All Fits sold in Japan will come standard with start-stop, but Honda decided to nix the technology for the U.S.-spec version of the car due to consumer tastes. The automatic start-stop system – which automatically turns off the Fit’s gas engine while the vehicle is stopped – takes a split second to re-fire the engine, which Honda believes could be off-putting to U.S. buyers.
The U.S. Fit is expected to be equipped with a tiny 1.5L engine, so there isn’t much room for any kind of performance-sapping, even if it is in the name of fuel economy.
In addition to that lag time, start-stop systems aren’t as seamless in gas-only applications. Non-hybrids with the technology must rely on a standard starter, which can cause extra vibrations. The car also loses full air conditioning and power steering when the car shuts off.
Automatic stop-start systems are also a tough sell in the United States because of the way the EPA tests vehicles. In real world driving the technology can slash fuel consumption by around 8 percent, but that figure in not reflected in the EPA’s testing procedures.
Start-stop systems are starting to make some inroads in the United States, but it sounds as if limitations will keep the technology from going mainstream in the sub-compact segment for the foreseeable future.
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