2009 Fiat Bravo

The Fiat Bravo range is extended by the brand-new 165 bhp Euro 5 2.0 Multijet

The Fiat Bravo is a leading seller in the most competitive market segment and continues to flaunt its unchallenged technological leadership with the launch of the new 165 bhp 2.0 Multijet with DPF (particulate filter) and type-approved to Euro 5 standards. ( posted on conceptcarz.com)

The innovative version, available in Sport and Emotion specifications at a price (ready-to-drive) of 24,300 euro, confirms the Fiat brand's commitment to the environment in terms of reducing emissions and fuel consumption. All this further underscores the liveliness, flexibility and driving satisfaction that have always been features of the model.

The new 165 bhp 2.0 MultiJet constitutes a natural evolution of the 1.9 Multijet and offers considerable benefits from the viewpoint of performance (with an increase in torque and power) emissions (just 139 g/km) and fuel consumption (5.3 l/100 km over a combined cycle). In detail, the increase in cylinder capacity between the two engine versions was achieved by increasing the bore from 82 mm to 83 mm. The compression ratio was also reduced from 17.5:1 to 16.5:1 (this made it possible to achieve a substantial reduction in NOx levels). Compared to the 1.9 Multijet, the 165 bhp power unit uses a new type of low voltage spark plugs that allow starting with minimum preheating times. Last but not least, compliance with Euro 5 is guaranteed by the use of a close-coupled DPF (CCDPF) that is standard on both versions and an advanced exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) with all subcomponents packed into one small element (EGR module). The Euro 5 type approval also means that the car maintains a high resale value for longer and is given precedence when traffic restrictions are in force.

Despite a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emissions, the 165 bhp Euro 5 Bravo 2.0 Multijet boasts category-topping performance: top speed is 215 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes place in just 8.2 seconds. Car flexibility is also increased due to a torque of 360 N/m that peaks at a lower rpm than on the 1.9 Multijet.

Running economy is also improved: as for the 1.6 Multijet engines, the service interval has been set at 35,000 km (a record for the category that confirms the reliability achieved by Fiat Group Multijet engines).

The new 165 bhp Euro 5 2.0 Multijet is another item in the long list of new products that have been introduced since the Bravo's launch and make this model the benchmark in its category in terms of style and also, increasingly, for its proven substance and state-of-the-art technology. Examples include the introduction of the powerful Turbo T-jet petrol units and the revolutionary 1.6 Multijet diesel engine; the introduction of the innovative Dualogic sequential gearbox; the use and application of the most sophisticated systems and devices for passenger protection and for control of the car's dynamic behaviour, as evidenced by the introduction as standard of a state-of-the-art ESP (Electronic Stability Program) device (not for nothing was the Fiat Bravo awarded a sought-after 5 star rating by EuroNcap); the option of ‘Blue&MeTM', a system created as a joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft that has brought a quantum leap in in-car communication, information and entertainment paradigms to improve comfort and the quality of time spent on board – and lastly Blue&Me Nav, an ultra-efficient pictogram navigation system that allows access to a simple and useful set of telematic services at the best price on the market.

Source - Fiat

Fiat Automobiles sets the European record for reducing CO2 emissions

Among the ten biggest-selling automotive manufacturers in Europe, Fiat Automobiles is the brand that recorded the lowest average CO2 emission value for Fiat vehicles sold in 2007: 137.3 g/km. This record was awarded by the company JATO, world leader for consultancy and research in the automotive field, set up in 1984 and present in more than 40 countries.

The JATO analysis placed the Fiat brand ahead of Peugeot (141.9 g/km), Citroen (142.2 g/km), Renault (146.4 g/km), Toyota (148.8 g/km), Ford (149.1 g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (152.9 g/km), Volkswagen (161.7 g/km), BMW (176.7g/km) and Mercedes (188.4 g/km).

«The results of this important analysis reward Fiat's ongoing commitment to finding innovative solutions to reduce levels of polluting emissions and CO2 – explained Lorenzo Sistino, managing director of Fiat Automobiles -. Fiat's aim is always to stay closer to people's real needs and its commitment does not end here. Irrespective of what is decided by the powers-that-be in Europe, our aim is still to achieve the lowest average adjusted level of CO2 emissions for Fiat cars by 2012. Fiat intends to achieve this result by introducing an action plan on engines and transmissions, in addition to the use of the Eco Drive, an innovative application developed with Microsoft that is able – via the ÚSB Port of the versatile Blue&Me system - to analyse motorists' driving styles, helping them to optimise behaviour in terms of fuel consumption and hence emissions.

