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.
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 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 R5 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 HGT 155 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). 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 Bravo/Brava underpinnings was launched in 1998: the curious looking Fiat Multipla, a six-seater compact MPV.
The Bravo/Brava received a mild makeover in 1999 but there were few real changes except the replacement of the 1.4 12-valve engine with a 1.2 16-valve engine from the smaller Fiat Punto and a restyling of the dashboard. The 1.9 turbodiesel was also phased out in favour of 1.9 JTD diesel units (now with and 105 PS (77 kW)), to give even better economy and refinement.
By 2001, however, the Bravo/Brava range was looking increasingly dated in the face of new competition like the Ford Focus and Peugeot 307. The Bravo/Brava was discontinued in late 2001, and replaced by the all-new Fiat Stilo, which would be ultimately a sales flop in most countries.
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