First drive of the just-arrived Fiat Bravo

As I drove to Yas Island to test the new (to the Middle East) Fiat Bravo, I realised this would be the first time I'd driven a Fiat in about 25 years. I'd had a lot of fun in my 70bhp 127 Sport in the mid-Eighties, and a quarter of a century on, here was my next small Fiat — which to my relief was blue in colour, not the luminous orange of my Eighties steed.

What's more, I can safely say that the five-door Bravo is a whole lot better looking than a 127 Sport. In fact I think it's better looking than the other cars in its class. When I drove the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider in January, I commented on the style that Italian designers seem to manage so effortlessly, and my first reaction when I approached the Bravo was that it simply looks good.

That impression continued inside the cabin; putting a faux carbon fibre dash into a car could create an appallingly tacky effect, yet Fiat has pulled it off well and the overall impact is lacking neither in style nor detail. Nor, for the money (between Dh62,900 and Dh82,900 across the range) is the Bravo lacking in equipment. In the base model are six airbags, ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution, along with Fiat's Dual Logic six-speed gearbox with manual override. The Comfort and Luxury pack models benefit from additional Bluetooth integration and USB compatibility, with controls on the steering wheel, for the standard CD/MP3 player. There's also an Electronic Stability Control package and front fog lamps, and all models enjoy a five-star NCAP safety rating.

One thing my old 127 and the Bravo do have in common is that they both proved to be fun to drive. The Bravo's engine may only be a 1.4-litre unit, but it produces a healthy 120bhp and 206Nm of torque (the latter at 1,750rpm) thanks to it being turbocharged, giving the owner the dual benefits of a lively little engine and good fuel economy — 29.4mpg in urban driving. However, that figure was probably obtained using the gearbox in economy mode and if you can stomach driving the car that way in town, you're more patient than I am. In manual mode the gearbox is great, allowing you to wring the maximum performance from the engine, though this is no supercar and in the absence of sophisticated engine management, you should momentarily back off to ensure a smooth shift.

Unfortunately I can't tell you how to ensure a smooth change in automatic economy. Pulling away from traffic lights, you'll be in third gear by the time you've crossed a four lane road, the revs barely reaching four figures before the gearbox decides it's time for you to lurch forward in your seat as it changes down another cog. With apologies to planet Earth, I can't recommend economy mode.

At six foot tall, I was able to sit comfortably in a good driving position on the supportive seats, with my head well clear of the front sunroof frame, (the Luxury spec car features front and rear sunroofs) and the steering adjusted for both rake and reach — not always the case in cars at this price.

In fact the only gripe I had about the Bravo's cabin was the AC, which was perfectly adequate when the car was moving but was cut off when stationary, leaving me sweltering. I was informed that my demo car was fitted with a European spec compressor and that this issue will be rectified for cars sold in the Gulf; prospective owners should make their own judgement when testing.

Fiat claims the Bravo is class leading in terms of internal space, but with the seat pushed back to suit my frame, there wasn't really a lot of room for the rear passengers' legs.

While the Bravo would be fine, and fun, for nipping around town with four friends in the car, I suspect if you drove them to Al Ain and back, those friendships may become a little strained.

The Bravo is a good looking, nimble and well equipped car, and with Fiat now serious in their efforts to promote their brand in the Gulf, if you are looking for something a little ‘out of the ordinary" then it's well worth a test drive.

Specs & rating

Model Fiat Bravo

Engine 1.4-litre turbo FWD Transmission Six-speed auto

Max power 120bhp @ 5,000rpm

Max torque 206Nm @ 1,750rpm

Top speed 197kph

0-100kph 9.6sec

Price Dh62,900 (base)

Interior

Exterior

Trim

Transmission

Engine

Performance

Appeal

UAE friendly

Plus Base model packed with features like six airbags and ABS

Minus Gearbox

1,750

The revs at which the 1.4-litre turbocharged lump generates 206Nm of torque