Dinky as the Fit is, it should be decently quick (for its class), with a 109bhp, 1.5-liter VTEC engine aboard, driving the front wheels through a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. A Fit Sport model will even feature paddle shifters on the steering wheel when it's ordered with the automatic. And the Sport model will also pack huge (somewhat) P195/55R-15 tires instead of the P175/65R-14s lesser Fits get.
All Fit models come as five-door hatches riding on 96.5-inch wheelbases and stretching out 157.4-inches long overall. That compares to the 106.3-inch wheelbase and 176.7-inch overall length of the current Civic sedan. Interestingly, the original 1973 Civic was even smaller, riding on an 86.6-inch wheelbase and stretching out 139.8-inches overall (and it only had 50hp on tap from its 1.2-liter engine). The Fit's chassis is a conventional mix of struts up front and a torsion beam in the back. That's probably good enough.
With Toyota's new Yaris, Nissan's new Versa and now Honda's new Fit, suddenly the sub-subcompact segment is overflowing with fresh products. With gas prices up and unlikely to go down, that's probably not surprising. What is surprising is how well these machines work as everyday transportation devices. The question now is whether they'll work as sport compact heroes as well.
The Fit hits Honda dealers' mitts this April.
Meanest Korean: Hyundai HCD9 Talus ConceptIf nothing else, the Hyundai HCD9 Talus Concept looked like a Corvette that some guy who works at a Chevy dealership had slipped the chassis from an old Blazer under. And that's a compliment.
Emerging from the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, the HCD9 Talus is intended, explained the Center's head designer Joel Piatowski, "For a person who has grown accustomed to the needs and benefits of an SUV, but desires the emotional gratification of sports car styling and performance." It's jacked up in the air like the 4x4 that it is and sports a 340-or-so-horsepower 4.6-liter, DOHC 32-valve V8 in its nose, which feeds a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The HCD9 Talus body is attractive and includes a dinky set of hinged rear doors for tail-end access. It would look better if it weren't riding so high, but then it would just be another sport coupe.
Best Hybrid: Honda GRX ConceptHybrids may well be the most virtuous cars on Earth. But they're dang-near invariably boring. The exception to that rule is Honda's GRX Concept.
Built as part of the Michelin Challenge Design exhibit, the GRX is built around a 1.5-liter engine (based on the unit in its Gold Wing touring motorcycle) coupled with batteries and an electric motor. Truly tiny, the GRX has a muscular and sporty appearance that belies its efficiency. It might even be fun to drive.
Building any car around the ultra-smooth, creamy-and-powerful Gold Wing engine is a brilliant idea.
Second Best Hybrid: Ford Reflex conceptFord's Reflex Concept is so good-looking it's almost a disappointment to discover it's powered by a hybrid drivetrain, mixing a three-cylinder diesel engine and an electric motor system. Ford is predicting something like 65mpg for this three-seat twerp, but we'd settle for less if they packed this thing with a turbocharged four. The neatest features are the two doors, which are hinged high on the back of the roof so that they open like massive air brakes.
Styling this good shouldn't be wasted on a hybrid.