Review

Review: Fiat Ritmo (2008-09)

2.5 stars

  • Fuel-efficient turbo-diesel engines
  • Responsive turbocharged petrol engines
  • Steering is light…

Review: Fiat Ritmo (2008-09)

Overview

Released in March 2008, the Fiat Ritmo was a small, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Cassino, Italy, the front-wheel drive Ritmo was available with 1.4-litre petrol engines (both naturally aspirated and turbocharged) and 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines. In July 2008, however, the latter was replaced with a less powerful version. All engines were mated to six-speed manual transmissions and the Ritmo was offered in Dynamic, Emotion and Sports variants.

Sold in international markets as the Fiat Bravo, the Ritmo was 4336 mm long, 1792 mm wide, 1498 mm tall and had a 2600 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the Ritmo had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Fiat Ritmo specifications
Engine Variant Years Peak power Peak torque
1.4-litre petrol I4 Dynamic 2008-09 66 kW at 5500 rpm 128 Nm at 4500 rpm
1.9-litre turbo-diesel I4 (‘MultiJet’) Emotion,
Sport
2008 110 kW at 4000 rpm 305 Nm at 2000 rpm
1.9-litre turbo-diesel I4 (‘MultiJet’) Dynamic 2008-09 88 kW at 4000 rpm 255 Nm at 20004pm
Emotion 2009
1.4-litre turbo petrol I4 (‘T-Jet’) Emotion 2008 110 kW at 5500 rpm 206 Nm at 2250 rpm
Sport 2008 110 kW at 5500 rpm 230 Nm at 3000 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, front and outer rear seatbelt pretensioners and load limiting front seatbelts. The Sport variant was also fitted with electronic stability control and traction control.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a left-hand drive Ritmo (sold as the Bravo in European markets) received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.5 out of 37. In the offset crash test, protection from serious leg injury was marginal for the front passenger. Under ANCAP’s methodology, however, only models fitted with electronic stability control were eligible for a five star rating.

Features

Standard features for the entry-level Ritmo Dynamic included a six speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, air conditioning, cruise control, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and front windows, ambient lighting, a height adjustable driver’s seat, tinted windows, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Ritmo Emotion was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, a cooled storage compartment, front fog lamps, heated mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, rear power windows, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, a 12 volt power outlet and chrome door handles and exhaust tip.

Beyond this, the Ritmo Sport added 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45-section tyres, dual zone climate control air conditioning, Bluetooth, sports seats and steering wheel, rear spoiler and voice recognition.

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