Fiat Bravo | |
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Fiat | |
aka | Fiat Ritmo (Australia) |
Production | 2007–2014 (Italy) 2010–2016 (Brazil) |
Class | Small family car (C) |
Body Style | 5-door hatchback |
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Similar | Fiat Stilo Lancia Delta (2008) |
Designer | Alberto Dilillo at Centro Stile Fiat |
The Fiat Bravo (Type 198) is a small family car produced by Italian manufacturer Fiat from 2007 to 2014 (after-Fiat Zero, Fiat Tipo 70, Fiat 501 4-door sedan, Fiat 509 4-door sedan, Fiat 508 4-door sedan, 1937 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1938 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1939 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1941 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1942 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1943 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1944 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1945 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan,1946 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1947 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1948 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1949 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1950 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1951 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1952 Fiat 1100 4-door sedan, 1953 Fiat 1100 4-door saloon, 1954 Fiat 1100 4-door saloon, 1955 Fiat 1100 4-door saloon, 1956 Fiat 1100/103 E 4-door saloon, 1957 Fiat 1100/103 E 4-door saloon, 1958 Fiat 1100/103 D 4-door saloon, 1959 Fiat 1100/103 H Lusso 4-door saloon, 1960-1962 Fiat 1100/103 H Export 4-door saloon, Fiat 1100 D, Fiat 1100 R, Fiat 128 4-door saloon, Fiat Ritmo 5-door hatchback, Fiat Tipo (Type 160) 5-door hatchback, Fiat Brava, and Fiat Stilo 5-door hatchback). It was introduced to the press in January 2007 in Rome, and later to the public in March at the Geneva Motor Show. A minor facelift was available from 2010, with changes to the front grille, door handles and side mirrors, new colors, as well as interior improvements. The car was launched on 21 April 2007.
Recent Changes
On January 23rd, 2008 news of a 1.6 Multijet diesel was announced. Advantages over the larger 1.9 Multijet diesel include:
- A 25% increase in torque, and a significantly reduced consumption figure.
- Pickup in 5th gear is almost 4 seconds quicker.
- Substantial acoustic comfort with 5% better noise values.
Furthermore, it brings some remarkable records to the family hatchback segment:
- It is the first Euro5-compliant car, well ahead of the legal deadline.
- It is one of the only cars in the segment with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
- Torque figures are the highest in relation to the displacement in any power category up to 200 bhp.
- Unique 35,000 km service intervals reduce maintentance costs by 25%.
Styles and Major Options
The new generation Bravo will remain five-door only, unlike it's predecessor the Stilo. Currently the hatchback is the only available variant, although a Multiwagon is expected. An extensive safety system has been purposefully engineered to achieve maximum EuroNCAP test results, and a range of luxurious options often associated with executive cars are available.
Pricing
Bravo Engines |
||
1.4 |
1.4 T-Jet |
1.9 Multijet |
OTR |
||
£10995 |
£12895 |
£13795 |
Gas Mileage
As seen on the Official Fiat website, the combined MPG figures are as follows:
Engine | |||
---|---|---|---|
1.4 | 1.4 T-Jet | 1.9 Multijet | |
MPG | |||
42.2 | 42.2 | 53.3 |
Reliability
It's predecessor, the Stilo, had notorious problems in this area. Fiat's management was in turmoil at the time of it's development and release, and faults extended throughout the electrics and engine. However, Fiat's recent design renaissance seems to have brought with it a much needed improvement. Siblings such as the Panda and Grande Punto have managed to keep up with the rest of the group, and only time will tell if the Bravo follows suit.
Safety
The Bravo recently recieved a five-star rating in it's EuroNCAP test thanks to a number of safety features which come as standard:
- Front airbags with dual stage Smart system
- Front sidebags
- Front seatbelts with pre-tensioners, load limiters and fastening sensors
The test revealed minimal frontal impact to the driver, although the passenger recieved marginal damage to the thigh. The driver also faired well in the side impact test, with the most damage only being 'adequate' on the scale. Pedestrian impact results showed that the bonnet area carries a moderate risk.
