DESIGNED BY BUSINESS
 

The New Ducato, designed by the Fiat Style Centre, is distinctive for its original shape and well-balanced volumes. The new light commercial vehicle’s design, inspired by the piercing, aerodynamic lines of high-speed trains, immediately conjures up an impression of dynamism, strength and distinctive personality. This has been achieved by a clever design that emphasises function (this is a commercial vehicle, after all) without giving up anything in terms of good looks and personality. For example, the bumper is divided into three parts to ensure lower repair/replacement costs in the event of an accident. The cab shape also allows one of the best drag coefficients in its category (0.31) while the sharp, square features of the load compartment help improve load volume.

Altogether, while the New Fiat Ducato is still as recognisable as ever, the new styling features have transformed its image to make it more up-to-date and functional. Exactly what you would expect from a vehicle that can meet all trade transport and leisure needs with brisk efficiency. In this sense, it is therefore truly being designed by business.

Clever, practical style

The front view of the New Ducato has a strong personality and is characterized by the interplay of proportions between the large front bumper in contrast with the compact bonnet. This styling solution gives the Fiat light commercial vehicle a sense of strength and solidity combined with the elegance of its lines that continue along the vehicle profile.

In detail, the grey front bumper is divided into three separate parts, with the central part incorporating the grille with its innovative features and proportions. This is painted in an aluminium colour and incorporates a smaller black grille that contains a panel with a large Fiat logo. The wraparound shape of both side parts of the bumpers gives the vehicle a sense of compactness and strength. Lower down, two rectangular niches positioned alongside the cooling grille house the foglight. The bumpers also contain two side hollows with a non-slip surface that provides a support surface to allow the windscreen to be cleaned more easily.

The large polycarbonate headlights with clear lenses feature a rounded profile: they take up the lines of the front end and project them dynamically towards the vehicle roof. The perception of lighting excellence is immediate. The 3 headlights contain high beam, low beam and direction indicator functions. These have been produced using state-of-the-art treatments and help make the New Ducato a distinctive vehicle. The large windscreen also gives the vehicle a great sense of light and visibility while the special flat-blade windscreen wipers feature a low, aerodynamic profile to minimise noise and disturbances due to air turbulence while also ensuring more effective glass cleaning.

The clean shape and wraparound nature of the lines continues onto the side panels in the form of a longitudinal ridge that divides the lower part from the upper part. The sensation of sturdiness is accentuated by broad side protections that also extend over the wheelarches to emphasise their size on Maxi versions.  The upper part of the side reveals a long base (medallion) that, on glazed versions, is occupied by a single flush-bonded glazed surface that enhances the vehicle's length. The sliding side door and its steel guide blend in beautifully with the smooth vehicle side. In glazed and people carrier versions (combi, panorama and minibus), the bonded windows with black outer edges give the vehicle a more modern look. These open by sliding inward and are equipped with a panel to increase the flow of air from inside the vehicle.

The generously sized, originally shaped door mirrors help to reinforce the vehicle’s sturdy appearance. They feature a double parabola to help the driver in all manoeuvres and may be folded down (flag closure system). They incorporate the side direction indicators and three aerials for the GPS, GSM and Radio systems (options). As an option, the door mirrors may be equipped with electric adjustment with a control panel in the driver door panel and a demist function that is activated together with the rear window demist function. In view of the width of the New Ducato, the door mirror electric fold down function (not available on long arm door mirrors) will be particularly appreciated in narrow roads and in garages, warehouses and car parks.

In the case of vehicles that will be used for conversions (particularly those for leisure use), mirrors are available that offer increased body surface area with a built-in direction indicator (this avoids the need to fit the ugly, impractical extension arms required by regulations). The exterior handles on all doors are suitcase type. These are positioned upright to make them easier to grasp and facilitate opening with either the right or left hand.

The rear part of the vehicle reflects the same aesthetic motifs as the side panel and fits in perfectly with the side protections to express a great sense of compactness and sturdiness. The rear side-opening doors are equipped, at the bottom, with a moulding to protect against impact while the rear bumper protects the vehicle and is equipped with a sill coated in an anti-slip material that allows easy access to the load compartment. The original upright, two-tone (red/white) tail lights frame the rear doors and give continuity to the vehicle lines. The third brake light is incorporated in the aerodynamic spoiler located in the upper architrave of the rear doors while the number plate holder, flush with the body, is fitted on the left door flap with the Fiat logo above it.

