Honda announced the facelifted Fit for the Japanese market, coming with mild visual updates and increased power output from its hybrid powertrain. There is also a new addition to the range – the Honda Fit e:HEV RS, which offers a bit more aggressive styling.
The latest generation of the Honda Fit / Jazz was introduced in 2019, in both regular and Crosstar guises. The updated model will debut in Japan in Autumn 2022 with a revised range consisting of the Basic, Home, Luxe, Crosstar, and RS trims. Each version gets specific styling cues and small differences compared to the pre-facelift model, although the most notable changes occur in the sporty RS.
Also Read: The Honda Jazz Crosstar e:HEV Is A Supermini In Crossover MPV Clothing
The RS will be the sportiest Fit money can buy, but it’ll most likely be limited to just the angrier visual styling, as Honda is not planning a proper hot hatch variant of this generation.
Visually, the Fit e:HEV RS is distinguished by the new mesh on the grille, the redesigned bumper with significantly larger intakes, red RS badges, deeper side sills, larger alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler. Honda didn’t mention anything about a model-specific suspension setup or any changes on the powertrain over the lesser variants.
Inside, the RS gets contrasting stitching on the leather steering wheel, a new “deceleration selector” in the form of paddles for controlling regenerative braking, and a new drive mode selector. The rest of the interior looks untouched, including the 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and the 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. Predictably, the Honda Sensing ADAS suite is still a part of the standard equipment.
More Power For The Hybrid
Honda didn’t reveal the detailed specifications, but said that the e:HEV system in the facelifted Fit provides “increased motor output and improved accelerator response”. Japanese buyers also have access to an ICE-powered Fit and AWD variants, unlike in Europe where the Jazz twin is exclusively available in FWD-only hybrid form.
The current Fit / Jazz e:HEV is fitted with two electric motors and a naturally-aspirated 1.5-liter engine producing a combined 107 hp (80 kW / 109 PS) and 253 Nm (187 lb-ft) of torque. In the mechanically-related HR-V e:HEV, the hybrid system produces a combined output of 129 hp (96 kW / 131 PS) and 253 Nm (187 lb-ft) of torque. This could also find its way under the bonnet of the facelifted Fit / Jazz, although nothing has been confirmed at this point.
We will learn more about the updated range of the Honda Fit in the coming months, as the model will soon launch in Japan. Besides its home market, it is highly likely that the changes found in the JDM-spec Fit will be carried over to the EU-spec Honda Jazz in the near future.
