FIAT

SPORTY BUT SENSIBLE Fiat’s 2.0-litre MultiJet 165 diesel Bravo model is disarmingly good. Jonathan Crouch reports

What do you want your Family Hatchback to be? Good value? Well equipped? Great looking? Economical? Versatile? Offering punchy performance? Fiat’s Bravo 2.0 MultiJet 165 diesel model ticks all these boxes. So why is it so overlooked by buyers and pundits alike? Perhaps it’s a badge snobbery thing. Either way, this car remains a well kept secret.

Diesel development continues on apace and this 2.0-litre MultiJet Bravo is a good example. The engine features a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and is type-approved to Euro 5 standards, As you’d expect, it’s ‘greener’ but at the same time, this powerplant aims to underscore the liveliness, flexibility and driving pleasure that have always been features of the Bravo. This engine is a logical evolution of the old 1.9 MultiJet 150 unit and the main improvements centre on greater performance, reduced emissions and lower fuel consumption. Though the T-Jet petrol models have their appeal, the Multijet diesels, in 1.6 and 2.0-litre forms, probably make more sense overall, assuming that you’re not merely buying the car to amble to the shops and back. Fiat don’t claim to be taking on the market leaders in terms of volume with this car but they do want to improve substantially on the poor sales they’ve traditionally recorded in this sector. To that end, the marque has long needed a far more class-competitive product. The Bravo is that car. This isn’t the sharpest handling car in this sector but it’s close enough to the highest class standards for most potential buyers not to notice – or indeed to care. They’ll probably be more bothered about the fact that the interior feels very well built. Bright finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italianate as well. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the new Bravo’s supple, textured finish wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi. The more powerful 2.0-litre MultiJet 165bhp diesel has some real muscle to it, getting the Bravo from rest to 62mph in 8.2 seconds and topping 134mph. With 360Nm of torque available, it’s not going to have any problem putting irksome white van men in their place, that torque output superior to something like a Subaru Impreza WRX. Fiat’s Dualdrive electrical steering assistance is fitted, which lightens the steering around town and at parking speeds by pressing a button on the dashboard. A bit more feel at higher driving speeds would be welcome however.

"Diesel development continues on apace and this 2.0-litre MultiJet Bravo is a good example …."

It’s easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent creosoting your mother-in-law’s fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, so the new Bravo does the same for cars the next size up. Though this isn’t the largest car in the class, there’s a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump. The big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into the new Bravo. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, the Bravo sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. The Bravo is the product of over 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver. You’ll probably end up paying around £17,000 for this car and there’s a choice of either Dynamic or Sport trim levels. Only a single five-door hatchback bodystyle is being offered. No other car in the sector is better value – or better equipped. The 2.0-litre Multijet diesel model we’ve been looking at in Dynamic 165bhp form costs around £2,000 less than an equivalently equipped 130bhp TDCi Focus that offers less performance. Want a cheap South Korean alternative with comparable 165bhp power? Sorry, there isn’t one. You don’t actually have to have 165bhp in your diesel Bravo though: the 120bhp 1.6-litre version is also a sound choice. ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation (ASR) to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there’s even a hill-holder function to take the faff out of hill starts. The low upfront asking prices allied with improving Fiat brand residuals create a car that’s very class competitive in terms of that crucial pence per mile figure after a typical three year ownership period. Whether you can justify the £1,000 premium being asked for the Bravo 2.0 Multijet 165 model over its T-Jet petrol 150 stablemate will depend of course on the kind of mileage you rack up. A Multijet 150 model will return around 53mpg on the Combined cycle – around 13mpg better than the petrol T-Jet equivalent. Do the maths by all means, but make sure you’ve got the petrol to diesel price differential right. Fiat dealers tend to sell more Bravo diesels than petrol models, so will keep more in stock. As a result, better deals may be available that will drive the price differential down. While you’re asking on this, also investigate the guaranteed residual programme that Fiat dealers offer on this car with regard to some of their financing schemes. This is intended to soften the blow of residuals that remain slightly behind obvious mainstream competitors. Insurance costs (group 10 for the variant we’re looking at here) are however, comparable. I have a suspicion that the Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet we’re looking at here is the best family car you can buy. The problem I have is in getting anyone to believe me. Experts talk of cars like Ford’s Focus or Honda’s Civic as being leaders in the Family Hatchback sector. But a Fiat? Surely not. I can see their point, yet when I go back to my notes having driven various versions of this car, it’s hard to escape the facts of the case. It’s affordable, it goes well and it looks great. The Italians have done their sums with this one. You can pay an awful lot more in this sector and get less. A great deal less.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet PRICES: £16,855-£17,155 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 139g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 8.2s/ Max Speed 134mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 53mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front/side/window airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4336/1792/1498mm

SENSE & SENSUALITY Fiat’s 1.9-litre Multijet 150 diesel Bravo model is disarmingly good. Jonathan Crouch reports

What do you want your Family Hatchback to be? Good value? Well equipped? Great looking? Economical? Versatile? Offering punch performance? Fiat’s Bravo 1.9 Multijet 150 diesel model ticks all these boxes. So why is it so overlooked by buyers and pundits alike? Perhaps it’s a badge snobbery thing. Either way, this car remains a well kept secret.

