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Fiat Doblo Cargo
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Fiat Doblo Malibu
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Fiat Ducato
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Fiat Scudo
Customers
who choose a Fiat light commercial vehicle are buying a reliable, sensible
product that can meet all needs. Because Fiat offers one of the most diverse
ranges currently available on the market. The range is comprehensive in
terms of products, from the tiny Panda Van to the Ducato Maxi, and also
the range of specifications and solutions for each model.
Ten vehicles are on show
in Paris. The star of the show is the new Fiat Ducato range with revised
exterior styling, engines and interiors. The driver's cab offers a great
array of features and innovative technical solutions that make the model
a benchmark in its category in terms of driving comfort, quality of life
on board and telematics.
The Ducato stands alongside
the Fiat Scudo that features a new front end on top-of-the-range versions.
Two versions can be seen at the Show: a Chassis Cab and a Glazed Van, both
with long wheelbase. Last but not least comes the sturdy, agile Fiat Doblò
Cargo 1.9 JTD. This versatile, reliable, economical commercial vehicle
is compact but also able to offer plenty of volume and great load capacity.
Almost all the Fiat light commercial vehicles on show in Paris are special outfits to highlight the profitable co-operative relationship between body/conversion shops: camper vans, armoured security transport, refrigerated containers, tip-up boxes and mobile offices. The Paris line-up also includes a Fiat Punto Van and a Multipla Van, car-based commercial vehicles that combine comfort and handling. The Punto Van is a clear example: a payload of more than 500 kg and 1 cubic metre of effective volume make this the ideal vehicle for small-scale transport and service operators, small businessmen and tradesmen.
The Paris Motor Show also gives Fiat Auto a chance to show off its activities within a sector, i.e. light commercial vehicles, where it has done really well in recent years. By the end of June, west European sales had risen to nearly 111,000 with a market share of 12.2% compared to 11.5% for the same period in 2001. This success sets the Fiat brand in second place in the European light commercial vehicle market.
In the specific case of France, the market share rose to 7.1% during the first 6 months of 2002 compared to 6.9% for the same period last year. In Italy, the share settled at 43.8% for the first half of this year, compared to 42.5% in 2001.
The
Ducato has enjoyed great success with west European sales of more than
16,000 between March (when the new range was launched) and June. This represents
a 23% increase over the same period last year. Leisure conversions have
also won the vehicle another record. The Fiat model has become European
leader in this sector in recent years with some 65 percent of the market
share. The credit goes to the technical specifications of a vehicle that
has been designed for easy conversion by mobile home body shops.
The model meets customer needs due to its very versatile range, great load capacity, payload (from 1100 to more than 1700 kg) and volume (from 7.5 to 14 m3). It is also the category benchmark in terms of on-board comfort and practicality and also for new infomobility technologies. The driver's cab has also been fully revised, made particularly comfortable and designed to ensure optimum roominess and greater comfort. A host of devices also make life easier: a rear TV camera, parking sensor, Cruise Control and CONNECT, the most advanced integrated infotelematic tool currently available.
The comfortable, safe and reliable Fiat Ducato comes in very many versions, about 600, that arise out of the combination possibilities offered by one of the biggest, most diverse ranges in the segment. It includes three payload categories, four wheelbases, three total heights, six engines, two drive configurations (4x2 and 4x4) and four user categories: goods transport vehicles, people carrying vehicles, vehicles for mixed use and bodyshop conversion bases.
The engines all offer outstanding performance, excellent efficiency, sturdiness, reliability and particularly low fuel consumption. One engine to watch is the brand-new Sofim 81 kW (110 bhp) 2.3 JTD 16v unit that combines very low fuel consumption with the advantage of very long maintenance intervals: e.g. the oil only needs changing every 40,000 km. This new power unit is joined by two more Common Rail turbodiesels: the 62 kW (84 bhp) 2.0 JTD and the classic 93.5 kW (127 bhp) 2.8 JTD that accounts for 60% of model sales. Last but not least come a 81 kW (110 bhp) 2.0 petrol unit and two low environmental impact engines with dual fuel systems, i.e. petrol-lpg, Gpower, and petrol/methane, Bipower. The latter is on show in Paris to confirm Fiat's undertaking to safeguard the environment. These versions are designed to preserve all the load space by arranging the cylinders under the floorpan. It goes without saying that sophisticated production methods have been used to ensure outstanding handling, good performance, low fuel consumption and minimum emissions, all in complete safety.
