Bravo to Get Fiat's eco:Driving

Fiat's eco:Drive software technology will be expanded to Bravo in the first months of 2009, the Italian carmaker said in an email sent to registered members. The application was initially available for Fiat Grande Punto and Fiat 500, but the automaker said it would expand it to more Microsoft Blue&Me-capable vehicles as soon as possible. “We're launching the service on the beautiful Bravo, and we'll be bringing you some great new features throughout the year,” Fiat said in the email.

In addition, Fiat has also mentioned a bunch of interesting figures concerning the downloadable application and the impact it had on Fiat owners. For example, the automaker claims that Fiat owners participating to the program saved more than 124,000 kg of CO2, which is “equivalent to cooking 240,000 Christmas dinners,” as it explained. “A huge thank you from Fiat, and the planet.”

For those of you who didn't know, Fiat's eco:Drive is a software tool that can be downloaded from the official website of the carmaker and installed on a USB flash drive. After you're done with the configuration process, plug the USB drive into the auto PC port and let eco:Drive do its job. It automatically analyzes fuel consumption, average speed and gear shifts and provides tips on how to drive more economically and to reduce CO2 emissions.

“eco:Drive is an innovative, easy-to-use computer application that will help you improve how efficiently you drive. It analyses your driving style and helps you use less fuel, reducing your CO2 emissions and saving you money. It's an industry leading concept that will evolve and develop with feedback from all the eco:Drivers taking part. And as the numbers grow, the application will automatically update and improve,” Fiat said in the application's description.

For a full screenshot gallery showing the application in action plus a bunch of other details regarding it, check out the following link.