New common-rail diesel gives Fiat's Focus challenger better performance and flexibility

What is it?

This is the Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic. It’s now the most powerful Fiat Bravo, fitted with Fiat’s new common-rail 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine.

Increasing the capacity of the direct-injection Multijet engine from 1.9 litres to 2.0 litres has boosted power by 15bhp – up to 165bhp – and added a further 40lb ft of torque.

Fiat has also managed to make the new engine more efficient. It emits 10g/km less CO2 (139g/km) than before and, at 53.3mpg, it delivers 2.9mpg more than the 16v 1.9-litre engine on the combined cycle. The Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic’s diesel particulate filter also helps to extract more pollutants, making this new engine Euro5 compliant.

What’s it like?

The Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic’s new engine provides a strong and steady stream of power. The 266lb ft maximum torque is developed from 1750rpm, and the engine doesn’t noticeably run out of grunt until the top end of the rev range.

The extra 40lb ft makes a noticeable difference, particularly if you’re caught out trying to accelerate in the wrong gear; there’s now always a surge of power on call.

Top-gear cruising is similarly effortless and, despite the known weakness of the bouncy Fiat Bravo ride, it's easy to maintain a steady, quiet and comfortable motorway pace.

Should I buy one?

The engine doesn’t change any of the existing problems of the Fiat Bravo. Its ride is still too fidgety, its steering is too imprecise and woolly, and you’ll still have to put up with the restricted rear view that hampers reversing and makes the rear seats seem a darker, tighter space than they are in many of the Bravo’s competitors.

But as an engine upgrade, the new common-rail Multijet capably blends petrol-like refinement with gutsy diesel clout that the other engine options in the range don’t deliver.

George Barrow

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mmahon 4 March 2009

Re: Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic

Bought the 1.9 Multi-Jet (150) last March and have just completed 36,000 trouble-free miles. My 3 previous cars were all Octavias, the last one with the 2.0 Tdi. I thought that you couldn't get better value for money. I even appeared in AutoExpress (sorry!!) when the Octavia came high in their JD Power survey. The Bravo is better than the Octavia in every department with the exception of some of the trim materials. Ride, handling, performance and economy are all better and the Fiat puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it. Five year warranty is an added bonus, my last Octavia gave up the ghost after 60,000 miles!!

Lee23404 3 March 2009

Re: Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic

montgomery wrote:
As far as I'm aware the 147 and 159 are the only cars in their respective categories with double-wishbone front suspension. ANd the 147 the only one in its class to offer a Torsen diff(Q2). Whoever said a 147 wasn't superior to a Kia has obviuously never actually driven one!

I have driven a 147 actually and apart from the squeeks and rattles my main memory is of the obvious lack of chassis rigidity. The last time I saw a dashboard move while driving over a bumpy road I was in a Peugeot 405 about 15 years ago! It was the first time I drove an Alfa and fortunatly later experiences were better.

I still maintain that the Focus has a better chassis with better mid corner bump absorbtion, superior body control and much faster changes of direction. In short its bloody good fun! As for lift off oversteer that somebody mentioned thats crap. The worst that can be expected is a tightening of its line. Certianly nothing that an average driver (like me) can't handle.

As for the double wishbone suspension both the 407 and new Citroen C5 have it, so no the 159 isn't alone in its class.

montgomery 3 March 2009

Re: Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic

Lee23404]</p><p>[quote glorfindel wrote:
According to just you I think you'll find.
Sorry but you are really wrong. This is about 159 handling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zON4bWsl2Ek And this about the 147/GT Q2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-wBuuLBhn4[/quote]

I've looked at the clips but I'm not sure what they are supposed to prove. The first is in German so I can't understand it but they seem to be saying that the bloated (but beautiful) 159 can outhandle a 3 series and an old shape Mondeo (yes, right) and that the Honda Accord is the worse handling car in the class behind a Vectra (again, yes right).

The second clip is a test of the traction provided by the Q2 LSD so I'm not sure what that is supposed to prove either, other than LSD's provide good traction which I already know. It doesn't provide any evidence to suggest to me that the 147 is anywhere near class best for handling.

Anybody else have an opinion, we appear to be at stalemate here.

[/quote]

The first test is the German-run European Master-Test. It covers thousands of kilometres on road and track by 50 journalists from all over Europe and professional drivers. The 159 came top of every single handling/dynamic test. Outside the U.K that's not such a surprise though. The 159's torsional rigidy was the best in the class when it came out(probably still is) and its suspension layout is also unique in this class I think.

I've seen the 147 top similar tests in Europe on a couple of occcasions(most recently the Q2 a couple of years ago in Quattroruote, ahead of the current A3 second and Golf 3rd). A few years ago Autocar reported on a 24 hour test/race with every C-segment car. The 147 won quite easily. Again, Autocar said "shock victory!" on the cover but in the rest of Europe it's not a shock at all..

As far as I'm aware the 147 and 159 are the only cars in their respective categories with double-wishbone front suspension. ANd the 147 the only one in its class to offer a Torsen diff(Q2). Whoever said a 147 wasn't superior to a Kia has obviuously never actually driven one!