The Company
Fiat has always stuck rigidly by its qualities as a small-car manufactuer. In typical Italian fashion, it has produced city cars for the masses, which are practical, nippy, and well-placed to deal with the traffic mayhem found in Meditteranean cities.
The manufacturer has recently recovered somewhat from financial difficulties, thanks surely to a strong, attractive, dynamic range of vehicles. These, and the addition of the new Fiat 500, have strengthened Fiat's reputation in the small-car arena.
The CarItalian Styling and Quality:
So what of the Bravo? Well it isn't especially small. Certainly it's no family saloon by appearance; it maintains some of the characteristics of the Punto 'Grande' with a lean-forward 'can do' stance, attractive front grille and purposeful-looking headlamps. It's around the same size as a Ford Focus, though has a few more 'humps' and 'bulges' than the sharper, slightly more conventional hatchback from Ford.
Fiat is keen to point to the Bravo's spacious interior, and standard 5-doors as evidence of saloon-like capabilities, brought into the hatchback arena. Fiat also talks about sportiness, style, refinement, city-going abilities. This car is poised for a number of markets- maybe a tall order for a car carrying the burden of it's predeccessor; the old Bravo was a disappointment in almost every area.
The one we're testing is the 1.9 Multijet Turbo-Diesel. Prices start at £16,300. Reasonable, but this could buy a similar-powered VW Golf, with a few blanks on the options list. So there's an instant rival, and a potent one at that. German cars are known for reliability, refinement, quality; Fiats, aren't associated with these quite so often.
Interior Quality and Styling:
Inside there is a mixture of good styling, yet questionable quality. It's a hotch-potch mix of good and bad. Nice centre console, systlish dash, and handsome stereo (with an array of functions, including voice activation). However, 'around the edges', the expanse of black plastic is of poor quality, and the door trim appears to be covered in rubber, which marks easily. There are some panel gaps around the handbrake, which lifts so far it could be mistaken for a piece of railway apparatus.
On the whole, it isn't a bad place to be, and a massive step forward in terms of style and overall quality. You also feel cocooned in the drivers seat; it feels bulky- safe. The seats are fairly comfortable too, although there isn't that much space in the rear.
Visibility and Manoevring:
Ordinarily the headrest wouldn't be a problem. It's large, and unlike most cars, you can't help but lean against it through design. This is how we should drive, to prevent whiplash in an accident- so a good thing then. Yes, until you need to reverse. The lean forward 'can do' styling is great, until it is put in reverse.
The angled rear windows means it's hard to judge alignment with a white line, say, and the tiny, sloping rear window hinders rear visibility. Worse still, the Bravo's enourmous headrest cannot be negotiated. The best way to reverse this car is with mirrors; although some people are not confident doing this.
However an excellent feature in terms of visibility and manoevring is the Bravo's fog light illumination. Turn the wheel so far, and a fog light will illuminate on the appropriate side. A positive Fiat safety feature to let people know which way you're going, and especially handy when turning bends or parking in the dark.
How is the Bravo to Drive?
On the road the interior is well-behaved. Seats are comfortable over longer journeys, and instruments fall readily to hand. It is fairly solid, with few rattles and squeaks- although you would be hard pressed to hear these over the engine.
The diesel is powerful, with a satisfying-sounding turbo which really does punch the car along. However there are quieter, more refined diesels around. Gear change is good however, and pick-up between gears similarly pleasing.
Initially the power of the diesel is surprising, not least because it may highlight the car's handling. Whilst the steering is light (and lighter still with 'city mode' engaged), it is not sharp or responsive. It does make the car 'wallow' somewhat. On country roads it isn't so bad, and the car is reasonably grippy, with a good firm chassis and solid ride.
Fiat Economy
It's very economical too- in general city driving, it averaged 42mpg, which increased to 48mpg on the motorway. It generally gets about at under 1500RPM, or up to 3000RPM at 60-70mph on the motorway, so good for 'eco-runs'.
'Bravo' for in-car Technology! :
The car is also packed with technology, from warning texts in the middle of the dash, to voice-activated stereo with a range of audio features. There is also the 'city' button, which lightens the steering for town driving. This model has electric mirrors and electric windows in the front.
The Bravo in Summary:
Overall, this is a real improvement on previous offerings from Fiat, and a good effort in designing a refined, larger, hatchback. However it is not the jack-of all trades Fiat herald it to be. It does not have the refinement of a saloon, or the space, and while it looks sporty, it is let down by drab handling. The quality is there, however it falls short of the German rival, feeling slightly cheap. It's saving graces are that it looks stylish, and slightly unconventional, as an Italian car should, and it is well-equipped, well-powered, and economical.
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