Joined
·
215 Posts
The new Civic has balloned in size and weight to occupy the portion of the Honda product line that the Accord once occupied. The inflated Accord is now in the same league as the 5 Series BMW and E Class Mercedes in terms of size. If an American consumer wants a larger car than the Accord he is directed to the Acura dealer next door.
This has left Honda without an entry level car in the US market, soon to be filled by the Honda Fit. Weighing in at 2,400 lbs. and powered by a 1.5 litre engine, the Fit it the spriritual decendant of the old Honda Civic which captured American hearts over 20 years ago. The Fit is an upright, boxy people mover that is space effcient. But the platform could yield the basis of an inexpensive sports coupe.
The Honda product line will need a new sports coupe, the NSX is no longer in production and the S2000 roadster is rumored to be on the chopping block. A sub-2400 lbs coupe with a peppy and economical engine would go a long way to winning back the young hearts and minds being lost to the Scion product line.
Currently Honda is offering the New Civic as a sporty Si coupe and a Si four door sedan in the fall. While they offer good performance in a reasonablely priced package, the enthusiast community is concerned about the 3,000 lbs. bulk these cars must carry. A sleek new coupe weighing less than a Miata would become an instant hit amongst the sport compact crowd.
The Fit will be introduced to the American market this spring. Traditionally, Honda waits about 6 months to introduce an evolved version of a new platform.
My guess is that Honda will show a CRX-type version of the Fit sometime next winter for sale in the spring/summer of 2007.
Scott
This has left Honda without an entry level car in the US market, soon to be filled by the Honda Fit. Weighing in at 2,400 lbs. and powered by a 1.5 litre engine, the Fit it the spriritual decendant of the old Honda Civic which captured American hearts over 20 years ago. The Fit is an upright, boxy people mover that is space effcient. But the platform could yield the basis of an inexpensive sports coupe.
The Honda product line will need a new sports coupe, the NSX is no longer in production and the S2000 roadster is rumored to be on the chopping block. A sub-2400 lbs coupe with a peppy and economical engine would go a long way to winning back the young hearts and minds being lost to the Scion product line.
Currently Honda is offering the New Civic as a sporty Si coupe and a Si four door sedan in the fall. While they offer good performance in a reasonablely priced package, the enthusiast community is concerned about the 3,000 lbs. bulk these cars must carry. A sleek new coupe weighing less than a Miata would become an instant hit amongst the sport compact crowd.
The Fit will be introduced to the American market this spring. Traditionally, Honda waits about 6 months to introduce an evolved version of a new platform.
My guess is that Honda will show a CRX-type version of the Fit sometime next winter for sale in the spring/summer of 2007.
Scott