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Filed under: Economy, Japan, Hatchbacks, Honda
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The second-generation Honda Fit drops in Japan on October 26th. The new Fit refines the basic recipe of the current car, marrying innovative packaging and a carved-out interior with efficient mechanicals. Honda has also added a sportier "Road Sailing" trim level that adds a larger engine. The A-pillar has moved forward and stretched the wheelbase two inches, utilizing that space to add four-mode "Ultra Seats" that flip and fold in a variety of ways to increase cargo capacity, or even create a bed when set to "Refresh mode." They've also found room for ten (!) cupholders in there somehow, but Honda swears that the interior volume is equivalent to one of its mid-size sedans.

Five new exterior colors bring the available hues to a total of 12, and the exterior design has evolved into something more handsome than the current Fit. It's still not terribly stylish, but for its homeliness, but we doubt that anyone would argue that the outgoing Fit looks better. A 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine is the base powerplant, upgradeable to a 1.5-liter unit, and both powerplants are available with an all-wheel-drive system when mated to a 5-speed automatic. There's also a CVT and a five-speed manual available to transmit twist to the road. Prices start at about $9,800 (1.14 million Yen) and go up to about $14,600 (1.7 million Yen).

Honda's full press release is posted after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Gallery: 2008 Honda Fit

Continue reading 2008 Honda Fit bows in Japan

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