Developed over eighteen months using cutting edge computer technology, Fiat’s Bravo doesn’t feel like a rushed job. Anything but in fact. And that’s in contrast to previous Fiat products developed over far longer periods that felt considerably rougher round the edges. Though the T-Jet petrol models have their appeal, the Multijet diesels, in 1.6 and 1.9-litre forms, probably make more sense overall, assuming that you’re not merely buying the car to amble to the shops and back. Fiat don’t claim to be taking on the market leaders in terms of volume with this car but they do want to improve substantially on the poor sales they’ve traditionally recorded in this sector. To that end, the marque has long needed a far more class-competitive product. The Bravo is that car. This isn’t the sharpest handling car in this sector but it’s close enough to the highest class standards for most potential buyers not to notice – or indeed to care. They’ll probably be more bothered about the fact that the interior feels very well built. Bright finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italianate as well. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the new Bravo’s supple, textured finish wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi. The more powerful 1.9-litre Multijet 150bhp diesel has some real muscle to it, getting the Bravo from rest to 62mph in 9.0 seconds and topping 130mph. With 305Nm of torque available, it’s not going to have any problem putting irksome white van men in their place, that torque output superior to something like a Subaru Impreza WRX. Fiat’s Dualdrive electrical steering assistance is fitted, which lightens the steering around town and at parking speeds by pressing a button on the dashboard. A bit more feel at higher driving speeds would be welcome however.

"I have a suspicion that the Fiat Bravo 1.9 Multijet we’re looking at here is the best family car you can buy….."

It’s easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent creosoting your mother-in-law’s fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, so the new Bravo does the same for cars the next size up. Though this isn’t the largest car in the class, there’s a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump. The big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into the new Bravo. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, the Bravo sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. The Bravo is the product of over 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver. Prices start at £16,055 for the 1.9 Multijet 150 model, with a choice of either Dynamic or Sport trim levels. Only a single five-door hatchback bodystyle is being offered. No other car in the sector is better value – or better equipped. The 1.9-litre Multijet diesel model we’ve been driving in Dynamic 150bhp form costs around £2,000 less than an equivalently equipped 130bhp TDCi Focus that offers less performance. Want a cheap South Korean alternative with comparable 150bhp power? Sorry, there isn’t one. You don’t actually have to have 150bhp in your diesel Bravo though, the 120bhp 1.6-litre version is also a sound choice. ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation (ASR) to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there’s even a hill-holder function to take the faff out of hill starts. The low upfront asking prices allied with improving Fiat brand residuals create a car that’s very class competitive in terms of that crucial pence per mile figure after a typical three year ownership period. Whether you can justify the £1,000 premium being asked for the Bravo 1.9 Multijet 150 model over its T-Jet petrol 150 stablemate will depend of course on the kind of mileage you rack up. A Multijet 150 model will return around 50.4mpg on the Combined cycle – around 10mpg better than the petrol T-Jet equivalent. Do the maths by all means, but make sure you’ve got the petrol to diesel price differential right. Fiat dealers tend to sell more Bravo diesels than petrol models, so will keep more in stock. As a result, better deals may be available that will drive the price differential down. While you’re asking on this, also investigate the guaranteed residual programme that Fiat dealers offer on this car with regard to some of their financing schemes. This is intended to soften the blow of residuals that remain slightly behind obvious mainstream competitors. Insurance costs (group 10 for the variant we’re looking at here) are however, comparable. I have a suspicion that the Fiat Bravo 1.9 Multijet we’re looking at here is the best family car you can buy. The problem I have is in getting anyone to believe me. Experts talk of cars like Ford’s Focus or Honda’s Civic as being leaders in the Family Hatchback sector. But a Fiat? Surely not. I can see their point, yet when I go back to my notes having driven the car, it’s hard to escape the facts of the case. It’s affordable, it goes well and it looks great. The Italians have done their sums with this car. You can pay an awful lot more in this sector and get less. A great deal less.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Bravo 1.9 Multijet 150 range PRICES: £16,055-£16,355 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 149g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 9.0s / Max Speed 130mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 37.2mpg /(extra urban) 62.8mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front/side/window airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4336/1792/1498mm

WILL FORTUNE FAVOUR THE BRAVO? Fiat’s Bravo is its most competitive family hatchback yet. Andy Enright reports

Instant desirability is a commodity in short supply in the family hatch sector. These cars major on common sense rather than sassiness but the new Fiat Bravo offers some real eye candy. Team that with massively improved build quality and some great powerplants and you have what looks to be a very strong proposition.

