Honda Fit back in shape for 2015?
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Once the king of the subcompacts, Honda's Fit is getting a badly needed update.
The Fit fell behind in mini-car sales when Chevrolet, Ford and Hyundai entered the market during the past three years. It's still a nice car, but its gas mileage — 35 mpg on the highway — lags competitors and even some larger cars. And an outdated five-speed automatic transmission causes the engine to run fast on the freeway, making the car noisy.
Those problems should be cured with a new model to be unveiled Monday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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Honda promises that the car will be faster, more efficient and more fun, with added interior space and better handling. "It's a subcompact with larger-than-life capabilities," John Mendel, vice president of U.S. sales for Honda, said in a statement.
Last year, Fit sales grew 7.5 percent to 52,944. But it was eclipsed by the far-newer Chevrolet Sonic (85,646), Ford Fiesta (71,073) and Hyundai Accent (60,458).
The Fit looks to reclaim the lead when the 2015 version hits showrooms in the spring.
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Here are the highlights of the new Mexican-made mini car:
INSIDE: 4.9 cubic feet of added passenger space over the current model, including 4.8 inches of additional rear-seat legroom. Fit has 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seats folded down — enough for two golf sets of clubs. Standard Bluetooth and rear camera. Soft-touch materials in the interior. Leather-trimmed and heated seats available.
OUTSIDE: The new model is 1.6 inches shorter and slightly wider than the current one. The front and rear wheels are 1.2 inches farther apart for improved handling. Honda promises a sleek, modern design with a new grille and headlights. Larger tires. Rear reflectors and LED tail lights run along the hatch.
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UNDER THE HOOD: New 1.5-liter, 130 horsepower four-cylinder engine. That's 13 horses more than the current model. A continuously variable automatic transmission will help the motor run at peak efficiency. There's also a six-speed manual transmission.
GAS MILEAGE: Honda claims class-leading fuel economy at 41 mpg on the highway, 33 in the city and 36 combined.
CHEERS: The new engine will rev lower at highway speeds to make the car quieter.
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JEERS: New technology could drive up the price, which was not released. It also could take sales from Honda's compact Civic.