Fiat Stilo

Fiat Stilo
Overview
Manufacturer	Fiat
Production	2001–2007 (Italy) 2003–2010 (Brazil)
Assembly	Cassino, Frosinone, Italy Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car (C)
Body style	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback 5-door estate
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Fiat Group C-platform
Related	Fiat Bravo (2007) Lancia Delta (2008)
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L Fire I4 petrol 1.4 L Fire I4 petrol 1.6 L I4 petrol 1.6 L Ecotec I4 petrol 1.8 L I4 petrol 2.4 L I5 petrol 1.9 L JTD I4 diesel 1.9 L MultiJet I4 diesel
Transmission	5-speed manual 6-speed manual 5-speed semi-auto (Selespeed)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (102.4 in)[1]
Length	4,182 mm (164.6 in) (3-door) 4,253 mm (167.4 in) (5-door) 4,516 mm (177.8 in) (estate)
Width	1,784 mm (70.2 in) (3-door) 1,756 mm (69.1 in) (5-door) 1,756 mm (69.1 in) (estate)
Height	1,475 mm (58.1 in) (3-door) 1,525 mm (60.0 in) (5-door) 1,570 mm (61.8 in) (estate)
Curb weight	1,090–1,320 kg (2,400–2,910 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Fiat Bravo/Brava Fiat Marea Weekend (for estate)
Successor	Fiat Bravo Fiat Tipo estate (for estate)

Fiat Stilo Abarth 3-door

Fiat Stilo MultiWagon

Fiat Stilo 5-door

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.

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 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) combined with a 6 speed manual gearbox, a 103 PS, 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 133 PS, 1.8 L, again with a 5 speed manual gearbox and a 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp), 5 cylinder, 2.4 L engine combined with Fiat's Selespeed 5 speed semi-automatic gearbox, similar to the gearbox used on the Alfa Romeo 147 and Alfa Romeo 156. An 8 valve, 1.9 JTD unit with 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp), 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp), 116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp), 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) or 16 valve 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) 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 (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 fully independent rear suspension used in the Bravo/Brava, and which resulted in handling many found uninspired and uninvolving. Although the Bravo/Brava IRS was prone to suspension bush wear. 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 United Kingdom, 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 second car worldwide to use the TRW Column-Drive Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPS) technology after the Fiat Punto MK2, later introduced on the 2003 Nissan Micra & Renault Megane.

As the model range aged, the range of available options was reduced. 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 Citroen's, Mercedes's 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. 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. ^[2]

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.

Specifications

Capacity	1900-1949 cc
Power	116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp)–116 PS (85 kW; 114 hp)
Max. speed	170–225 km/h (106-134 mph)
Acceleration	0–100 km/h: 13.8-8.5 seconds

Safety

The Fiat Stilo passed the Euro NCAP car safety tests with following ratings:^[3]

Euro NCAP test results
Fiat Stilo (2008)[4]
Test	Score	Rating
Adult occupant:	27
Child occupant:	37
Pedestrian:	8

Stilo in rallying

A group N version of the car was developed by Abarth to compete in the single make trophy called Trofeo Stilo Abarth, held in Italy from 2002 to 2005.^[5] The car was revealed in November 2001 at the Bologna Motor Show. It was derived from the Stilo 1.8 16v version, with the engine power increased from 133 bhp (99 kW; 135 PS) to 157 bhp (117 kW; 159 PS),^[6] and from the 2003 season to 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS).^[7] A similar competition was held in the UK in 2004 and 2005, called the Fiat Stilo Rally Cup.^[8]

In 2004, a junior team backed up by Fiat UK competed in the Wales Rally GB of the World Rally Championship with group A cars,^[9][10] and the following year two other cars took part in the rally.^[11] Stilo cars have also been present in the Andros Trophy during the last years.

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 1.8 L 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 (99 kW) and the 1.9 JTD Diesel of 115 hp (86 kW) 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 version.)

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 (91 kW). In 2006, the Stilo gained a GM-sourced flexible engine capable of using petrol and ethanol (1.8 8v with 110 hp (82 kW) on petrol and 114 hp (85 kW) with ethanol) and the 1.8 16v engine was retired.

In the Americas, the Stilo was partially replaced by the new Bravo in late 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 late 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 (82 kW; 110 hp) (petrol) or 114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp) when using ethanol as fuel.^[12] 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;^[13] the version wasn't available in other markets anymore.

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

In March 2010, Brazil's Justice Ministry fined Fiat 3 million Reais (US$ 1.7 million) for failing to recall its Stillo without ABS brakes to fix a rear wheel problem that may have caused 30 accidents and eight deaths. Fiat denied any wrongdoing, saying that the rear wheel problem was not the cause of the accidents, but rather caused by them.^[14]

Notes

1. "Fiat Stilo". carfolio.com. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
2. "Daily Chart. Europe's biggest loss making cars". The Economist. 2013-09-25.
3. "Fiat Stilo". euroncap.com. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
4. "Fiat Stilo". Retrieved 2012-01-23.
5. "Italian Fiat One-Make Trophies". RallyBase.nl. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
6. "New models: Fiat Stilo Abarth Rally". italiaspeed.com. 2001-11-30. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
7. "Fiat Stilo Abarth Rally - technical specifications". fiatpress.com. 2003-10-28. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
8. "Motor shows". italiaspeed.com. 2005-01-17. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
9. "Racing news". italiaspeed.com. 2004-09-22. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
10. "60th Wales Rally of Great Britain". RallyBase.nl. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
11. "61st Wales Rally GB". RallyBase.nl. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
12. "New Model — Fiat Stilo Flex (2008)". italiaspeed.com. 2008-01-29. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
13. "Fim de linha para o Stilo Abarth?". blogauto.com.br (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2009-03-05.
14. "Brazil fines Fiat, orders Stilo recall after deaths". bloomberg.com. 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2010-03-10.

External links

Media related to Fiat Stilo at Wikimedia Commons