Test Drive Fiat Bravo since 2007 Hatchback

Pret- A - Porte

FIAT BRAVO SX.
Front of Fiat Bravo is very similar to his sister named BRAVA, but this is apparently the only perspective when their closest kinship rushes into the eyes. We will not compare the appearance of these cars, of course, the Fiat concern carefully worked and the 3- and 5-door car. We were more like the 3-door hatchback.
 
The side lines of his body are rather rapid, very dynamically looks like a raised rear window.
 
Friendly seem rounded forms of feed with the rear lanterns assembled under the drop-like glass.
 
Seeing this pretty car, I want to get inside. There are no questions about the appointment of any organ authority - everything is familiar and rationally. The seat has two familiar convenient adjustments and good lateral support. Steering wheel? Clear case, with an amplifier, pleasant to the touch, the right section and diameter. Brakes? Of course, with the ABS - here is the pictogram. Turning, light, wipers, mirrors, heater?
 
Everything is simple and understandable. Music? Stop. Must be. Looking around close to the panel, finally find. The radio was not made as a familiar rectangular block, its fragments are scattered in the center of the top of the front panel on a rather large space.
 
Well, we figured out with music, you could go. But before that they decided to inspect the rear seats.
 
It is not very convenient to get to them because of the lack of rear doors, but, overcoming some difficulties, two passengers will be quite free. Looking at BRAVO outside, you will never believe that here you can do not touch the knees, but it really is. The trunk of this model is not very spacious, and when closing and rear doors have to apply great effort.
 
Well, it seems, I figured out everything we touch. Immediately note the excellent clarity of the inclusion of gears. Let's try to switch quickly. The dynamics of the acceleration of Bravo with a 1.6 liter engine and a capacity of 103 horseshrum cannot be called, but as soon as the turns are turned over 3.5 thousand, the car is noticeably resolved. In addition, the engine is enough, it is why from 60 km / h can stick the fifth, if, of course, you are not a very active driver. In urban mode, special attention is needed - the car is very sensitive to the slightest infringement, and the informativeness of the hydraulic agent in the okolonul zone is extremely small. BRAVO suspension does not make excessive stiffness, but also does not allow the car to swing on longitudinal waves. We had to use the brakes in the city quite often and intensively, but the ABS of the time was not turned on. Well, very well, we move to a quiet winding track.
 
There are also problems with the hydraulic fluorescence and are especially noticeable and unpleasant. It's hard to drive a car, practically without feeling the helm. ABS also showed himself not from the best side. Slowing it provided very good, but the car with a noticeable delay reacted to the turns of the ram.
 
Despite this, the car handling is rather worthy of praise. Of course, if the speed of entering the turn turned out to be overly large, the front of the car began to fall out on the outer side of the turn, but it happened very smoothly. Quick reset and an increase in thrust at this moment provoked the car into slipping from the trajectory by all four wheels. Such behavior will make it possible to cope with the car, not even a very experienced driver, and those who love jogging will be able to take turns very effectively. It is worth noting, the truth is that Bravo's shod was in Goodyear Eagle. Perhaps on the rubber worse, the car would behave not as stopped.
 
PEUGEOT 306 SL.
This model appeared 2 years earlier than BRAVO, but, comparing the appearance of cars, you might think that between them the difference of ten years. Peugeot has obviously outdated design, but very strict and calm. Fiat ultramoden, but behind its wheel you can easily imagine a tanned young man in Bermuda, but a person in a suit and a diplomat - in any way.
 
Unlike BRAVO, which was well-equipped, Peugeot, which was given to us, was practical.
 
The only luxury is the power windows in the front doors.
 
An attempt to start a car to success did not lead. What's the matter? Gasoline seems to be, the starter turns properly ...
 
Soon with great surprise, they found a suction handle. Not only is the carburetor engine, so also a manual sacrifice - explicit anachronism for a modern European car, even if the middle class.
 
Touch. The air damper has to be kept completely open, since the cold engine stalls with every turn of revolutions. 1.4 liters are not enough to ensure good overclocking speakers. On the acceleration and elasticity of the Peugeot 306 movement reminds VAZ front-receptionists. Of course, Zaporozheya Muscovites remain behind, but with more serious technique, the 306th cannot argue.
 
The rigid suspension will be annoying lovers of a comfortable ride, but she clearly enjoy active drivers.
 
In urban conditions, the suspension responds to all the irregularities of the road surface, perfectly informing the driver about what is happening under the wheels, but not particularly annoying. But the beauty of the suspension of the 306th can only be felt in polygonal conditions. In the extreme case, an empty country road is powered by turning. This is where everything begins, here it is here that you understand completely the character of this car! Peugeot cars have always been famous for their handling, and the 306th model is no exception. Excellent suspension, magnificent coupling quality MICHELIN MXT tires, from somewhere that has emerged a stock of the engine traction - all this ensures excellent movement in limit modes. In the turn, the car clearly holds a given trajectory, which moves along the rails, and very late and the smoothly developing demolition of the front axle is easily adjusted with gas.
 
Of course, Peugeot 306 SL was created for a unpretentious driver who loving sometimes ride with the breeze. Aesley to this modification Add an amplifier of the steering, ashtray and a radio tape recorder, a good economical version of the city car will be released.
 
Cars are approximately the same. But they are designed to completely different consumers. And this is not all that can be found in a small middle class. In principle, even the most intentional client will be able to find a car to taste. The exception is only the sizes - lovers of large cars are ignored.
 
Dmitry Soskov, Grigory Kuznetsov
 
 

A source: Magazine Motor [№9 / 1996]