Honda is raising the bar on Hybrid design and efficiency with this next generation Honda Fit Hybrid. The car you see here is for the “home market” (Japan). The big news here is the fully redesigned Hybrid drive system. It is unlike other competitive systems of today. It still uses a gas burning 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine, but the electric side of the system is all new and is dubbed SPORT HYBRID i-DCD.
DCD stands for Dual Clutch Drive, and the “i” is for intelligent. The gas engine is backed up by a 7-speed dual clutch transmission (no CVT here!) with a IPU (Intelligent Power Unit). The IPU consists of a 22-kilowatt electric motor and built-in lithium-ion battery. The IPU is able to completely disconnect itself from the fossil burning power plant and propel the new Fit about 1.9 miles and under 31 MPH on electricity alone. Remember, this is not a plug-in, so its electric only range is very limited. Of course, updated regenerative braking system is also present. Honda says the new system will be both fun to drive and highly efficient.
This Honda Fit Hybrid is rated at 86 MPG in Japanese testing cycle, and represents a huge 35% improvement over the outgoing Honda IMA hybrid system. The model you see here is not expected to be sold in the United States, but the SPORT HYBRID i-DCD system will come to our market in other compact vehicles from Honda.
The front and the profile of the new Fit reminded me a lot of the 2014 Nissan Versa Note. We can be sure that the competition is heating up and more advanced and efficient entries will be here soon.
Watch TFLcar first drive review of the 2014 Nissan Versa Note
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor at TFLcar since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or simply ‘going for a drive’.
