This Is Definitely Honda's "Value-Retention Product" Original: Honda

誌 - JDM Car Fans Magazine - 2025-04-10 14:03:04

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After introducing the first-generation FIT (GD), this model quickly became popular in the Chinese market due to its high cost performance and strong practicality.

Back then, the first-gen FIT GD was the first choice for many families with decent purchasing power as their first family car.This Is Definitely Honda's "Value-Retention Product" Original: Honda誌 - JDM Car Fans Magazine - 2021-11-01 14:03:04

After introducing the first-generation FIT (GD), this model quickly became popular in the Chinese market due to its high cost performance and strong practicality.

Back then, the first-gen FIT GD was the first choice for many families with decent purchasing power as their first family car.

Shortly after the first-gen GD FIT was discontinued, Honda released the all-new second-generation FIT at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show on October 17, 2007. The chassis code for this generation was GE/GP. The GE FIT used Honda's Global Small Car Platform (GSP). It officially went on sale in Japan on October 26, with Honda setting a target of 12,000 units sold per month

After its release in 2007, the second-generation GE FIT once again won the Japan Car of the Year award.

The second-gen FIT GE retained the design concept of the GD, but featured sharper and smoother body lines. The body size was wider and longer than the previous generation, and most notably, the wheelbase increased from 2450mm to 2500mm. This provided much better cabin space.

With the increased wheelbase, the practicality of the GE FIT was significantly enhanced.

A longer wheelbase means a roomier cabin. Coupled with Honda's signature space efficiency tricks and the magic folding rear seats, the GE FIT offered astonishing interior storage capacity.

With the rear magic seats fully folded flat, the car could accommodate a full-sized mountain bike—and remember, this is a B-segment car less than four meters long.

After learning from the lack of rigidity in the first-gen GD, Honda designed a new chassis and frame for the GE. Although it still used a front MacPherson and rear torsion beam suspension like the GD, the new platform and frame increased body rigidity by 164% compared to the previous generation.

According to Honda at the time, the second-gen GE FIT provided a much better ride and handling quality.

In terms of powertrains, the GE FIT offered the same 1.3L and 1.5L engine options as the GD. However, the 1.3L engine was no longer the old L13A i-DSI (intelligent dual spark ignition system) but the new L13Z i-VTEC engine with SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft). It produced a maximum torque of 127 Nm at 4800 rpm and a maximum power of 99 hp at 6000 rpm. The L13Z-powered FIT was offered in G and L trims.

The 1.5L engine was now labeled L15A7, also featuring i-VTEC technology. It produced 145 Nm at 4800 rpm and 120 hp at 6600 rpm. In the Japanese market, the L15A7-powered FIT was known as the RS model. Honda did not offer this engine in Europe, instead providing the new L13Z and a new L12B engine. The L12B, also using SOHC i-VTEC, produced 114 Nm at 4900 rpm and 90 hp at 6200 rpm.

In the U.S. market, only the L15A7 engine was offered.

Regarding transmissions, the L13Z models were available with a 5-speed manual, a 5-speed automatic, and a CVT (exclusive to Japan). In Europe, Honda offered a 6-speed AMT. The RS model with the L15A7 engine came with a 5-speed manual in the early versions, and after a facelift, it became the first car in its Japanese segment to feature a 6-speed manual. Four-wheel-drive models were only available with a 5-speed automatic.

A GE FIT equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission.

In 2010, Honda released a facelifted version of the GE FIT, and also introduced a Hybrid version for the Japanese domestic market. The hybrid GE model had the chassis code GP1. It used the L13A i-DSI engine producing 121 Nm at 4500 rpm and 88 hp at 5800 rpm, paired with an electric motor delivering 14 hp.

This GP1 FIT Hybrid was the cheapest hybrid car available for purchase in Japan at the time.

The GP1's hybrid system offered better fuel economy, but the added battery and electric motor took up interior space. The trunk volume shrank from 379L to 303L, reducing its usability. Curb weight increased by 70 kg, from 1164 kg to 1234 kg.

This hybrid GP1 FIT was not sold in the U.S. market.

At the end of 2010, Honda launched a new electric vehicle project, and the first prototype was the FIT EV. Testing began in Saitama and Kumamoto Prefectures in Japan.

Interestingly, this prototype vehicle was seen during pre-production demos in Guangzhou, China.

The production model FIT EV was officially released in 2012 and began sales later that year in Japan and the U.S. Only 200 units were sold in Japan. In the U.S., it was only available for lease, limited to 1,100 units.

The FIT EV featured HID headlights that were more energy-efficient than traditional halogen lamps.

The battery pack used Toshiba's SciB technology, allowing an 80% charge in just 15 minutes.

Aside from the two aforementioned variants, there was another special hybrid model—the new Shuttle. Yes, it was the wagon mentioned in previous Civic articles. After being discontinued with the EF Civic, the Shuttle returned, but this time built on the GE FIT’s GSP platform rather than the Civic platform.

The new model was renamed FIT Shuttle instead of Civic Shuttle.

Even though the new Shuttle was based on the FIT, it still maintained a wagon form factor.

The FIT Shuttle’s larger trunk allowed it to carry more cargo.

Honda’s first-generation hybrid system, IMA, was also used in the FIT Shuttle.

In 2008, just a year after its launch, the second-gen FIT sold 174,910 units. By the time production ended in 2013, total sales exceeded 1.06 million units. These numbers prove the FIT's success.

But the formula for the FIT's success was simple: high cost performance, strong practicality, and peace of mind. These are exactly what consumers look for in a car. A model that aligns this closely with user needs couldn’t help but succeed.