Fiat Stilo

Fiat Stilo
Manufacturer:	Fiat
Production:	2001—present
Layout & Class:	FF compact
Body Styles:	3 and 5-door hatchback sedan station wagon
Predecessor:	Fiat Bravo/Brava
Successor:	Still in production
Video	Fiat Stilo Abarth

The Fiat Stilo 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 Automobiles. The Stilo 3-door and 5-door were launched in 2001 to replace the Fiat Bravo/Brava, with the Stilo MultiWagon following in 2002. The all-new Fiat Bravo is the successor of the Stilo in most markets, however the 5-door Stilo continues to be manufactured in Brazil.

Overview

Originally, its petrol engines were the 1242 cc DOHC 16 valve engine also powering the Punto and Lancia Ypsilon with an output of 80 bhp (60 kW) combined with a 6 speed manual gearbox, a 102 bhp (76 kW), 1.6 L with a 5 speed manual gearbox (The 1.6 was also available with a 6 speed manual gearbox, but these are quite rare) a 131 bhp (97 kW), 1.8 L, again with a 5 speed manual gearbox and a 168 bhp (125 kW), 5 cylinder, 2.4 L engine combined with Fiat's Selespeed 5 speed semi-automatic gearbox, also used on the Alfa Romeo 147. An 8 valve, 1.9 JTD unit with 115, 120, 130 or 16 valve 150 bhp diesel unit were/are also available.

The Stilo's styling received mixed reviews, with many journalists and enthusiasts criticising it as being too bland and too German-looking. Critics also attacked the car's excessive weight and its semi-rigid rear axle, which was seen as a step backwards from the acclaimed set-up used in the Bravo/Brava and which resulted in handling many found uninspired and uninvolving. The engine range, particularly the 1.2 litre petrol, was also criticised for being underpowered. The car's fuel economy was also seen as poor for its class, a result of the car's heavy weight and the transmission, which used very long gear ratios. Another point of criticism was the Selespeed gearbox, which was seen as too slow in its reactions and particularly inappropriate for the high-powered Abarth version. Nevertheless, the car won praise for its high levels of grip (aided by the unusually wide tires) and its brakes.

In the UK, different trim levels available are/were: Active, Active Aircon, Blue, Dynamic, Sporting, Abarth, GT, Prestigio, Xbox limited edition, Michael Schumacher and the Schumacher GP, with general modifications by British car specialists, Prodrive.

The Stilo was the first car worldwide to use the TRW Column-Drive Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPS) technology later introduced on the 2003 Nissan Micra & Renault Megane.

As the Stilo model range has aged, the amount of equipment from the options list has now been lessened. The Stilo was originally offered in some markets with a radar guided cruise control option; it included sensors in the front bumper and rear of the car to adjust the speed of the car according to other vehicles' speed. This was soon dropped as it became apparent that other interferences were creating undesired results for the driver. A keyless entry, named 'Easy Go', push button start, similar in function to Renault's, Mercedes' and BMW Mini's systems, was also an available option.

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, removal of the centre arm-rest (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 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 a manual gearbox instead of the Selespeed.

Stilo specifications

Capacity	1242–2446 cc
Power	80–170 HP
Max. speed	170–215 km/h (106-134 mph)
Acceleration	0–100 km/h: 13.8-8.5 seconds

The Stilo in rallying

The launch of the Stilo has also meant that Fiat has returned to the World Rally Championship. The 187 bhp Fiat Stilo was the Italian company's representative for the 2004 season.

South American Stilo

Only available in the 5-door hatchback version, the Stilo was launched in South America in 2003, being assembled in Brazil. The engines were the Family I GM engines 1.8L with 8-valve (103 hp) and 16-valve (122 hp) versions, and a 2.4 20-valve version (170 hp) for the Abarth model as well. For export, the chosen engines were the Italian-made 1.8 16v VIS engine with 133 hp and the 1.9 JTD Diesel of 115 hp specially for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. (Chile did not get the JTD, but was the only country in the region to receive the Italian 3-door version, and the MultiWagon versión.)

A Schumacher special edition of the Stilo was added in 2004 and lasted until 2006; contrary to the European version, which was based on the 3-door version and equipped with the 2.4 20-valve engine, the Brazilian was only available with five doors and the Family I GM 1.8 16v engine with 122 hp. In 2006, the Stilo gained a GM-sourced flexible engine capable of using petrol and alcohol (1.8 8v with 110 hp on petrol and Template:Convert/hpTemplate:Convert/test/Aon with alcohol) and the 1.8 16v engine was retired.

In the Americas, the Stilo will be partially replaced by the new Bravo in late 2009 or early 2010, when it will be built in Brazil; from 2007 on the Italian import is available in Chile and Venezuela.

Fiat Automóveis introduced a facelifted Stilo in the end of January 2008, in which the Dualogic manual-robotized gearbox was released, being available to every version with the 1.8 8v Flex engine, which now produces 112 PS (petrol) or 114 PS when using alcohol as fuel. The car also got minor cosmetic changes to front grille, bonnet, side bumpers and to the taillights, in order to end its production cycle, which is expected to happen in 2010.

For the MY2009, Fiat withdrew the Abarth version from the Brazilian market; the version wasn't available in other markets anymore.

For the MY2010, Fiat do Brasil has launched a "basic-features" versión called Attractive, still with the 1.8 8v Flex engine. This version marks the confirmation that the new Bravo it's comming, with the Stilo Attractive as an only version.

External links

• Fiat Stilo Owners Club
• Polish Stilo Fanclub
• The FIAT Forum - Stilo Forums
• Greek Official Stilo Club
• stilo.info Forum - German Community
• Fiat Stilo Alliance Forum