Fiat Bravo: Well Done!

A year after its launch, the Fiat Bravo has proved that it can compete at the highest level in the main segment of the European car market. The sales figures are the best proof of this: more than 90,000 vehicles were sold in Europe during 2007 (compared with target sales of 70,000) and 120,000 orders were placed, of which no fewer than 60% were from abroad. Alongside these excellent performances, the model has also notched up an absolute record: since last April, when the delivery programme became fully operational, the Fiat Bravo has been the highest-selling compact 5-door car in Italy.

These commercial results are even more interesting if we consider that the sales mix in Europe is made up of the more luxurious versions of the car: 35% of customers opted for top of the range models (Emotion and Sport), 60% chose the Dynamic version, while 55% of customers went for the lively 1.9 Multijet engine (120 bhp).

In short, the Fiat Bravo has not only reached the ambitious targets set - it has exceeded them. Its customers are younger than the average age for this segment - dynamic, style-conscious and looking for the performance that only an Italian car can provide, without losing out on the functionality offered by the large boot and spacious interior. When interviewed several months after their purchase, the customers also stated that they were extremely satisfied with the vehicle's quality: a result that confirms the excellent trend in internal quality markers, on a par with those for the Fiat Panda.

But the success of a car must face the harshest of all tests: time. This is why a series of important new features have been implemented to meet customers' new demands. For example? Last July saw the introduction of a new series of "downsized" 1.4 T-Jet engines (150 and 120 bhp). These engines use a new generation turbo compressor combined with a lower displacement engine which generates a performance equal to or even superior to higher displacement engines, yet with lower consumption and emissions.


Today, the Fiat Bravo is continuing the theme of constant renewal with the new 1.6 Multijet 16v engine. Multijet and multivalve - a latest-generation turbo diesel power plant that confirms Fiat's outstanding technological capabilities when it comes to designing and developing diesel engines.

Available in two power versions (105 or 120 bhp, the first on sale in January and the second from March), the brand-new 1.6 l completes the range of engines from FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies - which includes cylinder capacities of 1.3, 1.9 and 2.4 litres. The new engine is the ultimate combination of the successful Multijet turbo diesel and the many benefits (including tax breaks) of the "downsizing" philosophy. The ideal solution, if you want to strike the right balance between respect for the environment and low running costs without giving up on power and elasticity, for true driving pleasure.

Compared to the well-known 1.9 Multijet 120 bhp, the 1.6 Multijet series represents an important step forward, with considerable advantages:

• torque improved by almost 25% (300 Nm at 1500 rpm) and consumption reduced by 8% measured on the NEDC cycle);

• acceleration from 0-100 kph in just 10.5 seconds, while pick-up from 80-120 km/h in 5th gear is almost 4 seconds lower;

• enhanced acoustic comfort with noise values improved by 5%.

What's more, thanks to the new 1.6 Multijet, the Fiat Bravo has notched up some remarkable records in its category:

• it is the first Euro5-compliant car, well ahead of the legal deadline, and has the lowest HCNOx emissions in its category.

• it is one of the few cars in this power segment with a 6-speed manual gearbox (in both the 105 and 120 bhp versions);

• it has the highest specific torque (i.e. in relation to the displacement), in the power categories up to 200 bhp;

• maximum torque is delivered at lowest revs: just 1500 rpm for an availability of 290 Nm and 300 Nm generated respectively by the 105 bhp and 120 bhp versions;

• this is borne out by the acceleration values, the best among all engines up to 120 bhp;

• it is the only car with 35,000 km service intervals, reducing ordinary maintenance costs by 25% (calculated on distances travelled of 90,000 or 100,000 km, the most frequently used distances in long-term leasing agreements).

In short, the new 1.6 Multijet 16v adds that something extra to a winning model that has once again confirmed Fiat's global leadership in the field of diesel engines.