Honda Releases First Photo of 2014 Fit, Specs on Japanese-Market Fit Hybrid

The next-generation Fit subcompact is just around the corner, set to arrive here as a 2014 model early next year, and now we've gotten our first official look at it, courtesy of Honda. It appears as though the alleged scans of the new Fit from a Japanese publication we recently published were, in fact, the real deal. Besides revealing what the new Fit will look like, Honda also released some details about the car's hybrid variant—at least the Japanese-market version. Of course, we're not yet sure whether or not Honda will send us the next-gen Fit hybrid. The outgoing model never made it to our shores—although the electric Fit EV did. Based on Honda's own testing, the 2014 Fit hybrid will be one efficient machine, at least when put through the rather optimistic Japanese JC08 fuel-economy testing cycle. The manufacturer states the Fit hybrid will be good for 36.4 km per liter, which equates roughly to 86 mpg. Even on our less-optimistic EPA cycle, were the Fit hybrid to make it here for such testing, we expect the littlest Honda would return some heady figures. For a more relevant reference point, Honda claims the new hybrid is 35 percent more efficient than the outgoing model. Instrumented Test: 2013 Honda Fit EV Instrumented Test: 2013 Honda Civic EX-L Instrumented Test: 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid The Fit hybrid owes its fuel-sipping ability to a new 1.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine (of unspecified output); although it's not specifically outlined, we suspect the engine features direct injection. After all, Honda is finally working to switch its fours and sixes over to this more efficient fuel-delivery setup. The engine bolts up to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with a built-in electric motor, which draws power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Full-electric operation is possible thanks to the engine's ability to disconnect from the transmission, and, of course, there is regenerative braking functionality to recoup energy for the battery pack. Unlike Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid setup, which powers today's Fit hybrid and Civic hybrid, the new, more complex setup is dubbed "Sport Hybrid i-DCD." Honda is putting the new Fit hybrid on sale in Japan beginning this September, and we expect the automaker will debut the entire Fit lineup—gas-powered model included—at an auto show this fall, either in L.A. or Tokyo. Further down the road, the next Fit (which will be built in Mexico) also will spin off a sedan and small crossover, both of which will be sold here in the U.S. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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