Celebrity big Bravo! CHRIS RUSSON takes a look at the new Fiat Bravo which went on sale this month

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), June 29, 2007

Byline: CHRIS RUSSON

BIG is the buzzword at Fiat as the rejuvenated Italian car-maker launches a rival to the Ford Focus. Hot on the heels of the Grande Punto, Fiat's best-selling car for years - and justifiably so - comes a new Bravo five-door hatchback.

Styled to impress - it looks very much like a grown-up Punto - the new Bravo has gone on sale this month and will become the largest medium-sized hatch on the market.

And size matters, for the Bravo's brief is not only to take on the Focus but also the likes of the Peugeot 307, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf. The Bravo is a five-door model only, and when it comes to bottom-line marketing it is going to appear expensive.

The Bravo replaces the current Fiat Stilo and is light years ahead of the previous model to bear the name back in the 1990s when it was the three-door version of the Bravo/Brava combination.

Just two engine sizes will be available, 1.4-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel, although there will be different power outputs. The basic 1.4 will offer 90bhp but all new turbo versions are being developed capable of pumping out 120 and 150bhp.

With plenty of mid-range power, these T-Jet mini turbos are going to be great fun to drive, offering good performance, good economy and low emissions.

It is the ideal combination in this day and age and makes the 1.4 engine a credible alternative in this size of car. Not only does it make the Bravo zip along, there is also a nice sporty note from the exhaust.

Official performance figures are unavailable as the T-Jet engines are still undergoing final approval tests. But expect fuel economy higher than 40mpg and a 0 to 60 time of around 8.5 seconds from the 150bhp engine .

The diesel is Fiat's tried and tested 1.9-litre Multijet, available in 120 and 150bhp formats.

The higher-powered version kicks in with a to 60mph acceleration of nine seconds and will return 50mpg overall with low CO2 emissions of 149g/km.

Although not quite as lively, the 120bhp Multijet has the edge with economy of 53mpg and even lower exhaust outputs of 139g/km.

It all adds up to making the Bravo a fine performer and the ride is sharp and enjoyable . Where the Bravo scores is with its looks - and in a new paint finish called Maranello Red - named after Ferrari's home town - it is stunning.

The Bravo also marks the introduction of a new logo for Fiat which ditches the familiar blue background in favour of red - a design not seen on Fiats for many a year.

With the navigation screen fitted, the Bravo cockpit is akin to an airliner's flight deck - that's how advanced it has become.

The overall size of the car makes for good room, front and back, and the luggage space of 400 litres is the biggest in the class.

CAPTION(S):

MAJOR ADVANCE - the Fiat Bravo is more than a match for its rivals