The Fiat Bravo is a leading seller in the most competitive market segment, i.e. compact saloons, and continues to flaunt its technological leadership with the launch of a new Dualogic sequential gearbox on the Dynamic and Emotion specifications (that are most popular with Bravo model customers). The price tag of a car fitted with Dualogic is EUR 800 than that of the same versions with manual gearbox. It may be fitted to the 120 bhp 1.6 diesel Multijet or 120 bhp 1.4 petrol Turbo T-jet (the 6-speed versions in both cases).

The “Dualogic” describes the device's ability to operate in two different modes: automatic mode, designed for comfort and fuel consumption, and manual mode for greater driving satisfaction, enhanced by paddle controls behind the steering wheel.

This innovative transmission and the two engines described above have been combined to create an ultra-new specification known as Sport Drive that is as sporty as its name suggests. Beginning with an exterior with a racy spoiler, side skirts and exclusive alloy wheels with diamond-shaped spokes alternating with chrome shadow spokes. The theme is continued inside with wraparound sports seats in hi-tech cloth, aluminium pedal unit, dashboard with top-quality black carbon fibre effect, sports steering wheel and handbrake (both in leather with red top-stitching). The Sport Drive also comes with Dualogic gearbox paddles behind the steering wheel as standard: this hi-tech detail adds to the driving satisfaction.

In detail, the on-the-road prices of the 120 bhp 1.4 Turbo T-Jet with Dualogic are: EUR 20,350 for the Dynamic, EUR 21,350 for the Emotion and EUR 21,250 for the Sport Drive. The 120 bhp Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet DPF with Dualogic is available at EUR 22,100 (Dynamic), EUR 23,100 EUR (Emotion) and EUR 23,000 (Sport Drive).

The Dualogic is another item in the long list of new products that have been introduced since the launch and make the Bravo model the benchmark in its category in terms of style and also, increasingly, for its proven substance and state-of-the-art technology. Examples include the introduction of the powerful Turbo T-jet petrol units and the revolutionary 1.6 Multijet diesel engine (the only Euro5-ready engines in the category); the user application of the most sophisticated systems and devices for passenger protection and for control of the car's dynamic behaviour, as evidenced by the introduction as standard of a state-of-the-art ESP (Electronic Stability Program) device (the Fiat Bravo was not awarded a sought-after 5 star rating by EuroNcap for nothing); and lastly the option of “Blue&MeTM” – a system created as a joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft that has shifted in-car communication, information and entertainment paradigms to improve comfort and the quality of time spent on board and also Blue&Me Nav, an ultra-efficient pictogram navigation system that allows access to a simple and useful set of telematic services at the best price on the market.

Dualogic gearbox operating procedure and benefits

The Dualogic gearbox represents the next generation of sequential, robotised automatic transmissions: a cutting-edge smart system processes a complex set of information on the car’s status and the driver’s intentions and automates clutch and gear engagement through electro-hydraulic actuators. The main advantages of the Dualogic system are ease of use and a reduction in driver fatigue, particularly around town, because gear shifts can be controlled automatically or manually (under sporty driving conditions, in other words high revs and full throttle, gearshifts can be carried out within a record time of 190 ms); greater efficiency and a reduction in average fuel consumption and emissions compared to a manual gearbox; the prevention of driver errors and a consequent improvement in driving safety. The Dualogic also ensures effective integration with the latest-generation ESP fitted to the Fiat Bravo, because the Hill-holder system is engaged automatically whenever the car meets pre-established gradient conditions, rendering a handbrake unnecessary during hill starts (this is a limitation of most automatic transmissions on the market).

The Dualogic offers two operating modes: semiautomatic (manual) and automatic: with the first function, gear shifts take place sequentially by simply pressing a lever on the tunnel. In manual mode, drivers are free to enjoy a an entertaining drive over mixed/fast routes, yet without reducing comfort during low-speed drives. Driving satisfaction and the sensation of sportiness increased when the gear is selected using the steering wheel paddle controls in exactly the same way as as on present-day Formula 1 racing cars. When automatic mode is active, the control unit takes over control of selecting the best ratio for the driving conditions. Two operating strategies are available: Normal and Economy: The former places the emphasis on driving comfort while the latter ECO setting aims to reduce fuel consumption by shifting gears at the most effective junctures.

The Dualogic also ensures important benefits for the customer in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance costs. For example, a 120 bhp 1.4 T-Jet engine equipped with a Dualogic is capable of a 3% reduction in fuel consumption (equivalent to 0.2 l/100km) compared to the same engine version fitted with a manual gearbox. This information is even more interesting when you consider that this 1.4 litre unit - with 206 Nm delivered at just 1750 rpm - is the power unit with the highest torque delivery in its power band: these are usually aspirated engines with a 1.6 litre capacity. Compared to them, the 1.6 bhp 1.4 T-Jet offer significantly greater sparkle and flexibility in all situations even though its fuel consumption is in line with average figures.

The performance of the 120 bhp 1.6 Multijet is even more attractive because, when fitted with a Dualogic gearbox, this engine consumes 6% less (equivalent to 0.3 l/100km) than with the manual gearbox. This power unit is also fitted as standard with a particulate filter that makes it the only Euro5-ready engine in its category. It therefore boasts particularly low emissions, in line with the ultra-tough limits imposed by future Euro5 standards (due to become compulsory on new cars from 2011): suffice it to say that the CO2 emissions of this engine are just 120gr/km, a level that also attracts a government incentive of 800 € for the scrapping of a pre-1999 Euro 0, 1 or 2 used car. Customers who buy a Fiat Bravo Euro5 will also be making an investment for the future: the car’s residual value after 2011 will be, as has occurred in the past, greater than the value of rival Euro4 cars.

Not to mention the fact that, when it comes to performance, this version’s engine capacity of just 1.6 does not prevent it from delivering a mighty torque of 300 Nm (the highest level in its category) at just 1500 rpm. Last but not least, a service interval of 35,000 km (a record for this category) guarantees very low running costs while confirming the car’s excellent level of sturdiness and reliability.