Three new additions to Fiat’s 5-door mid-size Bravo range – two 1.6 MultiJet versions and an Eco option – went on sale here earlier this month. These Euro 5-compliant versions join a buoyant Bravo line-up, which has enjoyed significant recognition since its introduction to the UK in June last year.

The 2007 launch marked Fiat’s return to the second largest segment of the UK market, which equates to almost 600,000 cars per year or some 25 per cent of the total. The new engines enhance existing aspects of the Bravo range – with even more impressive economy, lower running costs and notably low emissions.

There are now 17 versions in the UK Bravo range, priced from £10,995 to £16,355 on-the-road, embracing five trim levels – Bravo, Active, Active Sport, Dynamic and Sport. Augmenting an interior design founded on the fundamental pre-requisites of class-leading space, exemplary build quality, and visual and tactile sophistication, the Bravo’s equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board. ABS anti-lock braking, remote central locking, driver and passenger front and side airbags, electric front windows, a CD player, Dualdrive electric power steering and Follow Me Home headlamps are fitted as standard, even within entry level models.

The new 1.6 MultiJet engine brings the number of powerplants offered in Bravo’s UK range to six. The 1.6 has four cylinders in line, 16 valves, and a displacement of 1598 cc.  Two different engines are available: the first developing 105 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque of 290 Nm (214 lb ft) at 2000 rpm; the second developing 120 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque of 300 Nm (221 lb ft) at 2000 rpm. Both units come with a manual six-speed gearbox which generates significantly less noise at motorway speeds and facilitates reduced fuel consumption.

This new 1.6 MultiJet is also available with a special eco-package in 105 bhp form. In addition to revised engine ECU settings, this ‘Eco’ pack employs special measures to optimise aerodynamics, incorporates low rolling resistance tyres and ‘taller’ gear ratios, and returns outstanding fuel consumption and CO₂ figures: 62.8 mpg in the combined cycle (an increase of five mpg on the standard 105 bhp 1.6 MultiJet) and CO₂ emissions of just 119 g/km.

Compared with the current Fiat 1.9 MultiJet 120 bhp unit, the 1.6 MultiJet series represents an important step forward – with the same power, torque is improved by almost 25 per cent at 1500 rpm, and fuel consumption is reduced by eight per cent.

These on-going developments with Bravo fit perfectly with Fiat’s plans to be an environmental leader among the world’s car companies. In 2007, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne announced his intention to push forward with plans, by 2012, to reach the lowest weighted average CO₂ emission level for the cars Fiat produces, compared with its competitors.