine is peerlessly smooth, free-revving and well matched to Honda's continuously variable transmission (CVT)."
The hatchback's small, front-drive electric motor is good for 13 hp at 1,500 rpm and 58 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm. It lurks in the background, ever ready to provide an extra slug of power when needed or charge the nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery pack as required. Honda rates the IMA system's combined output at 98 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque.
To find the non hybrid Honda Fit or any news about the Honda Fit Hybrid then visit Barber Honda - 4500 Wible Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93313.
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