Heels on Wheels - 2012 Honda Fit Review
HEELS ON WHEELS
By Katrina Ramser
San Francisco Bureau
The Auto Channel
INTRO TO THE FIT VEHICLE
The 2012 Honda Fit has quite the sporty personality with far more room than expected for a five-passenger subcompact hatchback. This vehicle is a solid pick for women on a budget without a need for four-wheel drive, but who also want cargo functionality.
I drove a 2012 Honda Fit with the standard 117-horspower four-cylinder engine featuring i-VTEC technology along with a Drive-by-Wire throttle system and the five-speed automatic transmission with and steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters. Available in three trims or grades, my top-of-the-line Fit Sport with Navigation came with the following standard features: upgraded six-speaker audio system; fog lights; rear spoiler; chrome exhaust; Bluetooth connectivity; steering wheel mounted audio controls; USB and auxiliary jack; ten beverage holders; and of course, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System. Total vehicle price came to $19,690.
Test Drive: Fiat 500 Abarth roars
The Abarth brings the same compromises of the conventional 500 (mainly to do with the car's tiny size), but balances them with stunning performance, edgy personality and not a bad price.
The name comes from Karl Abarth, who made a business of turning small cars into big performers and, later, a line of snarly, go-fast exhaust systems you could buy from catalogs.
PHOTOS: See more of the AbarthAmericans tend to pronounce the name "AY-barth," but Fiat and its U.S. distributor Chrysler say the correct pronunciation is "AH-bart," finishing with your tongue on the roof of your mouth as if interrupted before you could say the "h."
Fortunately, the little screamer's easier to drive than to say.
A course outlined with orange traffic cones in a parking lot at the Washington Redskins' FedEx Field was the venue. Comparing the Abarth with the normal 500 was the agenda.
GTspiritIt also rasped out one hell of an exhaust note; a bass-rich wail that encourages you to chase the redline in every single gear. Classic looks, modern driveall 43 news articles »
LeoVince 'Factory' Exhaust System for Honda's CBF125rEVOII specification, which is fully road legal "E" approved with removable baffle for a louder sports sound (off road of course!). The exhaust is set up by and more »
