Fiat Rumored to Bring Bravo Successor to the U.S. Market

The launch of the Fiat 500 in the U.S. market has whetted the Italian company’s appetite, as according to reports, Fiat is now considering the addition of a second model to its North-American range, the successor to the Bravo. As we wrote last month, the next-generation Bravo will take the shape of a small crossover with Fiat looking to emulate the success of Nissan's Qashqai.

The 500's early sales figures have exceeded the firm’s expectations despite initial concerns about relaunching the Fiat brand in the U.S. with such a small car. The partially open-top 500C was added to the range recently, with more powerful Abarth versions to follow in the very near future.

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Fiat Tries to Revive Bravo Sales with Better Equipped and Lower Priced MyLife Version

Fiat's slow-selling Bravo compact model has received a new version, called “MyLife” that comes with some minor styling updates, additional standard features and more competitive prices. On the outside, the Bravo MyLife sports a glossy black finish for the upper and lower grilles, B-pillars and fog light framings, plus new 16-inch two-tone wheels and chromed door handles and grille borders. The Golf-sized hatchback is available in two colors, Distinct Grey and Superb Red. Read more »

Fiat to Replace Slow-selling Bravo with a Small Crossover in 2013

Following in the footsteps of Nissan and its Qashqai small crossover that proved to be a success for the Japanese automaker, Fiat has decided that the Bravo's replacement won't be a conventional hatchback as initially planned, but a high-riding C-segment hatch.

The decision was made at the end of last month and the new car will launch in 2013, according to inside sources quoted by Autonews Europe. The Fiat Bravo didn't make it in the list of Europe's 10 best sold compact cars in 2010, whereas the Nissan Qashqai placed fifth, with 216,091 units. In comparison, Fiat sold 44,850 Bravos, while the segment leader, Volkswagen's Golf, enjoyed sales of 501,671 units.

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Fiat Debuts Uno Cabrio and Mio Concepts along with New Uno Sporting at Sao Paulo [Live Photos]

In addition to being one of Fiat's most important markets, the Italian automaker is also getting ready to celebrate its 35 years in Brazil next year, so it comes to no surprise that the company is exhibiting a total of 30 vehicles at this week's Sao Paulo Auto Show. The Uno Cabrio and Mio [or FCC 111] concept models and the new Uno Sporting and Bravo production models, are among the highlights of Fiat's display.

Beginning with the Uno Cabrio, this concept study is a two-seater drop top variant of the South American market Uno supermini. In addition to losing the Uno's top and rear seats, the quirky looking roadster model also sports an aggressive bodykit with newly designed front and rear bumpers and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.

The engine of choice is the same one as of Punto T-Jet, a 152HP 1.4-liter turbo which is capable of carrying the Cabrio to a top speed close to 200 km/h [124mph].

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Fiat Bravo Hatch Receives Minor Updates for 2010

Fiat has announced details on its 2010 Bravo hatch that has received a few minor changes here and there for the model year. On the outside, the Bravo's upper and lower front grilles have been re-trimmed and are now offered either in black or chrome finish while the headlamps on all models are smoked.

Furthermore, the mirrors and door handles are finished in the color as the body on all trim levels while Fiat added two new colors to the palette (a different shade of gray and a pear finish).

A new set of available optional packages and the refreshed designs and colors for the seat and door panel upholstery complete the list of changes.

Fiat said that despite the upgrades, prices for the 2010 Bravo remain at the same levels as the 2009 model ranging in Italy between €16,650 (about US$24,200) for the Active 1.4 90HP and €24,300 (around US$35,300) for the 2.0 Multijet 16v 165HP DPF Emotion and Sport.

The Bravo, which shares its underpinnings with the Lancia Delta (but not the Alfa Romeo Giulietta which is built on the Fiat Group's new C-Evo platform) competes in the European C-segment against the likes of the Opel Astra, Ford Focus, VW Golf and Renault Megane.