| First Drive | Henley, England | Fiat Bravo Eco |

As fuel protests become an ever more common feature of the UK news landscape, Fiat has joined the burgeoning ranks of car makers trying to attract buyers with a tax-busting model that purports to have a parsimonious thirst. The Bravo Eco introduces a range of measures to drop the 1.6-litre turbodiesel's carbon dioxide output below the magical 120g/km mark, while combined economy goes up to 62.8mpg.

In the Metal

You'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a Bravo Eco and a standard version of Fiat's hatch. The Eco sits a fraction lower to the ground, has a smoother underside for improved aerodynamics and there are low resistance tyres, but other than that it's all in the engine bay. The car's electronic brain has been tweaked to give lower emissions, so the Eco produces 119g/km of carbon dioxide yet makes the same 103bhp and 214lb.ft of torque as the standard 1.6-litre turbodiesel model. The Eco also has taller gearing so it uses fewer revs at a given speed to improve economy and emissions - the result is 62.8mpg, which is over 5mpg better than the standard car's.

What you get for your Money

Fiat's Bravo Eco comes in Active and Dynamic trims and is identically equipped to the non-Eco models. That means you get air conditioning, electric front windows, CD stereo and six airbags all included in the price of the Active. You also get 'Follow Me Home' headlights to see you to the front door in the dark and cornering lights to help the driver see round bends at night. Go for the Dynamic version and you get cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, MP3 player connector, climate control and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Driving it

The Bravo Eco may be doing its bit to save the planet, but there are no clues to this from the driver's seat. That's a big compliment as the 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine has been retuned for improved economy and emissions but without compromising its flexibility. With 214lb.ft of torque coming on full song at 2,000rpm, the Eco feels brisk in normal driving situations. It has identical performance to the non-Eco model too, so 0-62mph comes up in 11.3 seconds and top speed is 116mph.

On the move, the Eco happily nips through the gears of its six-speed 'box and is flexible enough to be left in the higher gears most of the time without the engine labouring or acceleration dropping off. The engine is hushed, much more so than the VW Golf BlueMotion's rowdy 1.9 turbodiesel. In every other respect, the Bravo Eco is just like any other model from Fiat's small hatch family. It's quiet at all speeds, handles nimbly - though without the poise of a Ford Focus - and deals with most road surfaces in a business-like fashion. The only disappointment is that the steering feels anaesthetised and short on communication.

Worth Noting

The big advantage of the Eco model is that it saves its buyer on road tax. In 2008, the Bravo Eco will cost £35 per year as it sneaks under the 120g/km threshold, while in 2009 it will drop into the Band B category that pays only £30 road tax. But it's not just the road tax bill that makes the Bravo Eco financially appealing. It has a significantly lower starting price than its key rivals, such as the Ford Focus ECOnetic and Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion. The used car trade may still be a little wary of Fiats (which is reflected in used values), but the likes of the Panda and 500 are breaking down this resistance. Fiat is helping here with a standard five-year warranty for the Eco, as with the rest of the Bravo range, and a no-quibble 25-day money back offer.

Summary

The Fiat Bravo Eco has similar economy and emissions to its main rivals from Ford and Volkswagen. It may not have the polish of the Ford's driving manners or the badge appeal of the VW, but the Italian scores heavily on price and value for money. It's significantly cheaper to buy, coming in at only £255 more than the standard Bravo models, and is well equipped. Throw in Fiat's confidence-inspiring five-year warranty and 22,000-mile service intervals and the Bravo Eco is more than worth considering as fuss-free, environmentally responsible family transport.