[New Honda Fit] Development manager “Pursuing four “comfort” from latent needs”

Honda announced on February 13 that it will release the new 4th generation Fit on the 14th. In addition to being able to choose from five types according to customer lifestyles, it is equipped with the advanced safe driving support system "Honda Sensing" and the dedicated in-vehicle communication module "Honda Connect" for the first time.

It has been six years and five months since the introduction of the third generation in September 2013. There is a 1.3-liter gasoline engine vehicle and a hybrid vehicle (HV) with a 1.5-liter engine and two motors, each with FF and 4WD. The newly developed compact hybrid system will be branded as "e:HEV", and the series will be developed from this fit.

Prices including consumption tax range from 1.55 million yen to 2.53 million yen. The monthly sales plan is 10,000 units. There are five types to choose from: (1) simple "BASIC," (2) "HOME," with a design and comfort that fits in with daily life, and (3) "NESS," for those who want to be active. )”, (4) “CROSSTAR” that makes you want to go out on the weekend, and (5) stylish “LUXE” --- The five grades are expressed with friendly keywords.

Honda Sensing installed eight sonars in front and behind the vehicle and adopted a monocular front wide view camera for the first time. Equipped with a total of 11 functions, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), including during traffic jams, and Honda's first close-range collision mitigation brake that prevents oversight of walls near the vehicle.

In connection technology, Honda Connect, a dedicated communication module, is installed for the first time in a Honda vehicle for the domestic market, and "Honda Total Care Premium", which is a package of safety and comfort, will be launched. The basic pack, which includes automatic notifications when airbags are deployed, maintenance support, and remote control of air conditioners and door locks with a smartphone, is free for the first 12 months, after which it is set at 550 yen (tax included) per month. A rotating passenger seat model based on the "BASIC" grade is also available.

In the development of the 4th generation, we used Honda's own method to explore the "latent needs" for compact cars, and as a result (1) comfortable visibility, (2) seating comfort, (3) ride comfort, and (4) usability- We decided to reflect the "four comforts" of -- in the product. For example, in order to achieve a "comfortable field of view," technological developments such as reducing the cross-sectional diameter of the front pillars to about half that of the previous model were carried out.

Takeki Tanaka, senior researcher at Honda R&D Co., Ltd., who is in charge of development, says, "We made 'comfort' the greatest value of the 4th generation Fit and made it a development concept." Focusing on latent needs, he said, ``The reason why the first model was such a big hit was that it met the latent needs of the time, such as being small but with a spacious interior and good fuel efficiency despite its low price.'' I searched for my needs. About 200 people in four countries, including three overseas, were interviewed using a method developed by Honda R&D's specialized department. How "comfortable" affects customers will be a point of focus for the fourth generation.