| Fiat Bravo Fiat Brava | |
| Manufacturer: | Fiat |
| Aka: | Fiat Bravissimo (Japan) |
| Production: | 1995–2001 (Europe) 1999–2003 (Brazil) |
| Predecessor: | Fiat Tipo |
| Class: | Small family car (C) |
| Assembly: | Cassino Plant, Piedimonte San Germano, Lazio, Italy[1] Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Brava only) Bursa, Turkey (Brava only) Tychy, Poland[2] (Fiat Auto Poland) |
| Body Style: | 3-door hatchback (Bravo) 5-door fastback (Brava) |
| Layout: | FF layout |
| Platform: | Fiat C1 |
| Successor: | Fiat Stilo |
| Wheelbase: | 25401NaN1 |
| Length: | 40201NaN1 (Bravo) 41901NaN1 (Brava) |
| Width: | 17501NaN1 |
| Height: | 14201NaN1 |
| Related: | Fiat Marea Fiat Multipla |
| Designer: | Centro Stile Fiat (1992):[3] Peter Fassbender (Bravo) Mauro Basso (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 for 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.
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 800NaN0. Three other petrol engines were available: the 1030NaN0 1.6 L 16 valve; the 1130NaN0 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 1470NaN0 and which could take the car to a maximum speed of 213km/h. In 1999, the 155 HGT model replaced the older model, offering greater power of 1550NaN0.
Two turbodiesel engines were also available: both were 1.9 L four-cylinder units, one producing 750NaN0 and the other making 1000NaN0. 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]
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 1470NaN0 to 1550NaN0, 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 105PS), to give even better economy and refinement. In the Greek market, all later model Bravas received the rear deck spoiler as standard.
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.
| Model 1995–2003 | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | Note | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) (Bravo/Brava) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | |||||||
| 1.4 S/SX | I4 | 1,370 cc | 800NaN0 at 6000 rpm | 1120NaN0 at 2750 rpm | Until 1999 | 13.7s – 13.9s | |
| 80 SX/HSX | I4 | 1,242 cc | 820NaN0 at 5500 rpm | 1130NaN0 at 4250 rpm | From 1999 | 12.5s – 13.0s | |
| 100 SX/HSX/ELX | I4 | 1,581 cc | 1030NaN0 at 5750 rpm | 1440NaN0 at 4000 rpm | – | 11.0s – 11.5s | |
| 115 ELX/HLX/GT | I4 | 1,747 cc | 1130NaN0 at 6100 rpm | 1540NaN0 at 4400 rpm | – | 10.0s – 10.3s | |
| Brava HGT | I4 | 1,747 cc | 1320NaN0 at 6500 rpm | 1860NaN0 at 4500 rpm | Brava only, from 2001 | 8.5s | |
| Bravo HGT | I5 | 1,998 cc | 1470NaN0 at 6100 rpm | 1860NaN0 at 4500 rpm | Bravo only, until 1999 | 8.5s | |
| 155 HGT VIS | I5 | 1,998 cc | 1550NaN0 at 6500 rpm | 1860NaN0 at 3750 rpm | Bravo only, from 1999, used a plastic variable geometry intake manifold | 8.0s | |
| Diesel engines | |||||||
| 1.9 D SX | I4 | 1,929 cc | 65NaN at 4600 rpm | 119NaN at 2000 rpm | – | 17.8s – 17.8s | |
| TD 75 SX | I4 | 1,910 cc | 75NaN at 4200 rpm | 147NaN at 2750 rpm | – | 15.1s – 15.5s | |
| TD 100 SX/ELX | I4 | 1,910 cc | 100NaN at 4200 rpm | 2000NaN0 at 2250 rpm | – | 10.8s – 11.0s | |
| JTD 105 SX/ELX/GT | I4 | 1,910 cc | 105NaN at 4000 rpm | 2000NaN0 at 1500 rpm | From 1999 | 10.4s – 10.6s | |
| JTD 100 SX/ELX/GT | I4 | 1,910 cc | 100NaN at 4000 rpm | 2000NaN0 at 1500rpm | From 2001 to 2003 | 10.4s – 10.6s | |
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: