Car reviews: Fiat Stilo
The Fiat Stilo (Type 192) is a small family car available as a 3-door and a 5-door hatchback, as well as an estate(Fiat Stilo MultiWagon), produced by the Italian automaker Fiat. The Stilo 3-door and 5-door were launched in November 2001, at the Bologna Motor Show, to replace the Fiat Bravo/Brava, with the Stilo MultiWagon following in 2002. The Fiat Bravo is the successor of the Stilo in most markets, however the 5-door Stilo continued to be manufactured in Brazil until December 2010, when it was replaced by the Bravo.
The Stilo’s styling received mixed reviews, with many journalists and enthusiasts criticising it as being too bland and too German-looking (somewhat ironically as the styling of the preceding Bravo and Brava had been criticised for being too “Italian”). Critics also attacked the car’s excessive weight and its semi-independent rear torsion beam suspension / twist-beam rear suspension, (like a previous generation Volkswagen Golf), which was seen as a step backwards from the acclaimed
For MY2006, the Stilo was updated with a new front grille, different seat fabric, a relocation of the electric mirror controls from the window control console to just behind the gear stick. The entry models also had the centre arm-rest removed (which when in the downward position prevented comfortable use of the handbrake as in the Audi A3) and the deletion of the rear air vent.
The Stilo was ultimately a sales disappointment. An extensive advertising campaign using Formula 1 stars Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello did little to aid the car’s sales. In October 2013, The Economist magazine placed the Stilo into the report on Europe’s Biggest Loss Making Cars.
In 2004, the 1242 cc engine was dropped in favour of the Punto’s 1.4 L unit, increasing the car’s power to 95 bhp (71 kW), again combined with the 6 speed gearbox. Also, the tail lights were altered, and the Abarth version gained amanual gearbox, instead of the Selespeed.
When it comes to traveling with kids, the ride is boring. Well, if you want to create a little diversion,and television is always well received. Here are my impressions of how well the car DVD player does his job. Fiat Stilo DVD Navigation, Fiat Stilo DVD Navigation bluetooth, Fiat Stilo DVD Navigation TV, Fiat Stilo DVD Navigation Touch screen, Fiat Stilo DVD Navigation ipod
