Tokyo,
November 29, 2002 --- Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
has announced the release of the new Fit Aria, an advanced small sedan. With its
voluminous interior --- including a roomy 500L*1 cargo space --- and a selection of seating
arrangements, it exceeds expectations for spaciousness in a sedan. Equipped with
a 1.3L or 1.5L i-DSI engine that delivers nimble performance and high fuel economy
of 20.5km/L*2, the Fit Aria goes on sale December 20th at Honda automobile dealers
nationwide.
The Fit Aria is the fourth in the Honda SMALL MAX series, following in the footsteps
of the popular Fit, Mobilio, and Mobilio Spike. Developed with the concept of
creating an "advanced small sedan", it breaks through common thinking on small
sedans to take a giant leap ahead in practical functionality for a variety of
lifestyle scenes.
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|
Fit Aria 1.5W
|
Fit Aria development concepts
Design: A sharp, advanced exterior, and a high-quality interior that goes beyond
the expected for a small sedan.
Space and utility: A relaxed cabin space, coupled with a level of utility that
goes well beyond the standard for a sedan.
Dynamics: High fuel economy combined with limber, stable driving performance.
In order to make these concepts a reality, Honda's Global Small Platform with
center-tank layout*3 was employed to create an advanced small sedan with a spacious,
low-floor cabin, and to offer outstanding utility in a compact body with short-nosed,
forward-cabin design wrapped in advanced styling.
A choice of either a 1.3L or a 1.5L i-DSI engine combined with the Honda Multimatic
S transmission with 7-speed mode*4 delivers smooth, nimble performance along with
a fuel economy of 20.5km/L*5 for the 1.3A and 20.0km/L*5 for the 1.5W, which places
the Fit Aria among the top in its class*6. The Fit Aria also offers superb environmental
performance: all model types are recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport as Excellent Low Emissions Vehicles, and meet fuel
efficiency requirements for 2010. Moreover, Honda's original G-Force Control Technology
ensures outstanding collision safety as well.
| *1 |
Honda in-house measurement according to VDA formula |
| *2 |
Fuel consumption for 1.3L front-wheel drive vehicle driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport figures) |
| *3 |
Layout with fuel tank located under front-row seats |
| *4 |
7-speed mode available with 1.5L engine |
| *5 |
Fuel consumption for front-wheel drive vehicle driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport figures) |
| *6 |
1.3L, 1.5L 4-door sedan class (gasoline-powered vehicles) |
Main Features
Exterior
- The theme for the exterior was to pursue a "forward big cabin" design. The Global
Small Platform's merits of a short nose and spacious cabin were put to work to
create a small sedan with an advanced look. The result was a stylish form that
is an exquisite blend of innovation and power.
- Five body colors are available, including one new one: Gracious Beige Metallic.
Interior
- The interior design theme was "modern comfort". An independent 3-gauge instrument
cluster with aluminum gauge rings, metallic-finish center panel with built-in
audio, and other elements create an advanced feel, while the two-tone beige color
scheme lends a bright, luxurious air to the vehicle's interior.
- The 1.3A features metallic-finish panels, for a modern image, while the 1.5W
employs wood-grain panels, for a luxurious air, allowing each type to assert its
personality.
Packaging
- The center-tank layout with the fuel tank located under the front seat results
in improved ease of use from the rear seats to the trunk. Ample legroom and plenty
of height in the cabin further enhance passenger comfort.
- The rear seat is equipped with dive-down and tip-up mechanisms that permit a
wider range of seating arrangements than previously thought possible in a sedan,
for an ULTR ("ultra") Room that easily accommodates even large cargo.
