Fiat owners are among the only ones who can afford to smile at the Chancellor’s Budget.

The Italian car maker currently has the lowest C02 emissions across its range of models in Europe with and average C02 output of just 137.3g/km, and that means Fiat drivers will benefit from road tax band changes.

Fiat also happen to have some of the most fuel-efficient small engines on the road, which means they are not only green but very economical.

And just to top things off nicely, Fiat have the most stylish line-up of models they’ve had for many years, so owners can look and feel good about helping to save the environment.

The new sexy Bravo hatchback now comes with a hi-tech 1.6litre diesel engine called the Eco, that has the same low emissions of 119g/km as a 1.2litre petrol and 1.3 turbo diesel. You get a set of longer gear ratios and an ECU adjusted to major on low fuel consumption, the Fiat Bravo Eco betters the standard car by 5mpg. The result is a car that emits just 119g/km of CO2, dropping it into the £35 road tax bracket and making it exempt from the London congestion charge from October.

The Bravo Eco’s low CO2 output is also achieved by the removal of the diesel particulate filter. As a result, the higher NoX and hydrocarbon emissions mean the Eco only meets Euro 4 emissions regulations, while the rest of the 1.6 Multijet range is Euro 5 compliant. Perhaps Eco stands for economical, rather than ecological.

Fiat claim a combined economy of up to 62mpg for the 1.6 diesel, which is heady stuff. Driving normally and mainly around town, the trip on my test car showed over 45mpg, but that’s still impressive in the real world and more than 55mpg would be possible driving with a light right foot.

Performance isn’t shabby either. The diesel has a useful turn of speed and it cruises quietly at motorway speeds.

It has a sporty feel when it comes to the driving package, plus you get a smooth six-speed box, although it isn’t quite as racy as the sharp styling would suggest.

On the inside you get a smart, well laid-out cabin, with a nice combination of piano black trim, but I’m not quite sure about the cushion support of the front seats.

The Bravo Eco is barely different from the lower-powered non-Eco versions. That means it’s refined and smooth enough to rank among the best four-pot diesel family cars.

And in a very British way of doing things, it doesn’t shout from the roof tops that this is an environmentally-friendly car, there are no eco badges on it. But then if you’re doing your bit for the environment, wouldn’t you want people to know about it?

The Eco is frugal and good value; it costs just £300 more than the standard car at £13,855.

If budget motoring without sacrificing any creature comforts is your aim, then the Bravo Eco is perfect.