Styling will only get you so far if the car drives poorly. Several manufacturers have found this to their cost but the new Bravo comes up trumps on that score. It’s not far off the class leaders when it comes to sharp handling through a series of twisties and the selection of engines is, by and large, better than the more obvious Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra offerings. Petrol engines first. The range opens with a 90bhp normally aspirated 1.4-litre unit. Most buyers however, will go for the responsive T-Jet turbocharged versions of this engine in either 120 or 150bhp guise. These use the latest turbocharger technology to offer punchy performance with decent fuel economy and low exhaust emissions. The diesel engines are also a big draw, Fiat leveraging its experience to great effect. Two 1.6-litre MultiJet diesels are offered, with either 105 or 120bhp, plus a 2.0-litre unit with 165bhp. In the Active and Dynamic trim levels, the 1.6 Multijet engine is also available in an Eco option, reducing the engine’s CO2 emissions from 129g/km to 119g/km and boosts the Bravo’s combined fuel consumption from 57.6 to 62.8 mpg. The more powerful 2.0-litre diesel has some real muscle to it, getting the Bravo from rest to 62mph in 8.2 seconds and topping 130mph. With 360Nm of torque available, it’s not going to have any problem putting irksome white van men in their place, that torque output superior to something like a Subaru Impreza WRX. It’s easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent creosoting your mother-in-law’s fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, so the new Bravo does the same for cars the next size up. Though this isn’t the largest car in the class, there’s a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump. The interior feels very well built. Bright finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italianate as well. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the new Bravo’s supple, textured finish wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi.

"The Italians could be onto something here…"

There’s no shortage of equipment either. The big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into the new Bravo. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, the Bravo sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. The Bravo is the product of over 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver. ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation (ASR) to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there’s even a hill-holder function to take the faff out of hill starts. Pricing looks highly competitive with mainstream rivals Prices start at around £11,000 for the entry-level 1.4-litre petrol model, with the diesels priced from around £14,000. These low upfront prices allied with improving Fiat brand residuals create a car that’s very class competitive in terms of that crucial pence per mile figure after a typical three year ownership period. Economy figures naturally vary according to which model you choose, but both petrol and diesel versions really are worth looking out for, even if you’re not a penny pincher. There’s a lot to like about a 150bhp diesel Bravo, with storming mid-range acceleration, yet which will nevertheless average over 50mpg. Overall, the Bravo looks to be Fiat’s strongest offering in this sector for some years, and I’d be more than happy to twitch the curtains and see that shape sitting outside my house. What it certainly represents is a rather beautiful alternative to the more lumpen offerings we’ve become used to. It’s there or thereabouts in most of the dynamics areas and is decently packaged. Given that on most objective scorecards it makes the numbers, it might come down to styling. Fiat is confident. The Italians could be onto something here…..

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Bravo range PRICES: £10,765-£16,794 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 119-167g/km PERFORMANCE: [2.0 MultiJet 165] 0-60mph 8.2s/ Max Speed 134mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 MultiJet 165] (combined) 53mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front/side/window airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4336/1792/1498mm

FIAT AND THE JETS It was getting to the point where the only Fiat models you could really recommend had diesel engines. Until the 1.4-litre petrol T-Jet unit came along. It makes plenty of sense plumbed into the company’s beguiling Bravo Family Hatchback. Jonathan Crouch reports

If you’re going to have a family hatchback that’s anything but ordinary, then you don’t want to go and specify it with an ordinary engine. Not if you can afford not to anyway. And with Fiat’s ‘anything but ordinary’ Bravo, you can probably afford to ‘go large’.

