Fiat Bravo/Brava

"Brava" can also refer to the earlier Fiat 131

The Fiat Bravo and Fiat Brava are small family cars produced by the Italian automaker Fiat from 1995 to 2001. The name was revived for 2007 with an all-new replacement for the Stilo; the new version will use only the Bravo name and is not available with three doors. The earlier Brava/Bravo models were effectively two versions of the same car, the Bravo a three-door hatchback and the Brava a longer five-door hatchback. The name Brava was used in the United States on the earlier Fiat 131.

History

The Bravo and Brava Mark 1 were replacements for Fiat's successful but ageing Tipo model. The cars came with all new engines, the base model using a 1.4 L 12-valve engine producing . Three other petrol engines were available: the 1.6 L 16-valve; the 1.8 L 16-valve engine and the top of the range 2.0 L 20-valve R5 unit used in the HGT model, which produced and which could take the car to a maximum speed of , later in 1999 the HGT 155 model replaced the older model, power rising to . Two turbodiesel engines were also available: both were 1.9 L four cylinder units, one producing and the other making . Bravo/Brava was voted European Car of the Year on its launch.

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...
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