The ULTR Room features four seating arrangement modes:
| Utility Mode |
: |
The 6:4 split rear seats with dive-down mode stow to create a wide, flat space
and further expand the trunk area. |
| Long Mode |
: |
In addition to Utility Mode, the front passenger seat fully reclines
to create enough space for items as long as 2,710mm*7. |
| Tall Mode |
: |
The rear seat cushion tips up to create another cargo space 1,245mm*7
high (effective cabin height), for transporting houseplants and other tall items. |
| Roomy cargo space |
: |
The center-tank layout permits a generous cargo space with
a 500L*8 capacity. |
| *7 |
Honda in-house measurement |
| *8 |
Honda in-house measurement according to VDA formula |
Driving performance
- The 1.3L and 1.5L i-DSI engines deliver the smooth, light driving feel and
excellent fuel economy that are the calling cards of a small sedan. Powerful torque
characteristics in the low- to mid-speed range ensure smooth, stress-free driving.
In combination with the Honda Multimatic S CVT (continuously variable automatic
transmission) the Fit Aria's engines attain superb fuel economy of 20.5km/L*9
for the 1.3A and 20.0km/L*9 for the 1.5W. Both types
also offer superb environmental performance and are certified as Excellent Low
Emissions Vehicles.
- Both types come fitted
with Honda's new-generation CVT, the Honda Multimatic S, which delivers excellent
fuel economy and smooth performance designed to provide the driver with a natural
driving feel. To further enhance the driving experience, the transmission on the
1.5W is also equipped with 7-speed mode, so the driver can choose between CVT,
7-speed auto shift, and 7-speed manual shift modes.
- The suspension shares the same basic components as the Fit, with custom-tuned
spring rates and shock absorber damping rates for optimum performance. The result
is a supple ride combined with stable handling.
- The EPS (electric power steering) has been specially tuned to ensure a natural,
solid handling feel at all speeds, from low to high.
- Engine noise and vibration have been reduced, the body panels made more rigid,
and the latest lightweight, high-efficiency sound insulation material employed
to achieve a high level of quietness.
- Both types are also available with lightweight, compact, full-time 4WD.
| *9 |
Fuel consumption for front-wheel drive vehicle driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport figures) |
Safety
- Honda's original G-CON (G-force Control) technology is incorporated to create
a new body with a crash safety design. It can protect vehicle occupants in a 55km/h
full-frontal collision, a 64km/h front offset collision, a 55km/h side collision,
and a 50km/h rear collision.
- To further improve safety in real-world collisions, Honda has implemented its
own vehicle-to-vehicle collision testing program*10 with its own independently-established
research standards. This collision testing is much more demanding than conventional
tests in which the car is crashed into a fixed barrier. The Fit Aria's safety
design meets even these stringent testing requirements.
- The number of body sections designed to reduce pedestrian injury has been increased
to protect pedestrians' lower limbs as well as their heads.
- The interior is designed to protect occupants' heads in a collision, and front-row
seats are also designed to alleviate shock to the neck. These features help to
lessen the severity of head and neck injuries to occupants in the event of a collision.
- An SRS dual front airbag system for the driver and front passenger is standard
equipment on both types.
- ISO FIX-compatible child seat anchoring bars (left and right rear seats) are
also standard on both types.
| *10 |
Testing involves a 50% front offset collision with a 2-ton class passenger
car, both vehicles traveling at 50km/h. |
Environmental performance
- Atmospheric pollutants (HC, NOx) in the exhaust gas have been greatly reduced.
In fact, the Fit Aria runs so clean that both types are recognized by the Japanese
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as Excellent Low Emissions Vehicles,
with emissions of less than 50% of those allowed under year 2000 emissions regulations.
- High-efficiency combustion technology helps the Fit Aria attain superb fuel economy
of 20.5km/L*11 for the 1.3A and 20.0km/L*11 for the 1.5W. Both types meet fuel
efficiency requirements for 2010.
- Most interior and exterior trim components are made of olefin resin for superior
recyclability. This and other measures result in an overall vehicle recyclability
that exceeds 90%*12.
- Use of lead has been reduced to less than 1/3 of 1996 levels.
| *11 |
Fuel consumption for front-wheel drive vehicle driven in 10-15 mode (Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure and Transport figures) |
| *12 |
According to independent Honda measurement standards |
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November
29, 2002
