Honda spruces up its subcompact

2015 Honda Fit Detroit - Arab Today It's still small, but Honda found ways to make more room inside its popular Fit while adding some pizzazz to the front and high-end amenities in a new model presented Monday. One of the most anticipated introductions at the Detroit Auto Show, the new Fit was technically a tad shorter and wider, but the gains of inside legroom made it feel like a much more generous mid-sized saloon. Honda boosted horsepower by 13 to 130, hoping to address criticisms of being underpowered. It now comes with an all-new direct-injected 1.5-liter DOHC engine that Honda says elevates gas mileage, 41 miles per gallon (17 kilometers per liter) on the highway, and makes for a smoother ride. "The Honda Fit is a small car with big aspirations. Faster, more fuel-efficient and more fun, it's a subcompact with larger-than-life-capabilities," said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile sales for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Honda also migrated some high-end model amenities to the 2015 Fit, due to hit dealers in spring next year. They include improved smart phone connectivity to the seven-inch (18-centimeter) touchscreen console monitor, and Honda's Lane Watch technology, which allows the driver to see through right-side blind spots on the monitor. It also comes with Bluetooth capacity, backup cameras, and, as an option, leather seats for the first time. Source: AFP