Honda Fit - What the Auto Press Says




The 2008 Honda Fit ranks 2 out of 35 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 66 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Fit, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Fit's configurable cabin, numerous standard amenities and peppy performance secure its place as one of the top affordable small cars and hatchbacks. With the escalating gas prices, it's also an economical purchase for its good fuel mileage.


Reviewers commend the 2008 Honda Fit's all-around appeal compared to similarly styled and powered subcompacts. Back in 2007, both Motor Trend and Road and Track conducted comparison tests featuring the Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Both tests concluded the Fit is the standout of those three for its fun-to-drive demeanor on city streets, as well as its utility. Motor Trend calls the Fit "the right choice for the enthusiast who wants a car that handles twisties as well as it does chores, saves gas, and eases your budget." To Road and Track, the Fit is "the most fun to drive" of the three. A four-door hatchback, the 2008 Fit was introduced in the United States just last year in two trims, the base model or Fit Sport.

The 2008 Honda Fit has won more than comparison tests. It was selected as one of Car and Driver's 10Best for 2008, as well as one of Car and Driver's Top 10 Urban Vehicles. In 2007, the Fit received Popular Mechanics' Automotive Excellence Award. "For a small, so-called B-Car, the Fit has what may be class-leading handling, ride, steering feel and brakes," Popular Mechanics writes, adding, "Then, toss in the Fit's surprising interior adaptability with seats that flip, fold and offer more passenger and cargo carrying combinations than many minivans. Finally, Honda's hallmark quality and attention to detail…mean the sum of the parts makes the Fit seem much more than just another B-Car."


"Not only does the Fit deliver what you'd expect -- high mpg numbers and low ownership costs -- but it also delivers something you might not: high-quality interior appointments, a high level of usefulness, and a high fun-to-drive index." -- Car and Driver

"At first you want to drive it because it looks neat. Then, after utilizing its fantastically thought-out interior, you respect it for its usability." -- Road and Track

"It's a lot of fun to drive -- a car that you can be proud to own."-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"You'd be hard pressed to find a car that can do so much with so little and be so lovable doing it. The Fit is one-half of the perfect two-car garage. Or even one-quarter." -- Los Angeles Times
Disagreeing with most experts, CNET says the Fit offers "low-speed power, maneuverability, nice cabin materials, and plenty of room inside for occupants and cargo. But even with these practical points, it's a car that doesn't live up to its potential." -- CNET



Fit Performance - 8.1 (Very Good)
The Fit earns its high performance score with its pleasing ride, as long as drivers keep in mind the Fit is a compact car, not a hot rod. After driving the Fit Sport, The Auto Channel reported, "It 'corners on its door handles,' as the old saying goes, but sticks well and is great fun to drive." Continue with our full Performance Review to learn how the Fit's power and precision compares to the other subcompacts on the test track, or how reviewers say the Fit absorbs road bumps with its tightly packaged suspension. continue


Fit Exterior - 7.7 (Good)
The 2008 Honda Fit has a more functional appeal than a fashionable one, leading to a relatively low exterior score for the class. Still, reviews like CNET's report, "We do like the design," and commend the car's "nice exterior look." Check out the 2008 Honda Fit Photo Gallery to see the four-door hatchback or continue with our Exterior Review to learn how others say the Fit's design compares to the MINI Cooper, Mazda3 or Honda Civic. continue


Fit Interior - 8.3 (Very Good)
The Fit's interior combines functionality with comfort and is considered one of the best interiors in the class. Car and Driver says, "There seems to be more room inside this car than the tidy exterior could possibly contain, the seats flop and fold to yield great cargo versatility, and the interior appointments would do justice to an Accord." Check out the 2008 Honda Fit Photo Gallery to see images of the Fit's "magic seat" and continue with our full Interior Review to learn more about the four different seating and cargo configurations available inside the Fit. continue


Fit Safety - 8.3 (Very Good)
The 2008 Fit receives five out of five stars in front crashes, five stars in front seat occupants' protection in side crashes, and three out of five stars in rear seat occupants' protection in side crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2008 Fit a "Good" rating -- the highest possible -- in both frontal offset and side-impact tests. Continue with our full Safety Review to learn more about the Fit's safety equipment, as well as how reviewers judge the subcompact's ability to protect against and prevent accidents. continue


