Honda is developing a new model for the emerging automotive market in India, and Honda of Lisle, serving Lisle and Chicago, has the inside scoop. Why bother reading about a vehicle that's being developed for a foreign market? While it might not make its way to U.S. shores, the new model, which is codenamed "2NH," is based on the highly-popular 2012 Honda Fit.

Specifically, the Honda "2NH" features the same hatchback body and powertrain as the Fit that's currently available for a test drive at 4475 Lincoln Ave in Lisle, IL. So what's different about it then? Honda is reworking it to add another row of seating for a total of seven passengers.

Small, fuel efficient vehicles that offer ample cargo/passenger room have come to be known as multi-purpose vehicles India and other regions of the world, and they're a segment of vehicle that we'd love to see offered in the United States. Feel free to take a look at the specs for the 2012 Honda Fit listed below, then leave us a comment to let us know what you think. Would such a vehicle take off in the U.S.? Or would it need a bit more work before being embraced by the public?

2012 Honda Fit At a Glance

-    Body style: five-door hatchback
-    Engine: 1.5-liter 4-cylinder
-    Transmission: Five-speed manual or five-speed automatic
-    Fuel Economy: EPA-estimated 27 mpg city/33mpg highway^*
-    Performance: 117 horsepower and 106 lb.-ft. of torque
-    Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Tope Safety Pick"
-    Four/five star safety rating from the federal government's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
-    Starting MSRP: $15,325
-    Honda Fit EV spinoff currently in development

^{*Based on 2012 EPA mileage estimates. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle}