Dunturin said:

I believe that you can go on MultiECUscan and adjust the rev counter limit ???

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You do it first!

Don't know if its me getting used to the car (almost certainly to some degree) but I've only really hit the limiter in first, occaisionally second when trying a quick takeoff at roundabouts etc.
When I first had the car I thought the upper rev range felt quite weak and "thin" and one got through it very quickly; this feels much less the case now (c6k miles) the upper range gives more and feels chunkier. I think it is not quite as willing to keep giving over 5.5k rpm as the old 1.2 engine, but it of course gives more earlier and more overall, and for any given situation it's going 10 - 20 mph faster than I first thought!
On a recent trip to devon and back I was impressed with how the overall speed can be kept up (c70/80mph along A303 etc so some reasonable long hills to climb) It runs out of puff a bit over 80/85 uphill but will keep going strong up to there. I think I agree with babbo umbro in that a measured application of throttle rather than just flooring it seems to give quick progress with no issues.
I also agree with TA Antartica that it gives it's best up to around 5/5.5k rpm, but probably more like a Guzzi than a Ducati
(bit rambly - hope this makes sense!)

I'd say that's pretty normal for a modern, small turbo. The torque characteristics are more like a diesel, with a nice delivery of torque in the low-to-mid range but running out of puff higher up the rev range. My Skoda TSI redlines at 6k, but it's not a problem as the whole point is to improve fuel economy by maximising useable torque at lower revs. These modern turbos are fantastic, but you can't really have the best of both worlds unless you go down the twin charger route. Electronic superchargers are just around the corner, so maybe things will change in the future. I must admit I wish Fiat offered something other than a choice between an everso slightly madcap two cylinder and... shall we say the mature design of the 1.2 FIRE. 3 or 4 cylinder small turbos seem to be the choice of most manufacters these days.

The reason the rev limiter cuts in earlier in 1st and 2nd is typically due to the rapidly rising revs in the lower gears and the potential to over-rev due to the inertia in the reciprocating mass. The rate of increase in revs in the 4x4 TA in 1st gear is quite alarming and the rev limiter cuts in at about 5400rpm or thereabouts from what I can tell. But the inertia can allow the engine to spin nearer to 6000rpm before I can get into second, such is the motor's enthusiasm and low gearing. Try the same full throttle acceleration in 3rd or 4th and the limiter waits a few 100 rpm later, as the rate of engine rev build is that much less and therefore less chance of it banging into more damaging rev levels.

I'm now on about 13,000 and the engine is definitely stronger (and more economic, although perhaps not at the same time!) than it was at 3000 miles. I have high hopes for a long and reliable life with my TA, but do make sure you change the oil every year at a minimum, regardless of miles or whatever the service indicator or service book says!