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(Thu 07 Feb 08) Fiat, already one of Europe's leading manufacturers in terms of low CO2 emissions, is strengthening its case with the introduction of a new turbo diesel engine, available initially in the Bravo.
The existing 1.9-litre MultiJet engine, already a very impressive unit, is being joined by a 1.6-litre version. This is being produced in two versions, one producing 105bhp and the other 120bhp, and both of them mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. As fitted to the Bravo, they share the same combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures of 57.6mpg and 129g/km respectively, though that's partly because of a quirk in the test procedure. In the real world, the 120bhp car will certainly use more fuel. The 105bhp engine is also being used in a Bravo with an Eco pack. This car bears a close conceptual resemblance to the Volkswagen Group's Bluemotion (VW) and Ecomotive (SEAT) models in that it has revised ECU settings, better aerodynamics, taller gear ratios and low-resistance tyres. The result is an improvement in combined fuel economy to 62.7mpg, and a reduction in CO2 emissions to 119g/km, which in turn means lower VED and possible future exemption from the London congestion charge. |