A new cab for greater comfort

As with the exterior, the interior of the New Ducato also offers a host of major new features. Our stylists and designers have indeed lavished most of their efforts on the passenger compartment. The aim is to achieve outstanding quality of on-board life that promotes roominess, ergonomics and practicality to meet the needs of increasingly demanding customers. The result of this is a modular, comfortable and extremely functional driver’s cabin that looks and feels good because it is practical, harmonious and welcoming.

Dashboard

The new dashboard features a two-tone treatment (grey outer frame and dark grey inner body) and is designed to be user-friendly and practical – and also symmetrical and modular. It is designed as a work surface on which the various controls, dials and compartments are arranged at various depths. This layout gives the dashboard a 3D effect and emphasises the breadth of the passenger compartment.
The result is very pleasing from an aesthetic viewpoint and allows rational management of space while providing a simple, natural view of the instruments that are all easy to recognise and read.

The central module encloses all the main vehicle controls in an easily accessible area: from the gear lever to the climate control adjustment knobs, from the Blue&Me system buttons to the radio controls. The gear lever is located in a position that makes it very easy to manoeuvre. It comes with a syringe control for easier, faster reverse engagement. On the right, in a symmetrical position, you will find a convenient bottle holder, cigarette lighter and a compartment that may contain a roomy ashtray (removable for fitting in the various compartments used by passengers in people carrying versions). The roomy compartment lower down (lockable) can also conveniently house a laptop computer.

A right side module (for left hand drive versions) contains the following, starting at the top: a refrigerated box (combined with the climate control system) that can hold a 1.5 litre bottle, a passenger airbag (optional) or a roomy open compartment divided into two. Below, you will also find a roomy compartment with a flap. The numerous, well distributed, adjustable air outlets also ensure an ideal airflow and create an interesting, decorative shape about the central body.
 

Desk

The desk located in the upper part of the New Ducato dashboard is a useful, original feature that is an example of the vehicle’s ideal marriage between style and formal function. It provides an excellent rest for documents and note-pads and also folds down to blend perfectly into the rest of the facia, when it acts as a paper holder. When necessary, however, it can be lifted and made into a document rest by means of a very practical opening mechanism. Unless a passenger airbag is fitted: in this case, it is locked in horizontal position.

Steering wheel and column switch

The new four-spoke steering wheel is made out of soft, energy-absorbing foam material. It features an ergonomic rim that ensures a particularly strong and safe grip that is also comfortable. The side spokes can optionally be fitted with controls for operating the Cruise Control and radio without taking your hands off the wheel. All this naturally ensures greater safety. Not to mention the fact that the angle of the steering column (41°) and the wheel diameter (just 390 mm) together with the comfort of the seats, ensure the driver a car-type driving position (due also to the axial adjustment of the steering wheel). The two ergonomic column switches (gull-wing) are easy to operate and include the exterior lighting controls while also managing the windscreen wiper, Trip Computer and Cruise Control functions.

Instrument panel

The new elliptical instrument panel is located under a prominent antiglare dome and allows information to be read easily and immediately under all lighting conditions. From left to right you will find the speedometer, rev counter, water temperature indicator and fuel gauge. At the bottom, you will see the digital trip computer display - available in two versions according to the specification. This offers clock and trip counter or mileometre functions. It can also indicate the engine oil level, remind you when your next service is due and indicate faults by means of warning lights.

Door panels

The comfortable, practical door panels on the New Ducato were designed with the same attention to detail as the dashboard. They are equipped with a stylish frame that acts as a convenient armrest and door puller. They incorporate the handle and electric window control panel plus the radio speakers and medium-sized storage compartments. Two pouches are also arranged on two levels: one at waist height for small items to be kept out of sight within easy reach and a very roomy one lower down.

Load compartment

The easy-to-use, square, extremely practical New Fiat Ducato load compartment now also offers easier access. The sliding side door is much easier to open, lock, unlock and close due to new guides. The rear doors can open to 90° and 180° by means of a pushbutton located on the door panel (as an option, the doors may also be provided with a 270° opening). It is also much more convenient to get into the vehicle from the back now a footboard has been built into the bumper.

