Honda Modernizes Fit Minicar, Hikes Production

Honda Motor Co.'s 2015 Fit is shorter and lighter than today's model but also gains power, fuel efficiency and interior room.

The car's new 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine will make 130 hp compared with 117 hp for the current 1.5-liter unit. The updated powerplant adds larger valves, a higher 11.5:1 compression ratio, direct injection and variable valve timing that also alters the cam profile in two stages.

The engine will deliver its output to the front wheels through a new Honda-developed continuously variable transmission or 6-speed manual. Both units replace current 5-speed gearboxes.

The Fit's body is 1.6 inches shorter but slightly wider than the previous-generation model. Honda says the redesigned car picks up 4.9 cu ft of interior room and more than four inches of rear-seat legroom. A thinner fuel tank under the floor allows fold-flat rear seats.

The car's rear suspension is a modified twist beam that reduces weight by using a stamped reinforcement instead of a separate solid torsion bar. Increased use of high-strength steel enabled Honda to reduce the Fit's weight by 315 lbs to 2,145 lbs from 2,460 lbs.

Honda will produce the 2015 model at its new factory in Celaya, Mexico, which will expand availability of the car in North America.