Fit Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Honda Fit reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2008 Honda Fit comes with a standard three-year or 36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, as well as a five-year or 60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. Check out our full Reliability Review to find out critics' opinion of the Fit's growing reputation
and build quality. continue

Truck power and car-like fuel efficiency for 2009 Sierra / Silverado Hybrids
By Justin Pritchard



GM has been developing a large-SUV hybrid drive system in cooperation with Chrysler and BMW. Teaming up helps spread development costs across three different automakers, and the resulting Two-Mode hybrid system is already available to Tahoe and Yukon buyers. It's an innovative partial electric drivetrain that allows the huge haulers to consume as little fuel as a mid-sized sedan.

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid


The technology will soon make the leap from SUV's to pickup trucks. GM has already announced the upcoming availability of the GMC Sierra Hybrid and Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid models, which promise buyers the power of a hefty six-liter engine combined with a hybrid drive system for fuel savings. GM says the new hybrid pickups offer the handsome looks and power owners are used to, while offering a 25 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

All-electric driving is possible at speeds under 30 miles per hour courtesy of the Two-Mode hybrid system. At low speeds and under low-load, the gas engine can go to rest completely, allowing the truck to be driven solely on battery power. This uses no fuel, emits no emissions and is completely silent.

When the accelerator is depressed, Sierra Hybrid's 6.0 liter V8 instantly goes to work to deliver a familiar sound and acceleration. The V8 engine helps the Sierra Hybrid along at highway speeds, while employing some fuel-saving technologies of its own. These include Late Intake Valve Closing (LIVC) to help in the emissions department, and Active Fuel Management to de-activate cylinders when appropriate.

The latter feature allows the engine to put cylinders to 'sleep' when not needed- allowing the big V8 to boast smaller-engine fuel consumption in certain situations. Sierra hybrid also gets a specially tuned exhaust system which takes the hybrid powerplant's unique characteristics into consideration.

GM says the Sierra and Silverado Hybrids will allow owners to realize a fuel savings even when the truck is fully loaded or towing a trailer. The hybrid hardware will be sold on crew-cab bodied trucks in two and four wheel drive. A stability control system, trailering package and locking rear axle are standard on hybrid models, and towing capacity is 6,100 lbs.


2009 GMC Sierra Hybrid


Jim Bunnell, GMC general manager, comments on the Sierra Hybrid model. "The Sierra Hybrid represents GMC's commitment to engineering excellence, delivering a fully functional truck that offers a significant improvement in fuel economy. Sierra Hybrid will deliver fuel economy that is expected to be the best in the full-size pickup segment, exceeding the current mileage leader - the non-hybrid Sierra."

The Silverado and Sierra hybrid twins go on sale later this year.

Toyota confirms - again - plans to build production plug-in hybrid vehicles

by John Matras, Automotive Examiner

Plug-in hybrids and lithium-ion batteries are the Next Big Things and Toyota, it would seem from the recent flurry of electric car news, might be losing its grip on first place in the hybrid/lithium-ion battery race.
Lithium-ion batteries developed in a joint project between Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Continental (who will make the batteries) are used in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid as well as a BMW 7-Series hybrid concept car, and will be the sole power source for the pure electric Mini E. Of course, General Motors has the much ballyhooed 2010 Chevrolet Volt almost ready for primetime.

So has Toyota been resting on its Prius?

Not hardly, says Irv Miller, veep of Toyota’s American corporate communications. Says Miller, “Let me be clear about this: We believe strongly in the viability of plug-in hybrids in some applications, and in their use of lithium-ion batteries. We believe so strongly, in fact, that we plan to begin production of PHEVs late next year.”

Toyota has a joint venture (60 per cent owned by Toyota) with electronics giant Panasonic, which will begin production-line assembly of lithium-ion batteries developed entirely in-house.

Toyota, along with Advanced Power and Energy Program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), began a test of plug-in hybrids equipped with nickel-metal-hydride (NmH) batteries to accumulate real-word data in late 2007. However, the NmH batteries, even in an oversized battery pack, gave only about seven miles of pure electric operation, and as such was not intended for general distribution.

While conceding that seven miles would be adequate for most weekend trips, Toyota still almost frustratedly cited the advantage of its current hybrid system as being independent of the extension cord.

