***** ***** * * * * * * * ***** *** * * * * * * * * * ***** * =================================== BILLY ELLIS GIVES US HIS BI-MONTHLY GUIDE TO WHAT`S HOT IN THE SHOWROOM Welcome to REV,"KELSTAR"s motoring review,a frank and unbiased look at todays cars, bikes,etc.or what ever takes my fancy. The editor of this Mag.wants a 5k feature he is more likley to get a .5k feature and if he doesn't like it tough s**t. Anyway,reviews this month, we will stick to short profiles of some new models.............. FIAT....BRAVO/BRAVA --------------------- Now then,only the Italian's could think of names like that?? Voted European car of the year,the Brava/Bravo which replaces the old Tipo(now there was a strange machine)is said to have the latest of Fiat's New Genaration engines,and three or five door hatchbacks. Well, personally I don't like hatchbacks but thats nothing to do with the price of fish. How do you tell them apart.the Bravo is the smaller spottier three door model,while the Brava has five doors (pretty good so far)also to the rear you will find the most obvious difference is the light cluster. The Bravo has the same wheelbase as the Brava but is 6 inches shorter (or if you are Italian 150mm give or take a foot)..... To look at, it's across between a Honda Civic and a Vauxhall Tigra/Astra,so there for it looks like a hatchback.Inside,nice Italian styling,the facia on both cars,although not exactly the same,are well laid out and instruments are easy to read ,also the steering wheels are diffrent styles.Room inside is good for a car this size,but getting into the rear of the Bravo if you are over five foot six can be an effort but otherwise,very tidy. But how does it drive, well both about the same with the Bravo feeling that little bit sportier,the 12 valve 1.4 producing (80 BHP) and the 16 valve 1.6 and 1.8 (103 BHP/113BHP) are quick but not as smooth as others in its class.Road holding is very good you can throw these cars about country roads safley as long as you remember it's a Fiat and not a Ferrari you are driving.Economy at an average of 50mpg.is what you would expect (not what you always get) from a car manufacturer that has spent 40,000 Billion Lire (œ5 )on development in the 90's. Safety is always at the forefront, with these cars having all the usual, side impact beams, fuel cut off and drivers airbag. There are four trim levels in both the Bravo and the Brava with prices from œ9,607 to œ1,3292 which to my mind is rather high for the base model but then again I am not going to buy one am I????? Anyway next on my list is MITSUBISHI CARISMA ===================== Now then,this is more my kind of car (if you wait a min. I will stop drooling) thats better. The Carisma,well lets start with the price, a very respectable œ10,999.for the 1.6 G.L.which is the car we are reveiwing anyway.Standerd features include variable speed wipers,rear wash/wipe,headlamp leveller,four speaker radio/cassette,power steering, power assisted braking etc. etc.Now then(I here you say)why is he comming in his pants over a 1.6 Jap. car,well lets just say Iused to own a FORD??????? and can now appreciate 90's techno./style. If Henry Ford drove a Carisma he would never drive another Ford again..............P.S.don't like Fords. Driving the Carisma, with a drg/co. of 0.29 and 0-60 in a 11 secs.with a top speed of 112 m.p.h. it's hardly earth shattering is it ?.No, but when were talking a 4 door family saloon that glides along quietly and smoothly and returns 54 m.p.g. at 56m.p.h.and is in insurance group 7 I like it Styling of the Carisma is much the same as its counterparts but is distinctive enough to stick out in the crowd.Interior trim is very neat and the seating is perfect,all controls easely fall at your fingertips. excellent... Better now go as the missus is givin me earache,,here is a list of the top selling cars of 1995............... I=========================I 1.Ford Escort.........137,760 I IN THE NEXT "KELSTAR" I I I 2.Ford Fiesta.........129,574 I MAZDA MX6 I I I 3.Ford Mondeo.........118,040 I VAUXHALL VECTRA I I=========================I 4.Vaxhall Astra........100,709 5.Vaxhall Cavalier......73,978 LATEST NEWS ------------ 6.Vaxhall Corsa..........72,502 LADA. 7.Rover 200..............68,141 Lada are to put Rover200 8.Peugot 306..............56,112 engines in there new 9.Renault Cleo............52,576 cars????? 10.Rover 100................52,392 Bet that doubles the price! THATS ALL FOR NOW SEE YOU NEXT ISSUE OF "KELSTAR" Billy Ellis