Honda reveals latest Fit Hybrid, showcases new hybrid tech that could come stateside

Not too long ago, Honda revealed their latest variant of the Fit subcompact, the all-new Honda Fit Hybrid, which showcases the Japanese automaker’s latest hybrid technology. Built for the Japanese Domestic Market, Honda claims that the new Fit Hybrid offers more than a 35% improvement in fuel economy.

And this all comes thanks to Honda’s latest Sport Hybrid Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive, or i-DCD. It consists of a lightweight and compact singular motor hybrid system, designed specifically for Honda’s compact vehicles. Providing propulsion is a new 1.5L Atkinson cycle four-banger mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission rather than the last Fit’s CVT. Additionally, the electric motor receives its electricity from a lithium-ion battery.

In a contributing report by AutomotiveNew, word is that we won’t exactly see the Fit Hybrid on our shores, but the technology will make it here in the form of a rumored new subcompact Honda sedan and crossover based on the next Fit’s architecture.

A timeframe of sometime next year is predicted as the Fit will also be built in North America for the first time.

For the press release and a link to the contributing report, check them out after the jump.

2013.07.19
All-New Fit Hybrid Achieves Fuel Economy of 36.4 km/L, More than 35% Improvement – The all-new Fit Hybrid will be the first model to be equipped with SPORT HYBRID Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive, Honda’s lightweight compact hybrid system –

TOKYO, Japan, July 19, 2013 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. achieved fuel economy of 36.4 km/L*1 (JC08mode) on the all new Fit Hybrid, which is the highest*2 among all hybrid models in Japan. The all-new Fit Hybrid is scheduled to be introduced and go on sale in Japan this September.

The all-new Fit Hybrid will be the first model to be equipped with the SPORT HYBRID*3 Intelligent Dual Clutch Drive (i-DCD), Honda’s lightweight and compact one-motor hybrid system suited for small-sized vehicles. Although this is a one motor hybrid system, this system realized the EV drive by disengaging the engine and motor. The SPORT HYBRID i-DCD is one of the Earth Dreams Technology, Honda’s new-generation powertrain technologies which realize both the fun of driving and excellent fuel economy at a high level.

Adopting a newly developed inline 4-cylinder 1.5L Atkinson cycle (high expansion ratio cycle) engine, the SPORT HYBRID i-DCD consists of a 7-speed DCT*4 system with a built-in high-output motor, and IPU (intelligent power unit) equipped with a built-in lithium-ion battery. Moreover, adopting an electric servo brake system that increases electrical regenerative efficiency and a fully-electric compressor that reduces engine load, the SPORT HYBRID i-DCD improves the vehicle’s fuel economy by more than 35% compared to a current IMA hybrid system.

The SPORT HYBRID i-DCD automatically changes to three driving modes by engaging and disengaging the engine and motor depending on driving situations. The three driving modes are the EV Drive Mode for motor only driving, the Hybrid Drive Mode for both engine and motor driving and the Engine Drive Mode for engine only driving.

Featuring the highest fuel economy among all hybrid models in Japan, acceleration g-force more powerful than conventional models and rhythmic and linear acceleration feel, the SPORT HYBRID i-DCD realizes fun driving.

*1 Tested by Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
*2 Honda internal research, excluding plug-in hybrid models (as of July 2013)
*3 SPORT HYBRID is the collective name for Honda’s newly developed advanced hybrid systems that adopt Earth Dreams Technology.
*4 Dual Clutch Transmission

– By: Chris Chin

Contributing Report: AutomotiveNews via AutoBlog