Which in this case, for petrol customers at least, means ignoring the entry-level £10,995 89bhp 1.4-litre motor and opting for one of the turbocharged 1.4 T-Jet variants, which develop either 118 or 148bhp. It’s the latter we’re looking at here, badged ‘1.4 T-Jet 150’. Even if you go for this faster T-Jet variant (oh come on), you’ll still only pay around £13,000 for it. That’s around £2,800 less than it will cost you to get 150bhp in a Ford Focus for example: or £1,800 less if you specify more comparable Dynamic rather than Active trim. Only Dodge’s Caliber offers this amount of poke for less and comparing the beguiling Bravo with one of those is like putting a Ferrari alongside a London bus. I probably don’t need to write any more than that, but I’m going to anyway. This, after all, is a Fiat that deserves a few column inches, the Italian marque’s most competitive offering in the Family Hatchback sector since the Tipo back in the Eighties. It might not be quite as sophisticated as class-leading Focus or Golf models when it comes to ride and handling or refinement but it looks a lot better and costs a lot less while getting close enough to satisfy the majority of buyers. On the road in the 1.4 T-Jet 150, rest to sixty takes around 8.5s on the way to a top speed of just over 130mph. At the same time, you should average around 32mpg with emissions of 167g/km. In other words, there’s enough here to justify Fiat’s claim that the T-Jet offers the performance of a 2.0-litre petrol engine with the emissions and economy of a 1.4. It’s certainly a torquey unit, which adds to the spirited driving experience on offer via the six-speed manual gearbox. Fiat’s Dualdrive electrical steering assistance is fitted, which lightens the steering around town and at parking speeds by pressing a button on the dashboard. A bit more feel at higher driving speeds would be welcome however.

"The high performance/high economy achievement of the T-Jet technology is genuinely impressive…"

Still, it’s easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent creosoting your mother-in-law’s fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, so the new Bravo does the same for cars the next size up. Though this isn’t the largest car in the class, there’s a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump. The interior feels very well built. Bright finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italianate as well. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the new Bravo’s supple, textured finish wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi. There’s no shortage of equipment either. Most buyers of this T-Jet variant will stump up an extra £300 over the Dynamic variant’s £15,030 asking price to get the classy looking Sport version. This car comes with front foglamps, sports seats, sports suspension and instruments, red brake callipers, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and Bluetooth connection for your ‘phone. A big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into the Bravo. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, this model sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. The design is the product of over 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver. ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation (ASR) to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there’s even a hill-holder function to take the faff out of hill starts. Cost of ownership? Well, you may have some concerns on that score when buying a Fiat – in which case your dealer will want to talk to you about some attractive guaranteed residual value schemes they can offer to take the doubt out of the proposition. Insurance costs are cheap and the CO2 figure is lower than more poorly performing (but more expensive) rivals like Volkswagen’s Golf 1.6 FSI and Vauxhall’s Astra 1.8 VVT. It’s a pity however, that Fiat has chosen not to include the five year/300,000 mile warranty it offers with the new 500 citycar. Overall? Well since the 1.9 MJet 150 diesel model costs only £1,200 more than its petrol T-Jet counterpart, it’s easy to imagine that many Bravo buyers will take the diesel route. Before doing so however, this car is worth a run. Like all Bravos, it feels a good deal more special than any comparable family hatch and the high performance/high economy achievement of the T-Jet technology is genuinely impressive.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Bravo 1.4 T-Jet 150 PRICES: £13,155-£15,655 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 167g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 8.5s / Max Speed 131mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 30.4mpg / (extra urban) 48.7mpg / (combined) 39.8mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front/side/window airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4336/1792/1498mm

GREEN GIANT Fiat’s Bravo 1.6 Multijet 16v demonstrates that you don’t need to lever yourself into a minuscule car to salve your environmental conscience. Andy Enright reports

There are cars that achieve repute despite being fairly unexceptional and then there are cars like Fiat’s Bravo. Inexplicably overlooked by British buyers, Fiat’s middleweight is a class act. Powered by a 1.6-litre Multijet 16v diesel engine, it’s one of the greenest cars in its class and one that can face down the established favourites.

It’s rare that you’ll get into a car these days and be particularly surprised. Buyers these days are a canny bunch, well attuned to the achievements and culture of various car companies. They bring with them a level of expectation which the manufacturers attempt to exceed. Fiat buyers have come to expect a bit of personality, some occasional build flakiness and a fun drive but the latest Bravo doesn’t conform. It’s not up and in your face and it’s built like a rock. With the latest 1.6-litre 16v Multijet diesel engine, it’s an eminently sensible purchase. In making the Bravo more mainstream and a little more buttoned-down, has Fiat rather lost its spark? Anything but. With some of the sharpest styling in its class, this Bravo doesn’t make you suffer for choosing a sharp Italian suit. This 1.6-litre diesel engine is offered in two discreet power outputs of 105 or 120bhp, the difference between the two units being the turbochargers. The lower power unit gets a fixed vane turbo while the 120bhp powerplant gets the benefit of a variable geometry blower. The difference is 0-60mph in 10.2s compared to 11s for its 105bhp sibling and top speeds of 121 and 116mph respectively. Those who know the Fiat brand well will recognise that Fiat already has a 120bhp diesel engine, the 1.9-litre Multijet, but this newer 1.6-litre unit is vastly superior. Both engines are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and torque figures are 290Nm at 1500ropm for the 105bhp engine and 300Nm for the 120bhp car, that torque output superior to something like a Subaru Impreza WRX. Fiat’s Dualdrive electrical steering assistance is fitted, which lightens the steering around town and at parking speeds by pressing a button on the dashboard. A bit more feel at higher driving speeds would be welcome however, but it’s worth noting despite the overtaking punch of the diesel engine, this Bravo is not a particularly sporty drive.

