Fiat Bravo and Brava

Last updated

Fiat Bravo
Fiat Brava
Trequartiantoq5.jpg
Fiat Bravo
Overview
Manufacturer Fiat
Also calledFiat Bravissimo (Japan)
Production1995–2001 (Europe)
1999-2003 (Brazil)
Assembly Cassino Plant, Piedimonte San Germano, Lazio, Italy [1]
Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Brava only)
Bursa, Turkey (Brava only)
Tychy, Poland [2]
Designer Centro Stile Fiat (1992): [3]
Peter Fassbender (Bravo)
Mauro Basso (Brava)
Body and chassis
Class Small family car (C)
Body style 3-door hatchback (Bravo)
5-door fastback (Brava)
Layout FF layout
Platform Fiat C1
Related Fiat Marea
Fiat Multipla
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,540 mm (100.0 in)
Length4,020 mm (158.3 in) (Bravo)
4,190 mm (165.0 in) (Brava)
Width1,750 mm (68.9 in)
Height1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Chronology
Predecessor Fiat Tipo
Successor Fiat Stilo

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 for the Stilo. The new version was available only with five doors.

Contents

The name Brava was also used in the United States in the 1980s, on the earlier Fiat 131.

History

Fiat Bravo 1.9 TD.jpg
3 door Fiat Bravo
Fiat Bravo GT.jpg
3 door Fiat Bravo
Fiat Brava front 20080318.jpg
5 door Fiat Brava
Fiat Brava rear 20080318.jpg
5 door Fiat Brava rear
1995 Fiat Brava Dashboard.jpg
Interior

The Bravo and the Brava were replacements for Fiat's successful but ageing Tipo model. The two cars were very different in styling detail and driving experience, the Bravo chassis being tuned for more precise handling, whilst the Brava was tuned for better comfort. The interior trim and many of the body colours were unique to either one version or the other. Both cars had a two-star safety rating on Euro NCAP. The cars came with all-new engines, the base model using a 1.4 L 12-valve engine producing 80 PS (59 kW). Three other petrol engines were available: the 103 PS (76 kW) 1.6 L 16 valve; the 113 PS (83 kW) 1.8 L 16-valve engine and the top-of-the-range 2.0 L 20-valve inline five unit used in the HGT model, which produced 147 PS (108 kW) and which could take the car to a maximum speed of 213 km/h (132 mph). In 1999, the 155 HGT model replaced the older model, offering greater power of 155 PS (114 kW).

Two turbodiesel engines were also available: both were 1.9 L four-cylinder units, one producing 75 PS (55 kW) and the other making 100 PS (74 kW). The Bravo/Brava was voted European Car of the Year on its launch. [4]

The Bravo/Brava chassis spawned saloon and estate versions in 1996, which were badged as the Fiat Marea, a car which aimed at Ford Mondeo and Opel/Vauxhall Vectra buyers, which won praise for its large boot.

Another car based on the Bravo/Brava underpinnings, the Fiat Multipla, was launched in 1998, which was a six-seater compact MPV. In 1999, the Bravo/Brava received a mild makeover. It was discontinued in 2001, being replaced by the Fiat Stilo.

The cars were advertised as being silent, futuristic, economical and offering "The Choice". Fiat's Italian adverts said "Fiat Bravo. Fiat Brava. La Scelta", which roughly translates as "Fiat Bravo. Fiat Brava. The Choice", hinting at the fact that they 'were very similar cars but with the option of a sporty three-door hatchback or a practical five-door fastback. [5]

Peter Davis, Fiat's Styling Center director at the time, said that they started working on the Bravo and Brava immediately after they had finished working on the Coupe and the Barchetta. He said they wanted to push the design to the limit, break the rules and discover every angle of the car, distinguishing it from the competitors. [6]

Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the Fiat Bravo and Brava in 1995 on Top Gear , stating that "This is how an ordinary car can look like, if you put a bit of effort into it". He also stated : "I'm in a three-door hatchback, which you can buy for less than £10,000, and I'm having fun, and it's only got a 1.4-litre engine! A good-looking car that's nice to drive and cheap to run too." Clarkson also said that the car felt rigid, there were no squeaks or rattles, and all the switches inside had a quality feel. [7]

Makeover

The Bravo/Brava received a mild makeover in 1999.

