MultiJet and Eco options for Fiat Bravo
Bravo Eco models likely to be exempt from the Congestion Charge
Author: David Miles
Published: 05 June 2008
At the UK media launch of three new additions to their five-door, mid-sized C-segment Bravo range Fiat UK’s managing director Andrew Humberstone let it be known that he is in the process of shaking up their dealer network ahead of a much needed growth in sales.
Currently he is in the process of visiting every one of their 167 dealers and he isn’t too impressed with what he has seen at some of the outlets.
He said they by actually going to dealerships it is clear that some of them haven’t made the investment we expect of them but then some have an unbelievable relationship with their customers which is vitally important.
He said Fiat UK have 167 dealers now and they are aiming for 200 by 2010 but in the meantime 20 per cent of them who do not meet our requirements for sales performance and customer service will be axed and replaced.
Fiat is investing millions in the brand with new technologies and model ranges and the quality is getting much better. UK sales just have to grow from the current position of 59, 400 units last year to 100,000 sales by the end of the decade.
In 2002 Fiat’s UK annual sales were 82,915 but they have dwindled to just over 59,000 since then, despite the launch of new models including the Fiat 500.
The Fiat Bravo range is one that has under-achieved since its launch last June and three new additions to the range have now been added to the line-up.
The Bravo’s appeal to retail buyers has recently been improved with the introduction of a five-year warranty offer and a money-back if-not-satisfied guarantee. Fiat UK started the scheme in April and as yet has not had any Bravos returned.
Current annual Bravo sales in the UK are around 9,000 units but Fiat wants to double this total at least and this they say will be helped by the additions of these new engines with additional power units to be added in the future.
The three new additions to the Bravo range are two 1.6-litre MultiJet diesel engines, 105 and 120bhp, and a £295 Eco pack option consisting of taller fifth and sixth gear ratios and low resistance tyres for the 105bhp Active and Dynamic models.
Fiat expect that running cost conscious customers will mean that 50 per cent of buyers who opt for the new 1.6 MultiJet engine will choose the 105bhp Eco variant, 20 per cent will buy the standard 105bhp unit and 30 per cent of customers will go for the 120bhp engine option.
The revised 17 model Fiat Bravo range is priced between £10,995 and £16,366. There are five trim and equipment levels, Bravo, Active, Active-Sport, Dynamic and Sport with six engine options ranging from 1.4-litre petrol through to 1.9-litre MultiJet turbodiesel.
Nearly 60 per cent of UK customers For Bravo have so far opted for petrol engine models but Fiat UK say the balance might change with the introduction of the latest new 1.6-litre diesel units, although the significantly higher price of diesel fuel over petrol might not help.
Fiat joins the green rush by launching low-consumption, low-emissions Bravo hatchback models, but can the Italian manufacturer match the other 'green' models on the block?
Fiat has launched three new engines for its Bravo hatchback range, including two new diesel 1.6-litre MultiJet options and an Eco model
With its current range freshened up and appeal widened, Fiat have released figures to accompany the spec for the new Bravo Multijet.
Fiat has added a sub-119g/km Multijet diesel engine to its Fiat Bravo hatchback range.
New Bravo will be increased in price by £500 from October, says Fiat, as new 120bhp T-Jet launches.
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