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Don Booker MBE finds an
exciting Fiat
 It takes a long time for people to get confidence in a car’s badge, in fact, it could take more than a decade.
Fiat cars are producing some of the best models available and sales are rapidly improving, but there are some drivers who recall the time way back when there was a rust problem.
Those days have been gone for a long time and if only the Italian maker could get more bums on seats for the “Fiat experience”, sales would be still higher.
There present Bravo range is one of the best I have ever tested. After a 3,000 mile stint at the wheel, the Bravo is a delight to drive at a price thousands of pounds less than other market sector cars.
I find the seat belt anchorages could do with being longer and the speedometer set more to the centre of the console or fitted to the right.
Now folks will say: “Yes, but your re-sale value will not be as high as with other cars”. All I can say is that you can be thousands of pounds in pocket at the start, by paying less for the Fiat.
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The five-door Bravo has been on sale for over a year and took just 18 months to design and produce. The build quality is good and so is the accommodation. Its looks are stunning and is a real eye-catcher.
Although always a lover of Italian styling, I find people hard to convince that the Bravo is a Fiat. People are funny.
If you are one of those drivers who pay extra special attention to passive, active and preventive safety, then the Bravo is among the European leaders in its market sector.
There are 17 versions with prices from £10,995 to £16,355 with five trim levels, Bravo, Active, Active Sport, Dynamic and Sport. The specification is fantastic for all versions with anti-lock brakes, remote central locking, driver and passenger front and side air bags, electric front windows, CD player and follow-me-home headlamps – even down to the entry version.
Fiat also include at no extra charge their Dualdrive electric power steering. It is something elderly and women drivers will appreciate, because one press of a button on the fascia and the “city” sign illuminates to make parking and driving in town, city or supermarket car parks so much easier.
The quality of seating is excellent and very spacious for all limbs in the front and rear of the car. Life on board is luxurious with plenty of storage places and a nice double decker storage console and armrest.
Keys and sunglasses are well catered for on the fascia which is neat, practical and not fussy. The fascia is of such a high standard that it would not be out of place in cars costing £20,000-plus.
The boot is big, with under floor storage for tools and bits and pieces.
The only problem with the Bravo is deciding which power unit to have under the bonnet. I went for the 90bhp version of Fiat’s 1.4-litre Fire petrol engine which has a top speed of 111mph, covers 0-62mph in 12.5 seconds and gives consumption of over 42mpg.
There are six petrol and diesel power plants, but my 1.4 was adequate. The 1.9 Multijet 120 offers over 53mpg.
When it comes to riding comfort, again I could not fault the Bravo. It took every type of road surface in its wheel tracks without bother or feeling to passengers.
The looks are exciting and the engines sporty. There is even a mew Fiat badge to capture the hearts of potential newcomers to the marque.
Get your bum in the driving seat and experience a car that deserves better recognition.
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