The new and improved Honda Fit was recently unveiled to the public in Japan, and apparently the Friends of Asimo have resurrected the RS moniker for the new hatch. You know what that means – it’s time to go “Road Sailing.”
Buying a Civic RS in 1974 meant that while mere mortals were simply driving, or whatever it is that plebes do, you could be really hauling through the bends, as one with the curves, the open lanes your oyster – aka Road Sailing, man! Oddly named, perhaps, but keep in mind that Japan is a maritime nation. With oodles of go-fast goodies like a tuned head and dual Keihin carbs, Honda bumped up power to a whopping 70hp. That doesn’t sound like a lot until you realize the original car had only 50. Some Civic RSs had flared fenders. Most were orange. All had a special “H” badge with a red background, the calling card of future Type R cars.
And since the Japanese Civic is no longer a hatch but a mid-size sedan, the Fit inherits Road Sailing duties and rubs it in the faces of lesser Fits and their 1.3L engines by getting a 1.5 with about 20 extra horses. It also comes in a more aggressive body and an optional 5-speed manual. Can you hear the asphalt waves beckoning?
Oh, man. Do I buy a new Fit now, like I’ve wanted to for ages, or do I wait for the new model?
Do we get the RS here in the States?
I think we will get the 1.5L engine (the 1.3 probably won’t even be an option), but I don’t know if it will have the RS trim level and body kit. The JDM Fit also comes with a huge panoramic sunroof, which is uber cool, so I’d wait till next year to buy, just in case that option comes stateside!