So as announced by Katsuaki Watanabe, president of Toyota Motor Corp., at last year’s Detroit Auto Show, Toyota will build and deliver what he called "a significant fleet" of plug in hybrids to fleet users in the latter part of 2009.

Toyota will introduce the third generation of Prius at the Detroit auto show in January, and (purposefully?) leaked photos of it have been circulating the web and have been confirmed by Toyota as being accurate. Presumably at that time we’ll know, too, whether that plug-in hybrid will be in the form of a specially-equipped Prius.

What we won't know is when Toyota will offer a PHEV to the general public. Or will we? Stay tuned.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Outlander
Base MSRP: $19,990
Base Invoice: $19,048
Engine: Gas v6
Fuel: 3.0l/- tbd
MPG City/Highway: 20/25
Transmission: Continuously variable trans
Drive Type: Front Wheel Drive
Doors: 4

Lamborghini Super Trofeo Gallardo LP560-4 Racing Series: 17 High-Res Photos

Lamborghini Super Trofeo Gallardo LP560-4 Racing Series: 17 High-Res

Following in the footsteps of its Porsche and Ferrari rivals, Lamborghini today announced the “Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo”, a one-make racing series that will kick off in May 2009 featuring a lightweight version of the Gallardo LP 560-4. For the record, Blancpain is a Swiss luxury watchmaker that will sponsor the race-series. The Italian firm intends to build a total of 30 cars that will be available for both individual drivers as well as Lamborghini dealer teams. However, one factory car will be reserved for celebrity ‘guest drivers’.

The Super Trofeo race car that will compete in the series is based on the Gallardo LP560-4 with power being provided by a lightly juiced up version of the standard model’s 5.2-litre V10 engine generating an extra 10HP for a total of 570HP which is channeled to all four wheels Lambo’s e.gear six-speed sequential gear box.

Weighing in at 1,300 kg or 2,870 lbs, the Super Trofeo Gallardo also features a reworked suspension, Pirelli slick tires, a specialist racing brake system and the necessary safety cage. The cockpit includes ultra-light racing seat, racing steering wheel and specialized instruments. According to Lamborghini, the Super Trofeo Gallardo and parts package is priced at €200,000 plus tax and entry fee.

The first competition of the 2009 provisional calendar will run on 3 May, 2009 at Silverstone Circuit in the UK, followed by Adria in Italy on 17 May; Nuremburg’s Norisring in Germany on 5 July; Spa in Belgium on 2 August; Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya in Spain on 20 September; and will end on 4 October in Monza, Italy.

>> MORE About Lamborghini Super Trofeo Gallardo

Tesla Lifts the Skirt on 2011 Model-S All Electric Sedan

Tesla Lifts the Skirt on 2011 Model-S All Electric Sedan

couple of weeks after Silicon Valley's famed electric carmaker Tesla Motors shocked us with the announcement that it's running low on cash and as a result, it had to lay off people and delay the presentation of its highly anticipated Model-S sports sedan until at least 2011, the company surprised us once again with the release of the first ever teaser shot of the four-door electric sedan. The man you see partially lifting the veil off the Model-S in the picture above is Tesla's recently hired design director Franz von Holzhausen who previously worked for Mazda North America and is considered to be responsible for the Japanese automaker's new look.

The teaser shot doesn't reveal any specific design details about the Model-S other than it will boast a carbon fiber diffuser integrated in the rear bumper. Speaking with Businessweek, Tesla's chief investor Elon Musk who recently took over as the company's CEO from Ze'ev Drori, said that the Model S will go up against cars like the Lexus GS 450h hybrid, the diesel Mercedes E-class, and the Chevrolet Volt "Our sedan will crush everything out there," Musk said.

Pagani Zonda R: New Renderings of €1.2 million Italian Supercar

Pagani Zonda R: New Renderings of €1.2 million Italian Supercar


While we've yet to see Horacio Pagani's Zonda R in road-going form, a new set of renderings featuring the €1.2 million (not including taxes...) supercar have made their way into the net. Even though the Zonda R looks very similar in appearance to the company's previous creation, the Zonda F, Pagani claims that the vehicle has been designed from ground up with only a mere 10% of the Zonda F components being carried over. It is also reported that Pagani has ditched its original plans to equip the Zonda R with a 750HP 7.3-liter V12 Mercedes-Benz AMG engine favouring instead a 6.0-liter V12 AMG unit with similar output and torque figures.