Fiat is one of the motoring brands providing the best response, anywhere in the world, to the need to limit the impact of transport on the environment. Fiat is proposing specific solutions that are within the reach of everyone and are available today to achieve this significant goal. This is borne out by the products present on the market; research and development plans; sustainable mobility initiatives promoted in conjunction with governments - and investments in new product development.

Not to mention the fact that Fiat is the European leader in the production of compact cars that are, by definition, more respectful of the environment: For example, two years ahead of time, the Fiat 500 and the Fiat Bravo have already introduced Euro 5 Ready power units (petrol and diesel). And by the end of 2009, most engines in the entire Fiat range will be Euro 5 ready.

Fiat is also the first manufacturer to develop the Multijet technology that drives all new-generation diesel cars and is a world leader in the field of methane-driven OEM cars (more than 50,000 were sold last year in Italy). Fiat also believes that methane propulsion systems are currently the most appropriate and readily-available technology for resolving pollution problems in urban areas. This is because the use of methane has positive implications in terms of environmental benefits (reduction of approximately 23% in CO2 emissions and reduction of PM to practically 0), and also in financial terms. Fiat, a leader in this technology, is the first manufacturer to offer Natural Power in its low-emission range, a wide array of vehicles with methane-petrol dual fuel, systems able to meet the mobility requirement of an extensive category of users, including the trade sector: including the Doblò (and Doblò Cargo) the Punto (and Punto Van), Multipla, Panda (and Panda Van) - and the Grande Punto due to go on sale by the end of the year.

As it continues its quest for alternative fuels, Fiat is downsizing its diesel and petrol engine versions, as demonstrated by the new 1.4 T-Jet and 1.6 Multijet families. In particular, the adoption of a new-generation turbocharger, combined with a smaller capacity engine, allows us to achieve performance levels that are comparable to or even better than higher-capacity power units, but with lower fuel consumption and emissions.

Source - Fiat

The new Fiat Bravo earns a five star Euro NCAP rating

The new Fiat Bravo has been awarded the prestigious five star Euro NCAP rating, placing it at the top of its category for safety, with a total score of 33 points. This is an important accolade which, together with the similar ratings given to the Grande Punto and Fiat Croma, is confirmation of the commitment of Fiat Automobiles SpA to all aspects of driver and passenger protection.

In the case of the Fiat Bravo, this commitment has yielded outstanding results. To achieve this, the designers considered every single possible type of accident: head-on and lateral collisions, rollovers, rear-end collisions and fire. Other factors taken into consideration included the different speeds at which accidents occur, obstacles and the protection of occupants with widely differing physical attributes. In all, over fifteen thousand hours of computations were carried out, along with sixty crash tests, a hundred and fifty simulations with the HyGe sled and a hundred tests on components and subsystems. These figures are proof of the company's resolve to make the Bravo one of the safest cars on the road.

This remarkable safety performance has been made possible by the many sophisticated systems available with the new model (standard equipment levels depend on local markets and versions). These include an array of passive safety devices, with two front airbags (the driver has a two-stage bag), two front side bags, two window bags and a knee airbag for the driver. On top of these are three point seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, five head-restraints and the FPS fire prevention system. Bodyshell elements such as the bonnet, door and dashboard cross member also contribute to protecting the occupants. Lastly, a number of other components also play a part in passive safety, such as the seats and steering column, which have been designed bearing in mind their behaviour in a crash.

Furthermore, the new car's consistent and predictable handling means that it can absorb a certain degree of driver error and easily cope with critical situations. In addition to a high performance brake system, the Fiat Bravo also features the latest generation electronic braking and traction control systems to ensure safe dynamic performance. These include ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) and, most importantly, ESP (Electronic Stability Program), a system that steps in under near critical conditions, when the stability of the car is at risk, to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle. The ESP system installed on the Fiat Bravo includes a number of additional functions, namely ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), which limits wheelspin in the event of low grip road conditions; MSR (Engine Torque Regulation), which comes into play during rapid downshifts, reducing engine torque and preventing the drive wheels from locking up; HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance), an electronic-hydraulic system that acts in the event of emergency braking; and lastly, the Hill-hold function to facilitate uphill starts.

Fiat Bravo is therefore a car designed and built to attain the highest standards of safety and reliability. This guarantee of peace of mind is attracting growing public approval, as demonstrated by the 9,500 orders received to date in Italy, the 620 thousand visitors during the recent Open Doors initiative held by Fiat dealerships and the 350 thousand web surfers taking part in the 'Quellichebravo' blog. This is a remarkable success, which bodes well for the car's forthcoming debuts on the main European markets, with a French launch date of March 17, followed shortly afterwards by launches in Switzerland, Holland, Germany and Spain.

Source - Fiat