Photos
Colors
1.4 -
Glory white
Active -
Cool jazz blue
Crossover black
Digital grey
Epic grey
Minuet blue
Symphony blue
Tango red
Techno grey
Dynamic -
Cool jazz blue
Crossover black
Digital grey
Epic grey
Minuet blue
Spiritual ivory
Symphony blue
Tango red
Techno grey
Sport -
Crossover black
Digital grey
Maranello red
Maserati blue
Tango red
Techno grey
Main Competitors
Alfa Romeo 147
Audi A3
BMW 1-Series
Citroen C4
Dodge Caliber
Ford Focus (International
Honda Civic
Hyundai i30
Kia C'eed
Mazda 3
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Nissan QashQai
Opel Astra
Peugeot 308
Renault Megane
Seat Leon
Toyota Auris
Volvo C30
Volkswagen Golf
Criticisms
Criticism of the Bravo is generally centered around the Stilo mechanics. The Daily Telegraph's Honest John goes on to say: "I’d never actually driven a Stilo, which contributed its underpinnings to the new car. But if that’s what a Stilo was like I can fully understand its lack of success. The chassis has no brio at all. Steering is light, feel-free and unresponsive. The gearchange is slow and cumbersome."
Channel 4's online car segment '4car' like the spacious interior, handsome styling and the turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, but they discredit the ride as being "lumpy" when the optional 18 inch rims are specced.
Generations
Bravo (2007)
The car was designed at Centro Stile Fiat,[1] while Austrian automotive company Magna Steyr engineered a large amount of the car's body. CAD engineering and computer simulations were used on a very large scale with this model and the design was finished to a very tight schedule.
For markets in the EMEA, the Bravo was produced in Fiat's Piedimonte S. Germano plant.
Blue&Me is a new feature which was first introduced with the Fiat Grande Punto, and was fitted as standard on the Bravo Dynamic and Sport. Developed with Microsoft, this system offers Bluetooth hands free use with a mobile phone.
It is also capable of displaying SMS text on the dash screen, and it has built in voice activation. Another part of the system is the inclusion of a USB connector so that an MP3 player or USB flashcard can be plugged in, giving the car's entertainment system access to MP3 files stored on the unit.
In Australia, the Fiat Bravo was sold as the Fiat Ritmo, since Mazda Australia owns rights to the "Bravo" name (as used on a commercial vehicle). It was introduced there in February 2008, however, it was discontinued the following year, due to slow sales, only 463 units were sold in total. The Bravo was also built in Brazil from 2010 to 2016, and was sold there and throughout South America (with the exception of Argentina, Chile and Colombia, who receive the Bravo from Italy).
In January 2007, What Car? reported that Fiat was working on a station wagon version, speculated to be marketed as the Bravo MultiWagon. Despite being a production ready version of the Bravo, it was never marketed. Other sources also claimed that this was actually a facelifted of the second generation Fiat Croma, launched in October 2007.
Brazilian version
The Brazilian built Bravo went on sale in 2010 in Brazil. Its available with two engines and three trim levels (five trim levels since 2012), the Brazilian-built 1.8L 16V E.torQ (based on Tritec engine) fitted with a five speed manual transmission or Dualogic transmission and Italian built 1.4L engine with 152 PS (112 kW; 150 hp) (with Overboost option) and a six speed manual transmission.
Trim levels are named as: Essence (1.8), Essence Wolverine Limited Edition (1.8), Sporting (1.8), Absolute (1.8) and T-Jet (1.4T).
Brazilian production ceased in June 2016.
Bravo and Brava (1995)
Main Article: Fiat Bravo/Brava
The Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava (Type 182) are small family cars produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1995 to 2003 (2001 in Europe). They were effectively two versions of the same car, the Bravo a three door hatchback, and the Brava a five door fastback. The Bravo name was revived in January 2007, with the all new Fiat Bravo, a replacement of the Stilo. The new version was available only with five doors.
The name Brava was also used in the United States in the 1980s, on the earlier Fiat 131.
Worldwide
Australia's version of the Bravo will be titled the Fiat Ritmo as Mazda Australia already owns the rights to the Bravo name.
Awards
The original Bravo/Brava rating.
See Also
External Links
- Official Fiat UK Website
- Fiat Bravo India
- Netcarshow high resolution images and information
- Netcarshow information on new 1.6 Multijet
- Wikipedia Fiat Bravo/Brava article
- Autopedia Fiat Stilo article
- The Daily Telegraph Bravo review
- Fiat Bravo review
- Fiat Bravo/Brava review
- EuroNCAP Official website
- Car of the Year 1996 information
- Fiat Bravo PUR-O2 Debut in Paris