Fiat’s distinctive, well equipped and keenly priced Bravo range of family cars now has an interesting new option that will maximise your miles to the gallon – the “Eco” pack.

The “Eco” pack comprises the new 1.6 litre Multijet diesel stuffed with extra goodies to eke out the most from over-priced fuel. There are new low rolling resistance tyres, taller gear ratios to keep the engine revolutions lower, and a pack of aerodynamic improvements which will allow the Bravo to slip through the air more easily. The engine produces 105 bhp and improves fuel consumption by 5 miles per gallon compared with the normal engine. This now means 62.8 miles per gallon and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 119 grammes per kilometre, according to Fiat.

I drove this version of the Bravo and it is a terrific little car, providing the performance of a much more powerful car if you use the gearbox smartly.

I’ve always wondered that the idea of low rolling resistance tyres might be a double-edged sword. Sure, it sounds great that they resist the road less and presumably create less friction and therefore need less fuel to push them along. But my question has always been, “What happens when you come to the first corner. Won’t you just go straight on because of the lessened resistance of these new tyres”.

I’ve asked manufacturers that question, and been assured that everything will be ok, don’t worry.

But on the launch drive of the new Eco range, admittedly in heavy rain, I braked a bit sharply, and the car suddenly lost grip. I’m not saying that this is a general weakness; that will no doubt be established as driving test reports come in, but it is a worry.

That’s a point that will have to be addressed by the manufacturers of these tyres. Meanwhile, I plan to drive the Eco over an extended period to find out just how many miles to the gallon it will achieve under normal driving conditions, and whether it does have the braking and road-holding qualities of regular tyres.

Fiat Bravo Eco 1.6 diesel – from £14,150

(See Fiat Bravo roadtest -