RIGHT TIMING; HONDA ROLLS OUT IMPROVED "09 FIT.(News)

Byline: JONATHAN WONG

The new Honda Fit has been on sale in Japan since the end of last year, but don't complain about the United States having to wait until now to get the new car. After all, the first Fit was in production for the better part of five years before it hit our shores in 2006.

Of course, it didn't matter that it was really "old, because it was new to us, and its arrival couldn't have come at a better time, with fuel prices punching toward $3 a gallon.

"It was the right car at the right time, says John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda.

For 2009, the Fit moves onto a larger platform built from more high-strength steel for increased body rigidity. Front rigidity alone has gone up by 164 percent over the outgoing car. Handling upgrades include redone suspension geometry, new electric power steering and larger tires (15-inch base, 16-inch on Sport models).

Exterior styling features a front end reminiscent of the European-market Civic, with a honeycomb grille, larger headlights and side mirrors. Base models sit on steel wheels with hubcaps, while the Sport gains alloy wheels, body-colored side sills, a rear-roof spoiler and fog lights.

Inside, back-seat occupants benefit the most, with increased headroom, legroom, shoulder room and hip room. The clever fold-flat Magic Seats have been improved with a one-motion drive-down mechanism for easier operation, and an under-seat storage compartment is new. Cargo space with the rear seats folded down increases to ...