Rome – Every car constructor has its “strong models”, like 911 or Cayenne for Porsche, Audi 80, Golf, Citroen 2CV, Renault R5: these are all cars which played a role as protagonists in the history of car industry, for many different reasons. Fiat certain feaures more than one “strong model”: starting from Topolino, the Italian name for Mickey Mouse, meaning “little mouse”, which was a great success in Italy at the time; furthermore, the evergreen Panda, but also cars like Ritmo or Tipo.
What we are living today, is the arrival of another new “queen” for this Italian car constructor from Turin. The new Fiat Bravo has caught everybody's attention for months, making all experts, dealers and..competitors wonder about it. In a short time New Fiat Bravo has already become such a desirable car, like Fiat 500 did in the past. This is a very important result for Fiat, because it represents the concrete its re-birth: Fiat is now ready again to challenge international competitors.
Family feeling Firstly, the hard shapes of the current model have been substituted from softer lines, similar to that of Fiat Grande Punto and Croma, to follow a clear family feeling strategy. General shapes look quite sports and well balanced, with particular attention for comfort and brightness inside the cab. Modern and young soul of this Fiat Bravo is definately clear represented by many design solutions: five door, a characteristic wedge shape, which does not compromize its sports look, and 18 inches wheels. Dimensions are still compact, and new Fiat Bravo si a versatile and every-day use car: it is 434 cm long, 179 wide, 149 high, with a 400 litres baggage. In terms of different versions produced, bew Fiat bravo will be produced firstly in a five-door version, following with a station wagon version in 2009.
A new engine generation New Fiat Bravo is powered by new Fiat Powertrain generation engines. For its launch, the car will offer the appreciated Multijet units, with higher performances and Euro 5 homologation, 1.9 litres, 120 and 150 hp. These are all modern engines, clean and powerful, with manual 5/6 speed transmission. Diesel enignes feature a Garret VGT 17 turbine, electrically controlled, for enhanced power.
But this is not all.The most desirable new entries is the T-Multijet family. Supercharged fuel engines, with direct injection and turbo compressor, for great performances and both a good level of consumptions and emissions.
Among them, the absolute protagonist is the 1.4 unit, suggeste in two different steps which differ from each other for power and behaviour. The first one is a 120 hp unit, followed by a sports version, an excellent 1.4 16V of 150 hp.
Inside the cab We really appreciated the interior, and we can say it is definately different from its predecessors' ones. Inside, new Fiat Bravo looks modern, young and original, with nice colors and great materials, even roomy and functional.
But what really hits is quality: new Fiat Bravo can now challenge all German competitor with no fears, as the outstanting quality of its materials. Good plastics for the bridge, good mechanical devices, great compact seats, both leather and stuff. In terms of room, Bravo is as good as the already much appreciated Stilo. Five passengers can sit comfortably, while the vehicle's sports shape does not interfere with getting inside the cab.
The interior is really pleasant on its whole, outstanding comfort and high materials: this new Fiat Bravo is going to challenge all international competitors!
On the road We have been waiting for it for a long time, and now we can eventually touch and drive this desirable new Fiat Bravo . Firstly we start testing the already proofed Multijet 1.9 of 150 hp, which soon confirms all its good qualities, like driving gear fluency and a tough torque. Anyway what more interests us is the dynamic behaviour of the new Fiat Bravo, which is definately as good as it was supposed to be. Of course, when you used to long for a thing, it is easy to be let down, that's ordinary life. But this is not the case of new Fiat Bravo. The steering wheel is precise and reliable, and car dynamics show outstanding steadiness and a preatty good driving pleasure. Therefore, our judgement is definately positive, we can say Fiat technicians really did a great job even in quite a short time. The braking system and electronic devices are both good, as much as the feeling we get with car, which make us fell comfortable, sure and safe: in conclusion, we really like this new Fiat Bravo.
The other engine which caught our attention is a new T-Jet generation, a 1.4 16V which offers an output power of 150 hp and 206 Nm of torque at 2.000 rpm. Our opinion here is even better than the first we tested: this fuel engine can satisfies every driver's demand: it is flexible, silent, powerful, and it allows boosting performance, fluency and stability at speed. We want to have fun, that is why we taste some brave manoeuvre: new Fiat Bravo always answer showing excellent stability and being always ready on bends. Our judgement is definately excellent, and many other journalists agree with us: this new T-Jet engine generation is excpected to become another successful protagonist in the history of Fiat, as much as the Multijet does.
New Fiat Bravo is going to have its debut in March 2007, while in the U.K it will be launched in June 2007. « Indietro Continua »