The 1.4L 12v engine was dropped in favour of the 1.2 16v unit from the Fiat Punto, the 2.0L 20V engine of the HGT model gained VVT and VIS systems upping the power from 147 PS (108 kW) to 155 PS (114 kW), the dashboard was redesigned and improved across all trim levels, the grilles of the cars were redesigned, the A/C unit was swapped with the automatic one from the Fiat Coupé, and other small details about the cars were changed throughout the range of trims.

The 1.9 turbodiesel was phased out in favour of 1.9 JTD diesel units (now with and 105 PS or 77 kW), to give even better economy and refinement. In the Greek market, all later model Bravas received the rear deck spoiler as standard.

Special editions

HGT Abarth

In the end of 1999, Fiat introduced the Abarth accessories for the Bravo, available were more aggressive wheels and bodykit, performance was the same as the 2.0 HGT model. It was produced from 2000 to 2002.

Engines

Model 1995:2003EngineDisplacementPowerTorqueNote0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) (Bravo/Brava)
Petrol engines
1.4 S/SX I4 1,370 cc80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) at 6000 rpm112 N⋅m (83 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpmUntil 199913.7s – 13.9s
80 SX/HSX I4 1,242 cc82 PS (60 kW; 81 hp) at 5500 rpm113 N⋅m (83 lb⋅ft) at 4250 rpmFrom 199912.5s – 13.0s
100 SX/HSX/ELX I4 1,581 cc103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at 5750 rpm144 N⋅m (106 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm11.0s – 11.5s
115 ELX/HLX/GT I4 1,747 cc113 PS (83 kW; 111 hp) at 6100 rpm154 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) at 4400 rpm10.0s – 10.3s
Brava HGT I4 1,747 cc132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) at 6500 rpm186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) at 4500 rpmBrava only, from 20018.5s
Bravo HGT I5 1,998 cc147 PS (108 kW; 145 hp) at 6100 rpm186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) at 4500 rpmBravo only, until 19998.5s
155 HGT VIS I5 1,998 cc155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp) at 6500 rpm186 N⋅m (137 lb⋅ft) at 3750 rpmBravo only, from 1999, used a plastic variable geometry intake manifold8.0s
Diesel engines
1.9 D SX I4 1,929 cc65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) at 4600 rpm119 N⋅m (88 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm17.8s – 17.8s
TD 75 SX I4 1,910 cc75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp) at 4200 rpm147 N⋅m (108 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm15.1s – 15.5s
TD 100 SX/ELX I4 1,910 cc100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 4200 rpm200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 2250 rpm10.8s – 11.0s
JTD 105 SX/ELX/GT I4 1,910 cc105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 4000 rpm200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1500 rpmFrom 199910.4s – 10.6s
JTD 100 SX/ELX/GT I4 1,910 cc100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 4000 rpm200 N⋅m (148 lb⋅ft) at 1500rpmFrom 2001 to 200310.4s – 10.6s

Brazil

The Brava was produced from September 1999 to 2003 in Brazil for the home market and export, [9] [10] but in the former, the engines available were:


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References

  1. "Fiat Press Information". Bravo-guide.co.uk. Retrieved 12 November 2008.
  2. 10 million vehicles produced in the former FSM and Fiat Auto Poland factories
  3. "MEGANE, BRAVO COMPTE A REBOURS POUR UN DOUBLE LANCEMENT". 18 September 1995. MEGANE, BRAVO COMPTE A REBOURS POUR UN DOUBLE LANCEMENT 18 September 1995.
  4. "Rewind to 1996: Fiat Bravo/Brava". Quicks. Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  5. "FIAT Bravo & Brava spot commercial (1995)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  6. "FIAT Bravo review – (Old) Top Gear – Series 34 (1995)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  7. "FIAT Bravo review – (Old) Top Gear – Series 34 (1995)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021.
  8. "Leírások: Különleges Bravo/Brava változatok".
  9. Oliveira, Por Ricardo de (3 September 2018). "Fiat Bravo: detalhes, versões, motores (e equipamentos)". Notícias Automotivas (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  10. "Fiat encerrou produção de Bravo, Idea e Linea no dia 17 de junho". Autos Segredos (in Brazilian Portuguese). 10 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2021.