WE live in the age of the health warnings.
To prolong active life be sure not to smoke, drink more than a humming bird, eat anything a cow wouldn’t. Be sure to
walk half a mile backwards every day, only sunbathe in a tent and vote New Gordon.

Now it turns out we have a killer outbreak of driver dropsy.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea Syndrome, or OSAHS, affects over one in 100 people, many of whom fall asleep before mastering the pronunciation.
Fat men who drink aged between 30 and 65 are most at risk.
Esure Motor Insurance helpfully brings you this information, and the news that more people yawn behind the wheel than anywhere else. Esure also uses Michael Winner in its advertising. Which may explain the yawning.
It seems that rather than take regular break, as instructed by nanny, most drivers open a window. Or slap themselves across the face.
What? Tell me, honestly, the last time you saw a driver beating himself up. Where is the advantage in self-inflicted unconsciousness over dropping off peacefully?
I would venture to suggest there is another, more likely, cause of sleeping sickness at the wheel than being Ken Clarke. Boredom.
There are many reasons for being bored on the road. Boring delays, centuries old road works, little princess on board stickers and local radio.
Boring cars don’t help, driven obstructively by beige people who would scarcely arouse interest if they burst into flames in your living room.
The Fiat Bravo, you might think, has the potential to be boring. But it’s not.
People who buy Fiats have, over the years, shown a commendable sense of adventure.
They bought, in numbers, the original Panda which was fitted out as a set of patio furniture. And there was a real love for the X19. Mid engined, not very quick and with a propensity to melt in the rain.
No need then to be surprised at the Bravo’s pretty Italian five-door style. Nothing, except perhaps mama, is as important in Italian life as looks.
Choose the six-speed 1.4 TJet 150 and to this can be added fun.
Thanks to its small turbocharger the TJet pushes out 150bhp, there is also a 120 version, from its conservative 1368cc engine. That’s an interesting amount of power from an engine this small.
With a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds it’s not fast by current standards but it is quick. You will find none of the bone rattling muscle that is normal whenever the bhp is part of a car’s badging. The TJet is relaxed as a Sorrento Sunday lunch with just the hint of the sort of growl that comes form the kitchen during washing up.
Generally the handling is okay but there is a hint of understeer. No matter because it all adds to the Bravo’s easy going nature.
A measly £14,795 brings with it a good level of equipment. Repeater switches on the steering wheel, fat 17-inch alloys, hill hold, cruise, air con, follow-me-home and cornering lights plus the usual electrical equipment. When was the last time you saw a wind up window?
Voice activated sat nav is an option.I don’t think I’ll bother.
Inside the TJet is rather disappointingly grey for a warm hatch but well put together for all that. The exception being the USB connection port for an MP3 player which looks not so much like an afterthought as a place from where something has been stolen.
Although the TJet has so much Italian flair it was designed as the Stilo’s replacement by former Ferrari man Frank Stephenson. I wouldn’t mind betting he’s not from Lazio.
And please, if you must beat yourself to a custard to stay awake, do so only in moderation, say five ‘units’ a week and only under medical supervision.

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