Today my newspaper published a review of the new all-electric Honda Fit by Malcolm Gunn of Wheelbase Media. His comments are based upon Honda's press introduction and included a short ride in the vehicle. The nose of the EV Fit has been aerodynamically smoothed-over by Honda, compared with the IC version. It has its Li-ion battery pack located under the floor, making for a slightly higher ride height and a slight reduction of the interior volume. The car weighs an additional 750 pounds, which is pushed around by its 92 kW motor. The drive is direct. (Still no gearbox in a major brand production car.) Torque is 189 lb-ft and it has good acceleration off the line, but fades a bit between 40 and 60 mph. Its range is estimated at 82 miles, per the EPA's EV method. The Fit has three driving modes, "sport", "Econ" and I assume a "normal" mode. Charging time is 15 hours on 120V and less than 3 hours using the optional 240-volt charger.
Only 1100 Fits will be marketed this year and all will be leased for $389 per month on a 36-month lease. That works out to a list price of about $36,600. The initial batch of Fits will be available only in CA and OR, with expansion into major East Coast cities, including Boston, NY, Baltimore and Washington, DC set for 2013.
The article ends with: "The slick little Fit EV represents a modest test of Honda's electric-vehicle capability, but clearly the automaker wants to be prepared should the market become charged up down the road. Its really up to you to see how much further it goes."