"Fuel consumption figures for the Bravo Multijet 1.6 16v are something quite special…"

It’s easy to forgive the Bravo any minor shortcomings when you walk round the car, taking in its beautifully integrated detailing and elegant proportions. Many five door hatches are about as beguiling as the prospect of an evening spent creosoting your mother-in-law’s fence, but the Bravo is different. Just as the Grande Punto added a touch of the exotic to the supermini class, the Bravo does the same for cars the next size up. If size is everything to you, the Bravo may well disappoint. Ford spent millions on making the Focus fit virtually anybody but Fiat hasn’t spent that sort of budget on the Bravo and as such, it’s far tighter than the Ford in the back although there’s a decent amount of luggage space in that curved rump. The interior feels very well built. Bright finish plastics lift the cabin and the controls are easy to figure out without recourse to the manual. It all looks agreeably Italianate as well, even if this is a clever façade. Fiat has really got the hang of the whole soft-touch dashboard moulding in recent years and the Bravo’s supple, textured finish wouldn’t look out of place in an Audi. The big draw for family buyers is undoubtedly the amount of safety gear Fiat has packed into this car. Winner of a coveted five-star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, the Bravo sits squarely at the top of its category with a total of 33 points on the NCAP scorecard. It’s the product of over 60 crash tests, 15,000 hours of computer simulations, 150 simulations with a crash sled and more than 100 crash tests on components and subsystems. The Bravo features two front airbags, two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver. ABS anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest generation ESP stability control system should prevent the worst coming to the worst. The ESP system includes functions such as anti-slip regulation (ASR) to limit wheelspin in slippery conditions, and engine torque regulation which prevents the driven wheels locking up during rapid downshifts. Hydraulic brake assist boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations and there’s even a hill-holder function to take the faff out of hill starts. Fuel consumption figures for the Bravo Multijet 1.6 16v are something quite special. The more powerful 120bhp car will still average 57.6mpg, will get 44.8 miles from a gallon of derv around town and will stretch that gallon across 68.8 miles on a motorway journey. The 105bhp model achieves similar figures but an Eco pack is offered with taller gearing, better aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tyres to stretch that motorway figure still further to an almost unbelievable 74.8mpg. This Bravo is also the first car in its class to comply with stringent Euro 5 emission regulations, well ahead of the 2009 deadline. With carbon dioxide emissions of just 119g/km, it’s a car that is congestion charge-friendly and will instantly make the shortlists of many company car user choosers as a result. The Fiat Group has pledged to become the leading manufacturer in terms of weighted average CO2 levels with a clear target for 2012. The company is currently among the top performers in Europe in this regard with an average across their product range of just 144g/km but this figure excludes the cars of group member Ferrari. Drive the Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet and you’ll doubtless emerge rather puzzled. Why do we not see more of these things on the road? The attractions would appear to be compelling. It’s the best looking car in its class, it’s got possibly the best diesel engine, it’s well built, it’s inexpensive to run and it’s respectably practical. Pricing is keen and it’s bang up to date in terms of its green credentials. The downsides? The dealer network still has some work to do and the Bravo’s dynamics are safe rather than scintillating. Perhaps buyers attracted to Fiat dealers in the first instance are looking for something with a bit more Latin brio than the rather stolid Bravo can generate. That being said, if you’re thinking of a Volkswagen Golf, a Honda Civic or a Peugeot 308, you’ll probably find a visit to a Fiat showroom rather illuminating.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet range PRICES: £13,905-£15,655 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-7 CO2 EMISSIONS: 119-129g/km PERFORMANCE: [MultiJet 120] 0-60mph 10.2s / Max Speed 121mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [MultiJet 120] (urban) 44.8mpg /(extra urban) 68.8mpg / (combined) 57.6mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front/side/window airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4336/1792/1498mm