Autoblog

click above image to view 45 high-res shots of the new Fiat Bravo

Everything the Italians do is sexy, not just Ferraris and Lamborghinis. We know the Alfa Romeo Brera is auto erotica, but who knew how drop dead gorgeous this little economy car from Italian automaker Fiat would be? Well, we had a guess, which is why we sent international Autoblogger Alberto Ballestin over to the Fiat booth straight away to get some seat time in the new Fiat Bravo. Dipped in a thick coat of Candy Apple Red, the Fiat Bravo on display looked delicious parked next to an equally yummy Fiat spokeswoman. We were a little concerned that the heavily doctored press shots that first impressed us would give way to disappointment on seeing our first live pics, but it turns out the new car's simple yet classic lines impress even in the flesh.

Though we would have likely spent too much time walking round and round the new Bravo on its display stand, Alberto got down to business and crawled inside of one to test the interior. He's reporting that fit and finish is definitely improved over previous small cars from the big boot, and that the materials, in particular the soft plastic used on top of the dash, feels very rich. He had a few issues with some handles in the car, but was impressed with the inclusion of a USB interface to stream music to the car's stereo from a portable music device.

There are three gas engines available that offer 90, 120 and 150 horsepower, respectively, as well as a pair of diesels pumping out 120 and 150 horsepower. We'll admire the new Fiat Bravo from afar, for like most of the vehicles in Geneva this week, arrival in the U.S. is not an option.

Gaze at the simple beauty of the Fiat Bravo in our high-resolution gallery or check out the full press release from Fiat after the jump.

[Source: Fiat, Autoblog Spanish]

Italy's Fiat Group, flush with the success of its flagship Fiat brand, has plans to more than double the sales volume of its niche-market Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands by 2010.

The aggressive target will put Alfa Romeo sales at 300,000 units annually, from 125,829 in 2005. Alfa Romeo plans to sell 180,000 units in 2006. (We're hoping that U.S. market sales will play a role in Alfa Romeo's growth.)

Sales of the Lancia brand were only 113,783 in 2005, but Fiat plans to increase sales to 300,000 units by 2010.

Meanwhile, the Fiat brand is powering ahead, with 2006 year-to-date sales in western Europe up 28 percent over 2005, driven by the success of its new A and B segment cars, the Panda and Grande Punto. Fiat's new C-segment hatchback, the Bravo, will be launched early next year, followed by the new Fiat 500 minicar (shown in spy garb at right). A new "family car" is also said to be in the works.

[Source: Reuters, Italiaspeed]