2007 Honda Fit

The Honda Fit (Honda Jazz is some countris) has already been facelifted once since it’s introduction. The new Fit seems to have taken on a more muscular stance, like a smaller Honda Edix. It also shares the Edix’s upward sloping side mirror profile.

An Auto Express reader spotted this Honda in a motorway ser­vice station, wich on closer inspection, is clear this is no ordinary Fit.The car has a mule used to test parts for the firm’s next-generation supermini.

Honda’s British division is now playing a major role in the Fit project after the success of the new UK designed and developed Civic . But the big news is that the car will be offered with a diesel engine for the first time.For the first time the Honda Fit will be offered with a diesel engine, beside the 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines allready in the range.

The five-door version will be bigger all-round than at present as we saw in the pics.The new model will maintain the groundbreaking central fuel tank, as it will use the same basic chassis as its predecessor.

Sources in Japan have revealed also that the clever five-seat lay­out will be just slightly modified.The current lay­out, which sees the folding rear bench hinge down into the floor, is already class-leading. Other upgrades will include a fresh dashboard design and better materials throughout. The 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines on the existing model are likely to be retained, but these will be joined by an efficient small-capacity oil-burner.

This year in Octomber the new Fit is expected to make its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, before going on sale in 2008.