Fiat Bravo and Brava

Fiat Bravo Fiat Brava
Fiat Bravo
Overview
Also called	Fiat Bravissimo (Japan)
Production	1995–2001
Designer	Centro Stile Fiat (1992)[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car (C)
Body style	3-door hatchback (Bravo) 5-door hatchback (Brava)
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Type Two platform (Tipo Due)[2]
Related	Fiat Marea Fiat Multipla
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100.0 in)
Length	4,020 mm (158.3 in) (Bravo) 4,190 mm (165.0 in) (Brava)
Width	1,750 mm (68.9 in)
Height	1,420 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 2001. They were effectively two versions of the same car, the Bravo a three-door hatchback and the Brava a five-door hatchback.

The Bravo name was revived in 2007 with the all-new Fiat Bravo, a replacement of the Stilo. The new version is available only with five doors. The name Brava was also used in the United States in the 1980s on the earlier Fiat 131.

History

3 door Fiat Bravo

3 door Fiat Bravo

5 door Fiat Brava

5 door Fiat Brava rear

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. Even the interior trim and many of the body colours were unique to either one version or the other. 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-5 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), later in 1999 the 155 HGT model replaced the older model, power rising to 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.^[3]

In 1996, the Bravo/Brava chassis spawned saloon and estate versions, badged Fiat Marea, a car which was aimed at Ford Mondeo and Opel/Vauxhall Vectra buyers, which won praise for its large boot. Another car based on the Bravo/Brava underpinnings was launched in 1998: the curious-looking Fiat Multipla, a six-seater compact MPV. In 1999 the Bravo/Brava received a mild makeover and it was discontinued in late 2001 being replaced by the all-new Fiat Stilo.

1999 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.

Bravo/Brava Special Editions

Anniversaire : Introduced in 1997 for both cars, with only 1100 pieces, celebrating Fiat's win of 1996 Car of the Year for the Bravo/Brava duo, for the Western Europe market. It was a 1.6 16V SX version, with metallic paint, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, front passenger airbag, ABS and a CD Player instead of the Tape player.

Evening Vale : Introduced in March 2000 for the Brava for the Western Europe market. It was a 1.2 16V/1.6 16V/1.9 JTD SX version with special 14" wheel trims and automatic A/C.

Formula : Introduced in 2001, for the Bravo, for Great Britain. It was a 1.2 16V SX version with the GT Trim's 15" wheels, GT's rear spoiler, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, CD Player and remote central locking.

Limited Edition : From 2000 onwards, for the Hungarian market. Available for the 1.2 16V and 1.6 16V versions, it featured metallic paint, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, a passenger airbag and automatic A/C. The 1.6 16V also featured ABS.

Special Editon : Limited Edition, but only for the Bravo.

Steel : Last Bravo/Brava models, a "farewell" of October 2001 for the Western European market before the duo was discontinued. Offered in 1.2 16V, 1.6 16V and 1.9 JTD SX models, it featured Metallic Gray/Black/Blue paint, GT's 15" alloy wheels (Bravo) or Special 14" Wheel Trims (Brava), GT's rear spoiler, darkened rear lights (Bravo), "Steel" logo in the C Column, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, passenger airbag, automatic A/C, CD Player, GT's steering wheel and shift knob wrapped in leather, two-tone black/blue seats, white GT cluster and silver gt console and dash trim.

Suite : Available only for the 1.6/1.8/1.9 JTD Bravo GT for the Swiss market, in Blue or Black metallic colours, featuring special 7-spoke 15" alloy wheels, the GT's rear spoiler, Suite logo in the C-Column, front passenger airbag, side airbags, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, automatic A/C, remote central locking, a high-quality 4-speaker CD player with a CD Changer, GT leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, silver center console and dash trim and a full leather interior in cream, dark brown, dark blue or black.

Trofeo : Avaible only for the 1.2 Bravo SX, for Western European markets, for the year 2000. Similar to the UK "Formula", it featured metallic Gray/Blue/Black/Sprint Blue/Sky Blue paint, GT's 15" alloy wheels painted with special gray paint, GT's rear spoiler, Trofeo written on the front wings, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights, automatic A/C, GT's leather shift-knob and steering wheel, white GT's cluster, silver center console and dash trim, blue/black two-tone seats and door trim.

Yellow : Hungarian 1.2 16V SX Bravo, featuring the GT's alloy wheels, electrically adjustable and heated mirrors, fog lights and only available in a distinct yellow.

^[4]

HGT Abarth

In late 1999 Fiat introduced the Abarth accessories for the Bravo, available were more aggressive wheels and bodykit, performance was the same as the 1.8 HGT model. Was produced from 2000 to 2002.

Engines

Brazil

The Brava was produced until 2003 in Brazil for the home market and export, but in the former the engines available were:

• Brava SX/ELX 1.6 16v 106 PS (78 kW)
• Brava HGT 1.8 16v (127 PS (93 kW) or 132 PS (97 kW))

References

External links

• Media related to Fiat Bravo at Wikimedia Commons
• Media related to Fiat Brava at Wikimedia Commons