Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet review

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Fiat Bravo 2.0 Multijet Dynamic First Drive

Test date Thursday, February 26, 2009 Price as tested £18,190

: New engine is good, but the rear is still too cramped for our liking

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.