2011 Honda Fit Preview

The 2011 model year marks two years from the debut of the Honda Fit, which is typically when automakers do mid-cycle styling refreshes. The 2011 Honda Fit will not look drastically different, but it will have subtle changes like a new grille and possibly new exterior colors and wheel designs. Honda may also add a hybrid powertrain to the Fit lineup for 2011. Watch for the 2011 Fit to hit showrooms by late summer 2010. Read on for a preliminary car review of the 2011 Honda Fit for additional details.

Specifications

Here are the specifications we know so far about the 2011 Honda Fit.

• Pricing: the MSRP of the base model should be about $15,000 with a manual transmission and $15,800 with an automatic. Invoice pricing should start at about $14,400.
• Fuel economy: the fuel economy car ratings of the base model should stay about the same at 28/35 mpg city/highway. The hybrid model, if offered, will have substantially better fuel economy than the base model, probably closer to the 40/43 mpg ratings of the Honda Insight.
• Engine: 1.5-liter, 117-horsepower four-cylinder engine on all gas-powered models; details unknown on gas-electric hybrid engine.
• Acceleration: Fits with manual transmissions have 0-60 mph times of 8.9 seconds; automatic transmissions complete 0-60 mph in 11 seconds.
• Car safety features: current car safety equipment will likely carry over for 2011, but Honda would do well to make the Fit’s antiskid system, otherwise known as stability control, standard on all trim levels.
• Suspension: same transmission offerings expected for 2011 (regular and sport-tuned)
• Warranty: three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty; five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty

Exterior Features

Honda has not released photos of the 2011 Fit yet, but a subtle interior and exterior design refresh is probable. Expect a reshaped grille, revised taillights, and a new front bumper. Honda will also likely offer new wheel styles and a few new exterior paint colors as well. Standard exterior features like the base model’s 15-inch steel wheels will probably remain the same.

Interior Features

We’ll know more about the new interior of the 2011 Honda Fit once we conduct a formal auto review, but buyers can expect a slightly revised cabin to match with the styling refresh. New dashboard trim is likely, and new standard features are possible. Some predict that the 2011 Fit will make the excellent navigation system, currently only available on the upgraded Sport trim, optional on all trim levels. Standard interior equipment will include features like full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a four-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 capability.

Performance

Honda is unlikely to change the mechanics of the Fit for 2011. The four-cylinder engine offers just enough horsepower to propel the vehicle adequately, and the ride is very comfortable. Reviewers often point out that the Fit’s handling is on par with much more expensive, sportier vehicles. Braking is also unlikely to change, but we’ll know more once we complete our official road test of the 2011 Honda Fit. The biggest change to the Honda Fit’s powerplant could be the option of a gas-electric hybrid engine based on that of the Insight. If Honda decided to offer a Fit hybrid for 2011, it would probably have a 1.3-liter gas-powered engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 98 horsepower. The Honda Fit hybrid would likely be the cheapest hybrid available on the U.S. market.

credit to :

http://www.automobile.com/2011-honda-fit-review.html