New Fiat Bravo - Fiat have finally returned to the second largest segment in the UK market with the arrival of their new 5-door Bravo sending other manufacture designers scuttling back to the drawing boards as the Bravo has already been awarded the maximum 5-star rating for adult occupant protection in the Euro NCAP ratings, 3-stars for child protection and 2-star for pedestrian protection. This places the Fiat Bravo amongst the leaders of this category in terms of passive, active and preventive safety.
Customers have a choice of twelve versions from launch with prices starting from £10,995 rising to just £15,495 that will certainly bode well with the cost conscious motorist. Five trims, Bravo, Active, Active Sport, Dynamic and top of the range Sport are mated to five powerplants including the new 1.4 litre T-jet turbocharged petrol engine that makes its debut in the Bravo. This engine combines the sporting performance and low NVH characteristics of a petrol engine with fuel economy comparable to a diesel unit plus low CO2 emissions. Two variants of this engine are on offer, T-jet 120 bhp (later on this year) and T-jet 150bhp. My test car had the latter engine on the Dynamic trim achieving 39.8 mpg on a combined cycle with CO2 emissions at 167. Combine that with a price tag of £13,995 and there will be enough money left over to splash out on the vast array of optional extras.
Designed by the Fiat Styling Centre, the new Bravo oozes style and sophistication that only the Italians know how with lovely natural lines contrasting with muscular wheel arches creating an elegant overall effect. The stunning teardrop light clusters further accentuates this along with the sporting grille design, integrated colour coded bumpers, a deep front airdam with recessed fog light housing and a new Fiat logo that sees vertically elongated letters standing out against a ruby red background surrounded by a chrome frame. The colour coded aerodynamic electric door mirrors help to reduce interior wind noise while to the rear, are large high visibility tail light clusters flanking the practical top hinged tailgate. An optional Skydome sunroof is available that literally covers the whole roof and floods light into the cabin. That will keep the youngsters occupied.
Life on board the Bravo is equally sophisticated with height adjustable anti-submarine front seats incorporating lumber support which I found very useful having done my back in whist water skiing on holiday! The height and reach leather steering wheel is home to the remote audios that include Blue & Me phone plus MP3 player connectivity as well as cruise controls, while the Duel Zone climate control keeps the heat at bay. Thanks to the Bravo’s liberal dimensions, there is plenty of room for everyone and lots of pockets for storing the necessary bits and pieces. The luggage area is equally accommodating thus the weekly shop is easily loaded in, with room to spare.
The feisty 1.4 16V T-jet 150bhp sprints to 62mph in just 8.2 seconds and has a top speed of 131 mph. Ploughing through the six speed manual transmission with utter ease and the Bravo sprints into action, while Fiat’s innovative speed sensitive power steering that uses an electric motor rather than a hydraulic pump hence the low fuel consumption figures, glides the Bravo around the twisty country lanes, keeps in on the straight and narrow of the motorways then loosens up to easily fit into the parking bays by pressing the ‘girlie’ button.
However, the visibility to the rear is slightly impaired due to the very thick rear pillars so be careful when reversing or parking, alternatively pump up the height adjustment on the drivers seat. The ride and handling of the Bravo is unlike typical Italian temperament in the fact it is constant thanks to the combination of independent MacPherson strut front suspension and a lightweight torsion beam axle at the rear thus giving excellent handling and road holding with very few bumps ricocheting into the cabin.
With all those stars mentioned earlier, the Fiat Bravo is packed with safety features including driver and passenger airbags, side airbags and side curtain airbags, ISOFIX mountings, plus a Fire Prevention system that includes a cut-off valve and inertia switch that locks the electric petrol pump thus preventing any fuel loss in an impact. Active safety features standard across the whole Bravo range comprises of ABS with EBD, ASR to limit wheel spin during acceleration, MSR to modulate engine brake torque whilst changing down and ESP to control stability through bends. With the latter comes the useful Hill Holder to ensure smooth hill starts and Hydraulic brake assist. Securing the Bravo is remote central locking with deadlocks and the insurance groups are still to be assessed.
I do believe Fiat have pulled another remarkable machine from the hat in this new Bravo that will certainly compliment the existing line up. From luscious looks, a comfortable practical interior to a forgiving ride and handling with pennies saved at the petrol pumps thanks to this amazing new T-jet engine. But its greatest accolade will have to be the safety features adorning the Bravo that will sure to appease even the most timid of drivers who will bask in the knowledge this car will keep them and their precious cargo safe.
Bravo for the Bravo!
FemaleFirst - Jackie Violet