Hello Fitty

Alas, our USDM Fit won't offer the AWD option but at least us power-mad Westerners won't have to put up with the diminutive 1.3 as the only slightly less minute 1.5L is the only engine available. The 16-valve four-cylinder L15A engine displaces a whopping 1,497cc and is capable of 109 little ponies. If you give a hoot you'll be pleased to learn that this engine achieves LEV-2emissions status.

The Fit may rock a VTEC badge on its engine cover but instead of switching between separate cam lobes this little SOHC performs its timing switch with a hydraulically actuated valve that engages a second rocker arm allowing the secondary valve to stay open longer, which increases the combustion chamber's air/fuel mixture. Translation: this isn't VTEC according to its classic definition but it still accomplishes the same result. Even with the "VTEC" switchover at 3,400 rpm the Fit's acceleration can best be described as present but it's nothing out of the ordinary compared to other cars in this class. While the drive-by-wire throttle may not be nearly as intrusive as the new Si, this probably has more to do with Fit's absence of power. Less torque means less lag.

The Fit may not make big power but big fun can still be had if you opt for the auto trans with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters on the Sport (either model is available with 5-speedmanual or automatic gearboxes but the paddles are exclusive to the Sport). When the shifter isengaged in D (Drive mode) the paddle shifters can be used to downshift (left paddle) for more power on climbs or for engine braking on descents. InS (Sport mode) the transmission will actually hold the gear allowing you to wind up the engine or hold the revs through a corner. But once youget into said corner the boxy Fit tends to rollover even faster than we do at the "happyending" massage joint.

The Fit uses an EPS setup instead of atraditional hydraulic steering system and it has a good on-center feel; however, once you dial in more input body roll becomes more pronounced and the 195/55R15 tires squeal in the same helpless fashion as I do whilst on the businessend of a purple nurple. The front MacPherson struts are based on the '06 Si design and they manage to comfortably absorb most bumps but the rear torsion beam suspension has all sorts of rebound and travel issues. It's ironic that this rear suspension design which helps increase theinterior cargo volume is one of the primary reasons for decreasing the driving pleasure. Although the sacrifices in ride quality seem more palatableafter seeing the different seating configurations of the Fit--this beauty's more flexible than a girl named Destiny with a butterfly inked on her lower back.

The interior volume of the Fit is slightly less than an Accord Coupe at 90.1 cubic feet, which ain't bad at all for a car of this size. The cavernousinterior space is accentuated by what Hondacalls a "unique multi-configuration 60/40 split Magic Seat" but I call it awesome. Tweak afew levers (and in some cases remove theheadrests) and the seats can morph into fourdistinct configurations: fold the back seats tocreate Utility Mode; fold the front and rearpassenger seats flat to create Long Mode that can accommodate items up to 7 feet 10 inches long, such as a surfboard or an 8-foot Subway party sub sans a couple bites; flip up the back seatsto create Tall Mode allowing for 50-inch tall items, such as houseplants, bikes, or Chimpy withouthis Indi-fro; finally, by folding down the front seats Refresh Mode creates, according to Uegane-san, "a perfect cabin space for enjoyable activities such as working on your computer". I can think of plenty of other "enjoyable activities" I'd rather be doing in Refresh Mode, such as Sudoku (I love to stretch out when I think).

The Fit's outstanding interior space is due in part to the unique center tank layout. Hondaengineers moved the tank from its traditionalposition under the rear seat to under the front seats. While you may question the viability ofplanting your donut peach over the gas tank, you can take comfort in the fact that the Fit wasdesigned to achieve a 5-star NHTSA frontal crash test rating and it's also equipped with dual-stage dual threshold front airbags, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags.

The '07 Fit may not deliver the drive of an Si, but with a starting price of under $14K (add $1,400 for Fit Sport), those oh-so magic Magic Seatconfigurations, and that trademark Honda DNA consisting of quality and safety, this subcompact has the potential to be the one upon which all of the other B-segment players are judged.