The New Ducato can be fitted with an optional 12 volt power point that is fitted near the right side pillar near the two side-opening rear doors. It may come in useful for connecting a torch or a lamp for lighting the load. Higher volume vans can be fitted with up to two 15 watt courtesy lights (as an option, one may be removed and used as a rechargeable torch). The rear courtesy light comes on automatically when the doors are opened and is also on a timer to prevent it being left on too long. Because goods always need to be transported in total safety, the new Ducato van is fitted with hooks to hold down goods on the floor. It also comes with fastening rings that fold away so they do not get in the way during loading and unloading operations. Another 4 hooks at the level of the side panel waistline are also positioned near the structural nodes.

To protect the vehicle walls from impact due to load movements, the exterior sides are coated with thermoformed panels up to waist height. A marine-style plastic load compartment floor protection kit and waist to roof panelling are also available as options. Two types of partition are also available to separate cab from load compartment. The first fully glazed and coated with sound-absorbent material (cab side); the second equipped with a sliding door communicating with the load compartment. Both partitions meet DIN 75410 safety regulations for the protection of the driver from possible intrusions of the load into the cab. The standard specification of the New Ducato offers a steel ladder to protect the driver.

Seats

The seats make work and travel aboard the New Ducato particularly pleasant and comfortable. They are designed for wraparound comfort (due to the foam backing) and are covered in cloth, velvet and imitation leather (according to the specification). With their numerous settings, the New Ducato seats allow anyone to find their most comfortable and correct driving position through the axial adjustment of the steering wheel and the adjustable height armrest. In detail, the front seats are equipped with seat-belts with pretensioner and head-restraint. The driver’s seat is equipped as standard with backrest height, reach and rake adjustments (as an option, it may be heated and come with lumbar and armrest adjustments). Another option includes a seat with mechanical springing and a hydraulic damper that offers a fully relaxing drive. This will filter out vertical stress from the road effectively because it is equipped with an adjustment system that modulates damping on the basis of driver weight.

Passenger seats come as a single unit or a two-seater bench. The single seat may be fixed or come with three settings: longitudinal, backrest and armrest. The bench can comfortably accommodate two people and comes with an equipped central console that may be folded down to make a practical table with two can holders, a paper holder and a compartment for housing a portable computer, for example. Convenient storage compartments are located under the driver’s seat, under the passenger seat and also under the bench. Versions used for camping car conversions may also be fitted with rotating front seats with a double armrest, height adjustment and integral seatbelt.

Aerodynamics at the peak of its segment

Aerodynamics is a very important factor for a light commercial vehicle, considering its effects on performance, fuel consumption, acoustic comfort and style. For this reason, the shape of the New Ducato was first analysed by means of computer simulations and mathematical modelling, then subjected to numerous tests in a wind tunnel.

In detail, the main factors affecting the drag coefficient of the vehicle are its shape and volume: a good Cd value usually, however, requires penetrating shapes that detract from cab roominess, volume and load compartment linearity. With the New Ducato, we did not wish to give up these requirements since they are essential factors for consideration in the process of buying a commercial vehicle. The load compartment, for example, is much more likely to appeal to a customer if it offers more exploitable space and is therefore square and similar to a parallel-sided shape with straight walls.

The design procedure used to achieve the aerodynamic target included initial analysis using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) a procedure that allows efficiency checks to be carried out during the product concept definition stage.
The stylistic proposals produced by the Fiat Style Centre were assessed, taking into account the design constraints, in order to reconcile aerodynamic needs with vehicle style and modularity requirements. In particular, the vehicle roof and side panels had to be suitable for vehicles with four different lengths and three different heights. Numerous test sessions were then conducted in a wind tunnel on 1:4 and 1:1 scale models for the final development stage of the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic specifications. The work carried out in the wind tunnel allowed us to refine solutions that ensure outstanding aeroacoustic comfort, in terms of silent operation, through the development and optimisation of the door and window seals for example.

The final outcome is an aerodynamic drag factor (in H2 versions) equal to 0.315: this value sets the New Ducato at the peak of its category. This outstanding Cd allowed us to reconcile the different requirements of offering a front cross section larger than the competition (frontal area of 4.9 m2 on H2 versions) and thus offering a vehicle with improved passenger room and effective volume but with a low Cd by frontal area product, ie. with improved performance and reduced fuel consumption.