Fiat India has been around a long time — you only have to see the taxis in Mumbai for proof. However, their second innings with the Palio wasn’t exactly a dream run — Fiat Europe was in a bit of a tight spot as well. However, Fiat is resurgent now and Fiat India has decided to take the fight back to its competitors with bold plans, one of which is plucking the Bravo straight off the streets of Turin and plonking it on the Indian roads. This has more to do with image than sales. The Bravo’s mission (along with the Cinquecento) is to tell the Indians that Fiat means more than just ‘Palio’ and ‘Padmini’. It is to drive home the point that this Italian carmaker also makes some stunning-looking cars. And stunning the Bravo certainly is.

The wedge-like waistline which rises sharply to the rear, gives the five-door Bravo a seriously sporty and svelte look. The gorgeous-looking front and rear lights add only add to its appeal. The Bravo’s design is clearly inspired by the Grande Punto and it looks like a scaled-up version of Fiat’s popular hatchback. That’s a good thing. When the Grande Punto goes on sale in India next January, any association with the premium Bravo could only help.

But what’s it like to drive? The Bravo has no made-for-India suspension, no beefed-up air-con and the ground clearance hasn’t been increased. What you get in Italy is what you get here. Except, of course for the right-hand-drive layout. The drive from Fiat’s plant in Ranjangaon back to Mumbai was enough to find out if the Bravo could hack it on Indian roads — and it did so with ease. The first big surprise is that despite its low-profile tyres on big wheels, the ride quality is amazingly supple and well cushioned. The quiet suspension, which doesn’t crash through every pothole, adds to the pliant feel. At high speeds on the undulating and patchy Chakan road, the suspension felt a touch soft and perhaps a stiffer setup would have worked better. Sharp-edged potholes can be felt but there's just a muted thud from the wheel wells. The electric steering is fairly accurate but it lacks feel and doesn’t communicate too well. As a result you don’t feel completely in touch with the road. There’s a button on the dash which varies the degree of steering assistance to suit city or high-speed driving.

Fiat will sell the Bravo with the 1.9 JTD engine which delivers a substantial 148bhp. With so much power, the Fiat’s ability to rapidly cover ground is astonishing.The strong kick from the turbo-diesel propels you to speeds that are ludicrous on Indian roads but we aren’t complaining. This engine however has a narrow power band and power delivery isn’t seamless. Upto 2000rpm it is pretty feisty but beyond that mark all hell breaks loose for another 2000rpm at which point power rapidly tails off. In the mixed traffic conditions we face, it’s an effort to keep the engine on the boil but the slick gearbox makes the job easier.

The Bravo’s interiors are enormously impressive. It is stylish, well built and has lots of neat touches like the sporty-looking analogue dials and the built-in USB port. But if you’re thinking of being chauffeur-driven in this one, think again. The rear seat cushion is too low and the narrow windows and thick C-pillar make the rear seat feel gloomy. This is a car meant to be driven.

Bringing the Bravo to India may be an experiment to show Indian consumers how good Fiats have become, but at around Rs 22 lakh a pop, it seems a little expensive. How many takers will Fiat find for a car that costs substantially more than an Accord and smaller than a Civic? This is a car that customers will purchase with their hearts; not their heads.

spec check

FIAT BRAVO

Price: Rs 21-22 lakh (est)*
L/W/H: 4336mm/ 1792mm/ 1498mm
Wheelbase: 2600mm
Kerb weight: 1360kg
Engine: 4 cyls inline, 1910cc, diesel
Installation: Front, transverse, front-wheel drive,
Power: 148bhp@4000rpm
Torque: 31.1kgm@2000rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Fuel tank: 58 litres
Brakes (F/R): Ventilated disc/disc
Tyre size: 205/55 R16
On sale Mid-2008