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Fiat Bravo Eco 1.6 Multijet 105 road test report

Eco 1.6 Multijet 105

Green is the buzzword in the motoring industry at present and the greenest manufacturer in Europe is Fiat, according to figures published by Jato Dynamics. The Italian maker has launched the Bravo Eco to enhance its range. The car’s engine is based on the 1.6-litre Multijet diesel and starts from £14,150 in Active trim while the Dynamic trim level starts from £15,150.

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Performance

The Fiat Bravo Eco is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine, which has an output of 105bhp. Overtaking is done with ease as the car has 290Nm of torque from 2,000rpm. The statistics make for interesting reading – zero to 62mph in a time of 11.3 seconds while it has a top speed of 116mph – not too shabby for an eco-friendly car. Due to generous amount of torque, the Bravo Eco feels like it always has plenty of power when you need it – very impressive. The engine is mated to a smooth shifting six-speed gearbox.

Ride & Handling

The Bravo Eco performed really well on challenging roads and in difficult weather conditions. It was comfortable at cruising speed on motorway routes and when we took it on to B roads the car held up well. The Bravo has a balanced chassis, which makes it handle well when driving enthusiastically – a downside is the steering as it is a little light which means we didn’t feel that we were getting enough feedback but the steering is accurate. The roads around the test route were saturated in water and we were really surprised how much grip we had from the low rolling resistance tyres that are fitted to the car.

Build Quality & Reliability

A green car with style – it certainly ticks the box of the eco-warrior that likes to look cool but be environmentally friendly. But, what about the quality inside? Step inside and you’ll see that Fiat has upped its game, as the cabin looks well made. The plastics are of good quality and the two-tone dash adds to the appeal – the cabin is much classier compared to previous generations. All the shut lines look to be well made and fit nicely while there are no panel gaps to worry about either.

Safety & Security

The Fiat Bravo Eco is packed with a range of safety and security features. To help you stay safe in the event of an accident the Bravo Eco comes with six airbags (including window bags). To help you get stopped quicker and in a more controlled manner the Bravo has anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard while you can get stability control as an option. If you do tick this box, then the package includes a hill start function that holds the car momentarily when pulling away on steep inclines. On the security front you’ll get remote central locking with deadlocks while there are ISOFIX attachments to fit a child securely in the back seat.

Space & Practicality

You’ll not have any loss of space due to the car’s green heart as the Eco pack optimises aerodynamics by incorporating low rolling resistance tyres and taller gear ratios to improve fuel economy and at the same time lowering emissions. The dash is laid out well and the switches are within easy reach of the driver. You’ll get four adults in the Bravo – five is a bit of a squeeze. Due to the contours of the roofline, six footers in the rear lack headroom. The driving position is quite good and there is all-round good visibility, which makes it very easy to park in and around town.

Ownership & Value

So how does the latest green car from Fiat do? It’s a stylish car, which only emits 119g/km, which means £35 on road tax per annum. On the road the Bravo Eco has retained the handling of its sibling models and on the combined fuel cycle, according to official figures it will return 62.8mpg, which means you should be saving money as soon as you buy this variant of the Bravo. If the guide-books look favourably on the Bravo Eco when it comes to the residuals then this Eco warrior is a smart yet stylish choice.

Submitted: 05/06/2008 14:00:58

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