10/10/2008 07:18. When Fiat launched their new Bravo to the Irish market just over 12 months ago Geoff Smyth, their Irish CEO at the time, said they were willing to drop the price of the new car to try and gain a foothold.

Geoff admitted that Fiat had problems convincing people that the Italian company was capable of building good, reliable cars. And they were, he said, willing to drop the price of the car by up to 10 per cent below that of their rivals.

Prices are still low, starting at e19,695 for the 1.4 petrol model. Sales have been good especially in Fiat's homeland of Italy. Overall in Europe last year 90,000 Bravo units were sold.

Having previously driven the petrol model, this time I was due to drive the new diesel 1.6 multijet model, which costs e19,995. But unfortunately the diesel model was... // Northside People