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Base MSRP: $19,499
Base Invoice: $18,719
Engine: Gas v6
Fuel: 2.7l/167
MPG City/Highway: 16/22
Transmission: 5-speed m/t
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Doors: 4

Baby Rolls Royce PR4 Spied in Dubai

Baby Rolls Royce PR4 Spied in Dubai


We might call it the 'baby Rolls Royce', but truth is that there's nothing small about the British marque's forthcoming luxury sedan codenamed PR4 that was spied here on the streets of Dubai. Rolls Royce officially revealed its plans to introduce a new entry-level model in its range back in May when it released the first set of teaser sketches of the PR4. Though smaller than the Phantom, the new Roller will be slightly larger than the BMW 7 Series with which it shares the same platform and other components.



Despite the fact that it is closely related to BMW's flagship model, sources inside the company have stated that the PR4 will get its own engine. However, since we find it hard to believe that the British brand will develop a brand new engine from ground up, we reckon that the PR4 will most likely get a modified version of an existing BMW powerplant.

The new PR4 is expected to make its world debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next March with sales following in early 2010.

BMW 5 Series Cars

BMW 5 Series
Base MSRP: $44,600
Base Invoice: $41,030
Engine: Gas i6
Fuel: 3.0l/- tbd
MPG City/Highway: 18/27
Transmission: 6-speed a/t
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Doors: 4

Honda NSX Based Ferrari 360 Modena Replica up for sale on eBay!

Honda NSX Based Ferrari 360 Modena Replica up for sale on eBay!


Why would someone go into all that hassle and spend so much money to convert a perfectly fine looking supercar like the Honda NSX (sold as the Acura NSX in the States) into a Ferrari 360 Modena replica is beyond us. To be honest, we thought that these things only happened to cars like the Toyota MR2 and the Pontiac Fiero. Between you and me, what would have really blown our minds is if it were the other way around, meaning a 360 Modena turned into an NSX replica. Now that would have been something worth talking about. But anyways.

The Swiss seller of the Acurrari 360 Hondena claims that no expenses were spared during the transformation of the NSX into the Modena. But it gets even better. Here's an extract from the description of the vehicle on eBay:

"For this money you could get a real Ferrari. But everyone can buy a real Ferrari. This genuine Ferrari you can buy only once, as it is the only one in the world. The gasoline consumption is less than half of Ferrari with similar performance, maintenance costs are very much cheaper than Ferrari, and this car has the reliability of Honda ... ( Rust has no chance, in contrast to Ferrari ...)"

Yep, now we're totally convinced that we should spend more than €31,100 / $41,400 -which is the latest bid on eBay as we speak- to buy a vehicle that looks no different than every Tom's, Dick's and Harry's F(i)errari replica.>>MORE...cars-blog.co.cc

10 Most Popular Cars of the Year

By the Road & Track Staff

September 2008

What's the hottest car on the market? Depends on who you ask. But Yahoo! knows which car it is, thanks to an exhaustive tracking plan that factors in numerous criteria. Yes, user interest is high on that list, but so too is the intent and satisfaction of each Yahoo! visitor, which is measured not only by search queries and leads submitted, but also by ratings and reviews.

And you know what? The results may surprise you. While 2008 has seen the introduction of some of the most powerful sports cars ever, concerns over gas prices have focused buyer attention like a laser on fuel-efficient transportation. Smoky burnouts may be fun, but great fuel economy, affordable sticker prices and dependability are top priorities in today's market.

This shift in consumer attitudes is best reflected in the top 10 Yahoo! cars. The list is dominated by compact and subcompact fuel sippers, hybrids and two of the most popular family sedans on the market today. Still, the fact that the Ford Mustang cracked this elite group shows that even in a time of volatile gas prices, the American love affair with the automobile is still alive and well.

The list of top 10 cars of 2008 is arranged alphabetically, with pricing, fuel economy, competitive set, hot features and capsule summaries of each provided by the editors of Road & Track magazine. The top car of 2008 as determined by Yahoo! users will be announced at the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show in November.

