Hard of the heels of reports that Fiat brand CEO Luca De Meo has indicated that he wants to see the brand new Fiat Bravo competing in a special FIA World Touring Car Championship class which will be reserved for diesel-powered cars in 2008, comes news that one concern is getting off the mark quickly with the new car, and will be out on track with it later this month.

Florence-based official dealership Fiat Brandini in collaboration with Società Promo Racing will run a new Bravo at the Mugello circuit on 18th February inviting guests to get a first impression of what the car will be like in track conditions. Although not the prelude to a racing programme the Bravo, which will be powered by a 1.9-litre 16v Multijet with 150 bhp, will be piloted by Gianni Bellandi, already a Fiat tester and also a driving instructor for Ferrari. He will offer rides to potential customers around the demanding track, allowing them to see the potential of the new C-segment. The programme scheduled to run until 4th March. Launched into the Italian dealerships at the beginning of this month the Bravo is already shaping up to be a hit, with 1,000 orders being taken during the debut weekend.

There is rapidly growing interest amongst major car manufacturers in racing "alternative fuel" powered vehicles, both as a development curve and as a showcase of their products. Audi achieved instant racing fame last year when their new diesel-powered R10 sportscar won the 12 Hours of Sebring in the USA at its very first attempt; while Fiat's robust and powerful 1.9 16v Multijet has already won important honours. The unit has already proved itself capable in the most demanding of arenas, winning outright the "alternative fuels" class (S1) of the Nürburgring 24 Hours three years on the trot (2003, 2004 and 2005) in the Alfa Romeo 147.
 

To even consider winning this fearsome car-breaking race, firstly the car has to survive 24 hours of racing on one of the world's toughest and most legendary race tracks, known for good reason as the "green hell". This year the Grande Punto, powered by the 1.9 Multijet, is expected to compete in a number of touring car championships, including series' as far away as South Africa and Australia. Next year manufacturer interest in diesel power is expected to see a string of brands entering alternative fuel cars in a dedicated class within the FIA World Touring Car Championship. If the Multijet-powered Bravo does make an appearance in the WTCC next year, well as turbodiesel powered cars from touring car regulars such as BMW and Chevrolet (the latter unveiling a WTCC diesel concept car, the Ultra, at the Paris Motor Show last autumn), the grid is expected to also see an ethanol-fuelled Volvo S60 entered by Swedish outfit Polestar Racing.

Meanwhile Fiat Auto will be represented once again in this year's FIA World Touring Car Championship by the N.technology Alfa Romeo concern, who last month announced that two-time British Touring Car Champion, James Thompson will return to the team for a full campaign in 2007. The 31-year-old racing driver, who drove for the Italian outfit as a guest several times during the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and then in a full time capacity during 2005, will lead N.Technology’s World Touring Car championship campaign at the wheel of the Alfa Romeo 156. A second driver has yet to be announced, but is expected to be confirmed shortly.