Bravo! Fiat unveils its new Golf fighter

We showed you a sneak preview of Fiat's impending Volkswagen Golf rival a couple of months ago, but here are the first officially released images of the all-new Bravo.

Due to make its public debut in Rome on January 29, the hatchback goes on sale in Europe shortly after, and we'll see it in Australia later in 2007.

Fiat is making bold claims of the Bravo, suggesting it will set a "benchmark in the most important segment of the European market".

"To achieve this goal, the Fiat Bravo has been designed and developed to embody both beauty and substance," trumpets Fiat's PR bumpf.

We have to concede that the images reveal a stylish and beautifully proportioned hatchback, and the credit for this goes to carmaker's in-house design team -- otherwise known as the Fiat Style Centre.

The new Fiat Bravo is fairly large for its class, measuring about 140mm longer than the VW Golf and just over 30mm wider. It's also 5mm taller.

Its biggish dimensions suggests the Bravo should offer generous levels of interior space, and Fiat claims its luggage capacity of 400 litres is more than that provided by any of its competitors.

A wide selection of engines will be offered in Euro-spec cars, ranging from a pair of turbodiesel 1.9 MultiJets (with 88kW and 110kW respectively), and a new family of turbocharged T-JET 1.4-litre petrol engines (also with 88kW and 110kW).

Fiat claims all engines deliver low fuel consumption with outstanding performance.

Ateco Automotive, the local distributor for Fiat cars and trucks, says the Bravo will launch here in the second half of 2007, slotting in to the range above the recently-introduced Punto.

The Bravo will be one of the key additions to the Fiat line-up as the Italian brand strives to achieve 5000 annual Australian sales by 2009.

Fiat Australia boss David Stone said earlier this year that the rapid growth of the small-car segment and increasing take-up rate of diesel vehicles would work in Fiat's favour as it strives to achieve its bold sales targets.

In other local Fiat news, Ateco has said no to the stylish new Fiat Linea mini sedan (also pictured). Based on the Punto, the Linea is specifically aimed at select European markets, according to Ateco, and as such is not available with Oz-friendly mechanicals.