Top 10 Contenders for the Yahoo! Autos Excelerator Award:
Ford Focus
Ford Mustang
Honda Accord Sedan
Honda Civic
Honda Fit
Kia Rio
Toyota Camry
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Toyota Yaris

FORD

Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Ford F-150

By Matt Hardigree

The 2009 Ford F-150 has arrived and, for potential buyers, there are two major stories here other than the new frame and exterior: more standard/available features and more model variations. Now standard is the AdvanceTrack with Roll Stability Control (RSC), Trailer Sway Control, the new Tailgate w/ box side steps and the new "Easy Fuel" capless fuel-filler system that uses a a sensor to automatically seal shut when the nozzle is removed. Available on all F-150's is the SYNC system (with all goodies), new 700-watt Sony sound system, integrated trailer brake controller (segment first on light-duty pickups) and rearview camera assist. There are going to be a total of 35variations of the new F-150 (XL, STX, FX4, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch), including the new Platinum series, which adds extra detailing and chrome on the outside and features such as ash wood accents, 10-way adjustable leather captain's chairs and standard 20-inch polished aluminum wheels.

In the power department, the 4.2L V6 is out as the base engine, with a 2-valve 4.6-liter V8 that is promised to produce more horsepower with the same fuel economy. The mid-range engine is a new 3-valve 4.6-liter and the top of the line is the familiar 5.4-liter Triton V8 which has been tweaked for more horsepower and now capable of running on E85 corngas blends. Across the range there's a fleet-average 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy, despite having no V6. Both diesel and EcoBoost options are planned for the F-150 in 2010. The new F-150 gets fully boxed frame construction with bolstered steel side rails. The new frame is lighter and provides 10% more torsional rigidity.

On the space front, the SuperCrew cab has been stretched six inches to grow the interior to 57.6 cubic feet of space behind the front seats and 47.9 inches of height (leaving enough room to lay in a 45-inch flatscreen television with room to spare). Out back the new pickup box, in addition to the aforementioned side steps and optional stowable bed extender, now has a capacity of 65.5 cubic feet. Full press release below — plus, as an added bonus — some video from Mike Levine of PickupTruck.com on the interior of the new F-150 Platinum edition.

NEW 2009 FORD F-150: MORE CAPABILITY, MORE CHOICE, MORE 'SMART' FEATURES FOR AMERICA'S TRUCK
The vision for Ford's truck team was clear: Redesign America's favorite truck inside and out to give customers unrivaled capability, unprecedented choice and a host of smart, game-changing features.
The result is the new 2009 Ford F-150, the new benchmark in the full-size pickup segment from the industry's truck leader - which has built more than 33 million F-Series pickups since 1948.
The Ford truck team adopted a holistic, 360-degree approach to revamping the new 2009 F-150 - from its segment-first features to the tough new exterior highlighted by a dramatic three-bar grille and more spacious, flexible and refined interior, to the unparalleled choice of cab styles and trim levels - including a new Platinum series that redefines truck luxury.


The improvements are just as dramatic beneath the sheet metal. A new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis is the backbone that allows this tough truck to deliver more horsepower, better fuel economy and safety, and additional towing and payload capacity.

"The Ford F-150 is an American icon," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Ford is the truck leader, and F-150 customers expect and demand the best truck on the market.
"Our team not only met those expectations, they exceeded them with the new 2009 F-150," Fields added. "With Ford's product-led transformation in full swing, the new F-150 could not have come at a better time - for Ford and for our customers."

FIAT

2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse, Paris Auto Show Preview

Written by Suzanne Denbow

Surrendering to the endless bombardment of pre-Paris reveals, for the next few days leading up to the 2008 Paris Auto Show, RideLust will be exclusively covering all the leaks and teaser shots of the major impending Paris reveals. To kick things off, we’re starting with the 2009 Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse, Fiat’s sporty revision of the compact Fiat 500 Abarth that launched earlier this year.

Full gallery after the jump

Getting the full street racing treatment, the Fiat Abarth Essesse is trimmed with a full aerodynamic body kit, complete with a hefty rear spoiler, Brembo brakes, and 17″ Alloy wheels. Under the hood the Fiat Abarth Essesse is expected to feature a 4-cylinder engine 1.4L turbo charged engine, producing a respectable 160-hp. According to Fiat, they already have 200 workshops toiling away to put the kits on the market, and hope to give the Mini Cooper S a run for it’s fierce little compact money.