The Fiat Stilo is a small family car available as a 3-door and a 5-door hatchback, as well as an estate (Fiat Stilo MultiWagon), produced by the Italian automaker Fiat Automobiles. The Stilo 3-door and 5-door were launched in 2001 to replace the Fiat Bravo/Brava, with the Stilo MultiWagon following in 2002. The all-new Fiat Bravo is the successor of the Stilo in most markets, however the 5-door Stilo continued to be manufactured in Brazil until late 2010, where it was replaced by the New Bravo.
Originally, its petrol engines were the 1242 cc DOHC 16 valve engine also powering the Punto and Lancia Ypsilon with an output of 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) combined with a 6 speed manual gearbox, a 103 PS, 1.6 L with a 5 speed manual gearbox (The 1.6 was also available with a 6 speed manual gearbox, but these are quite rare) a 133 PS, 1.8 L, again with a 5 speed manual gearbox and a 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp), 5 cylinder, 2.4 L engine combined with Fiat's Selespeed 5 speed semi-automatic gearbox, also used on the Alfa Romeo 147. An 8 valve, 1.9 JTD unit with 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp), 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp), 116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp), 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) or 16 valve 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) diesel unit were/are also available.
The Stilo's styling received mixed reviews, with many journalists and enthusiasts criticising it as being too bland and too German-looking (somewhat ironically as the styling of the preceding Bravo and Brava had been criticised for being too "Italian"). Critics also attacked the car's excessive weight and its semi-rigid rear axle, which was seen as a step backwards from the acclaimed set-up used in the Bravo/Brava and which resulted in handling many found uninspired and uninvolving. The engine range, particularly the 1.2 litre petrol, was also criticised for being underpowered. The car's fuel economy was also seen as poor for its class, a result of the car's heavy weight and the transmission, which used very long gear ratios. Another point of criticism was the Selespeed gearbox, which was seen as too slow in its reactions and particularly inappropriate for the high-powered Abarth version. Nevertheless, the car won praise for its high levels of grip (aided by the unusually wide tires) and its brakes.
In the UK, different trim levels available are/were: Active, Active Aircon, Blue, Dynamic, Sporting, Abarth, GT, Prestigio, Xbox limited edition, Michael Schumacher and the Schumacher GP, with general modifications by British car specialists, Prodrive.
The Stilo was the first car worldwide to use the TRW Column-Drive Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPS) technology later introduced on the 2003 Nissan Micra & Renault Megane.
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