The all-new Fiat Bravo arrives in New Zealand today (10 September 2007) providing a new level of style, performance and excitement that only a car infused with Italian passion can deliver. "Five door family hatch backs are on the whole pretty ordinary so the Bravo is a breath of fresh air," says Lawrie Malatios, General Manager for Fiat in New Zealand. "Developed from the styling seen on the award-winning Punto, the Bravo has the effortless style for which Italy is so famed, with a breathtaking overall shape and fine detailing. It is powered by two unique engines, the new 1.4 litre T-Jet engine that pumps out 110 kW and which offers the ability to provide more acceleration literally at the press of a button, and the acclaimed 1.9 litre JTD Multijet diesel. Equipment levels are lavish and pricing is keen, so the Bravo will enable Fiat to take the next step up in our growth plans for the marque in New Zealand."

The New Bravo was created in just 18 months from design ‘freeze’ to production. To achieve this record-breaking development time, Fiat employed new, groundbreaking, state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) systems of unprecedented power and complexity, allowing the development of this new hatchback to be undertaken almost entirely through virtual analysis and engineering. So sophisticated is the computer software involved, that not only could Fiat’s engineers simulate every aspect of the Bravo’s structural, dynamic, NVH and accommodation characteristics to a level of unprecedented detail, but they were also able to create a virtual production-line to ensure consistently outstanding component and build quality. The benefits of these all-encompassing developments in virtual design and engineering are clearly evident in every aspect of the new Fiat Bravo, from consistently high build quality and class-leading passenger accommodation, to superior driving dynamics, minimal NVH levels and, of course, outstanding safety provision.

New Bravo has been awarded a maximum 5-star rating for adult occupant protection in the gruelling Euro NCAP crash test programme. Achieving 5 stars for adult occupant safety, 3 stars for child protection and a further 2 for pedestrian protection, the new Fiat recorded 33 points, placing it among the leaders of its category in terms of passive, active and preventive safety.

Initially Fiat will offer two versions of the Bravo in New Zealand, with additional models to arrive in 2008, including self-shifting gearbox versions. Both launch models feature the top ‘Sport’ level of trim and equipment. The choice is between the advanced 1.4 litre 110 kW T-Jet petrol engine at $36,990 and the 1.9 litre 110 kW JTD Turbo Diesel at $39,990.

Augmenting an interior design founded on the fundamental pre-requisites of class-leading space, exemplary build quality, and visual and tactile sophistication, the new Fiat’s equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board.
 

ABS anti-lock braking, remote central locking, driver and passenger front and side airbags, electric front windows, a CD player, Dualdrive electric power steering and Follow Me Home headlamps are fitted as standard. This is further boosted in the launch sport versions with dual zone climate AirCon, cruise control, the innovative Blue&Me telematics and communications Bluetooth system and well as sports seats, alloy wheels and body kit. Interior trim is not just good to look at; it also provides a wonderful tactile experience, with different textures to delight on touch for interior trim and upholstery.

The 1.4 litre T-Jet 110 kW turbocharged petrol engine, makes its debut in the Bravo. This is the first example of a new family of turbocharged petrol units developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies to combine the sporting performance and low NVH characteristics of a petrol engine with fuel economy comparable to a diesel unit and CO2 emission levels which readily comply with increasingly stringent European regulation. Through cubic capacity downsizing allied to the adoption of the smallest possible turbocharger, Fiat’s responsive new 110 kW 1.4 litre T-Jet engine combines performance equal to or better than a conventionally aspirated 1.8/2.0 litre petrol engine, but with a reduction of between 10% and 20% in fuel consumption and emissions.

The T-Jet engine offers an ‘overboost’ button located on the centre console in Sport versions, will deliver an impressive 230 Nm at 3000 rpm, endowing the Bravo with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 208 km/h. Notwithstanding such lively performance, this superbly responsive powerplant will still return 7.1 l/100 km in the combined cycle and restrict CO2 emissions to just 167 g/km.

The 110 kW 1.9 litre MultiJet unit in the New Bravo boasts an impressive 305 Nm torque delivered at just 2000 rpm, allowing acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 9.0 seconds and a top speed of 209 km/h, whilst returning a fuel consumption of less than 5.6 litres in the combined cycle.

With a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating to its name, the new Fiat Bravo builds on an already impressive safety portfolio with the full range of braking, traction control and stability systems available on the market today: ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution, ASR to limit wheel spin during acceleration, MSR to modulate engine brake torque whilst changing down, and a sophisticated ESP to control vehicle stability through bends, which includes hydraulic brake assistance and a Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts.