31.08.2007 FIAT BRAVO SET TO ARRIVE IN NEW ZEALAND NEXT MONTH

Fiat’s newest C-segment model will arrive in New Zealand in September and, unlike Australia, it will be wearing its European name, the Fiat Bravo. On the other side of the Tasman, Fiat have been forced by another car maker that has the local rights to Bravo name to use the name Ritmo for the stylish new Fiat five door family, but in New Zealand the new Fiat will carry its global moniker.

“With Fiat being out of the Australian market for so long, the name of the new car was fairly academic for them,” says Lawrie Malatios, General Manager for Fiat in New Zealand. “But here we were very keen to use the Bravo name as the previous model to wear this name was one of the most successful Fiat models in New Zealand and we wanted to build on the warmth already felt for the Bravo name with the new model. We were, therefore, very pleased when we were given the clearance to use the Bravo name here.”

Although full details of the new model will not be available until it arrives in September, Fiat has confirmed that for the New Zealand market, the two top models have been chosen, the Fiat Bravo T-Jet and the Fiat Bravo JTD 1.9. The T-Jet designation alludes to an amazing new engine, which is small and light, but has a big heart. Although it is just 1.4 litres, it produces a remarkable 110 kW and 206 Nm of torque, with ability to provide overboost from its advanced turbocharger to lift Torque to 230 Nm.
 

FIAT BRAVO 150 BHP T-JET

Fiat has confirmed that for the New Zealand market, the two top models have been chosen, the Fiat Bravo T-Jet and the Fiat Bravo JTD 1.9.

FIAT BRAVO 150 BHP T-JET

The Fiat Bravo is set to arrive in New Zealand during September and, unlike in Australia where it will be known as the Ritmo, the C-segment model will be able to wear its European name.


The overboost arrives – literally – at the press of button. And as would be expected from the company that invented the benchmark common rail/direct injection diesel engine system, the Fiat Bravo when it arrives in New Zealand will be fitted with the latest Multijet version, boasting 110 kW and 305 Nm of torque.

Both versions of the Fiat Bravo will be comprehensively equipped with a full range of advanced safety, comfort and convenience features. “The arrival of the Fiat Bravo is the start of a very exciting period for Fiat in New Zealand,” says Mr Malatios. “The Fiat Bravo will join the [Grande] Punto to form the core of the Fiat range and then, in March next year, the Fiat 500 will arrive and this combination of the 500 as the figure head and the [Grande] Punto and Bravo as the volume models will lift Fiat to new levels in New Zealand.”
 

Related articles
13.08.2007

During a glamorous evening ceremony the Fiat Bravo model was launched in Singapore at the home of local importer TTS Eurocars emerging through a blizzard of red, white and green balloons

Photos © 2007 Interfuture Media/Italiaspeed

http://www.carsfromitaly.net