TUNER GALLERIA

2015 HONDA FIT GETTIN’ FIT!

SAME AFFORDABLE PRICE WITH MORE SPACE, COMFORT AND VERSATILITY THAN EVER!

WORDS Sam Du PHOTOS Courtesy of Honda he Fit isn’t exactly sporty, was never a huge

Ttuning phenomenon here in the US and most people we know who own one probably just think it’s cute. But around the world, the Fit has a different perception. It’s a best-selling car in Japan and people of all ages and genders drive it. The Fit’s been used in a handful of racing scenarios as well—JDM tuners such as J’s Racing and Spoon have built time attack cars while here in the States, Honda has supported B-spec racing. While the number of people modifying Fits is small, the beauty behind these cars is that they’re very practical and affordable for everyday use.

Honda is back with its third-generation Fit and we had the opportunity to take one out for a day in San Diego. They’ve been telling us it’s the “world’s best functional compact.” We’d have to agree as it’s easy to drive around town and the cargo space and legroom alone in this tiny car is remarkable. The number of features that come standard might also surprise you. As far as tuning-wise, we don’t expect it to be groundbreaking, but prepare to be surprised as Honda has some top tuners bringing modified Fits to SEMA this year. Word on the street is Bisimoto will be building one—expect a lot of horsepower! But if you’re honestly thinking about gettin’ Fit, we’ve outlined seven important reasons why this car might “Fit” your everyday lifestyle: 1. Affordability. The new Fit starts at $15,525. What other new car can you pick up for that price that’s as reliable, functional and cool as this? 2. Fuel Economy. Most Fit buyers worry about fuel economy over power. The new Fit has better numbers than the previous gen thanks to a redesigned head with larger valves. The ECU is also modified to retard timing at low speeds and more aggressive at higher RPM. 3. Storage. Easily one of the best advantages of the Fit. The height of the car is the same as the outgoing model and it’s only 0.3" wider. Cabin storage and legroom are both bigger. Need to pack a surfboard? No problem! 4. Design. When we first saw the new Fit, it almost looked bigger than the older model, but it’s actually a tad smaller. A more edgy design and elements like the front-grille and headlights make the car look bigger and wider than it actually is. 5. Powertrain. Nothing to throw a party about but the new Fit is up 13hp and 8 lb-ft of torque from the outgoing model thanks to larger diameter valves, raised compression and more. It’s peppy around town and not completely gutless on the highway. I had no problem passing cars, but people tell me I drive like a madman sometimes. 6. Shift. The new CVT tranny in the Fit is improved and can be fun to drive. It’s responsive and accelerates linearly. We don’t mind the optional paddle shifters, either. For the manual, a six-speed is now available instead of a five from the outgoing model. 7. Interior. We drove many of its competitors—the Fit doesn’t feel as cheap. The car is still relatively quiet and has a higher build quality than the rest. We dig the design of the dash, tach and speedo. Feature-wise, the standard rearview and optional lanewatch cameras are very helpful. Also standard is a 5" monitor on the base model while higher trim levels receive a 7" one. Don’t want to spend on the nav? Honda’s made it very easy to connect your iPhone to its head unit.

MUGEN FIT RS

Debuted at Tokyo Auto Salon this year, the Mugen RS edition comes with an aggressive body kit, carbon rear wing, exhaust, upgraded brake pads and bucket seats. Pretty sick, but it ain’t cheap. Especially if you want to get a hold of the parts here!

[THAT NEW CAR SMELL] 2015 Honda Fit

THE STICKER Pricing ranges from $15,525 (LX) to $20,800 (EX-L with navigation) ENGINE 1.5-liter direct injected DOHC i-VTEC four-cylinder THE POWER 130hp at 6,600rpm; 114 lb-ft at 4,600rpm SCALE TIPPING from 2,513 (LX manual) to 2,642lbs (EX-L CVT) LAYOUT Front-engine, front-wheel-drive DRIVETRAIN six-speed manual/Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with G-design shift FOOTWORK & CHASSIS MacPherson front strut suspension; Torsion beam rear suspension; 25.4mm front stabilizer bar BRAKES 10.3" front ventilated discs; 7.9" rear drums WHEELS & TIRES 15" steel wheels (LX)/16" alloy wheels (EX/EX-L); 185/60R15 tires (LX)/185/55R16 tires (EX/EX-L) AT THE PUMP 29/37/32 manual; 33/41/36 CVT LX; 32/38/35 CVT EX, EX-L (city/highway/combined) THE COMPETITION Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Sonic DEEP THOUGHTS If you’re looking for something inexpensive and versatile, then the new Fit is for you. Want to modify one? Wait until SEMA to see what your favorite tuners will be building for the Honda booth this year.

OUR BEST OF SHOW!

>> Major props to Richard Fisher and his BRZ. The Rocket Bunny Version 2 kit looked perfect in Subaru’s pearly white paint, plus the livery was something I could see Kei Miura applying on his personal car. For more photos of Richard’s BRZ, plus our mega gallery of Tuner Galleria, visit superstreetonline.com.

WORDS & PHOTOS Sam Du SNOW DAY

SCENE: TUNER GALLERIA—DONALD E. STEPHENS CONVENTION CENTER; ROSEMONT, IL

’ve never attended the Tuner Galleria car show,

Ilet alone been in the city of Chicago. But judging from media coverage I’ve seen over the last four years, plus all the praise from friends who have gone before, I was extremely excited for this year’s event. So a couple days before showtime, I packed a lightweight duffel bag and off to the Windy City I went!

Now, remember that I’m a Southern California boy so I was not prepared for the weather that ensued. For the entire weekend, the temperature never rose above 30-degrees and a snowstorm blanketed the city on the afternoon of the show.

I was in pain the entire time I was there—ears and feet frozen, nose runny and all. But despite the shitty weather,

Chicago enthusiasts showed me what’s up! The halls of

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center were packed all day with spectators from all over the Midwest. These guys are so hardcore most of the display cars drove home in the snow once the show was over!

But back to the show, Tuner Galleria had everything there: from the first Rocket Bunny-kitted BRZ in Chicago to nostalgic

Datsuns and big-money Euros. Rain, sleet or snow, Windy City locals will not miss the annual Tuner Galleria car show—and now I understand why!