The,
Fiat Scudo offers a multi-faceted answer to present-day European town and
intercity goods transport needs. The large, diverse range is made up of
seven models (short or long wheelbase glazed and panel vans, chassis cabs
with short or long wheelbase floorpans and Combis for people and goods)
and four engines (petrol-driven 100 kW-136 bhp 2.0 16v, 51 kW-69 bhp 1.9
diesel and a 2.0 JTD developing 69 kW-94 bhp or 80 kW-109 bhp with 8 and
16 valves). Combi versions with a 2.0 petrol engine are also available
with an automatic self-adaptive four-speed transmission.
The Scudo comes with numerous
attributes: on-road behaviour, high performance, competitive running costs
and practicality. Not to mention generously-sized sliding side door and
rear door, plenty of width between wheelarches and reduced ground clearance
to facilitate loading and unloading operations. This is combined with significant
carrying capacity: up to 900 kg payload (including the driver) and up to
five cubic metres of usable volume.
The carefully soundproofed
and climate-controlled cab is spacious and well-lit with plenty of passenger
room and car-standard comfort. The styling has now been revised in the
people-carrier versions and in top-of-the-range vans. This is apparent
in the new front end that makes the Scudo look even more appealing.
Sales of the Doblo during
the first half of this year amounted to 25,000 compared to some 16,000
last year. The share also rose from 6.6% to 11%. In France, this is the
best-selling commercial vehicle in its segment among models produced by
non-local manufacturers.
This success is due to the
following benefits:
- a large, well laid-out
load compartment, 1680 mm long, 1470 wide and 1305 high)
- 3.2 cubic metres of volume,
3.8 in high top versions, a segment record
- interior area of 2.2 square
metres 625 or 805 kg of payload
- width between wheelarches,
1200 mm, and a low rear access threshold, 535 mm, coupled with a big sliding
side door, 685 mm, to facilitate goods loading and unloading
The ergonomic passenger compartment is designed as a comfortable, well laid-out work station with everything within easy reach. Not to mention many devices to make life on board more pleasurable: from a radio with CD player to reversing sensors for parking and CONNECT.
The Fiat Doblò majors on safety: preventive, active and passive. an easy drive and exceptional roadholding assure complete control under all service conditions. When it comes to passive safety, the new model offers two front airbags and two sidebags.
Lastly, the Fiat Doblò Cargo aims to meet all needs with 20 body types divided into two specification levels and four engines: Fire 47.5 kW - 65 bhp 1.2 8v, 76 kW - 103 bhp 1.6 Torque 16v (both petrol-driven), a 46 kW - 63 bhp 1.9 D aspirated diesel and a 74 kW - 100 bhp 1.9 JTD.
The Fiat Doblò Malibù has sold more than 4000 units since its launch in March. This particular version of the Fiat Doblò is designed for young drivers who love to travel in comfort in a vehicle that stands out in a crowd. It is easily identifiable by a front end with body-coloured bumper and grille painted metallic-grey to match numerous other features such as the longitudinal roof rails, alloy wheels, door and tailgate handles and door mirror farings. These features stand out against the metallic Vitality Blue body, available only on this special version. Wheelarch strips and sideskirts also protect the most exposed parts from minor impact.
The original interior also features dedicated bright-looking cloth, soft-look paints (dome, dashboard, passenger airbag, front door handles, sliding side door handles) and more metallic grey paint on certain details such as the central control panel, speaker grilles, door handles and tailgate strut. Other features include an instrument panel with a white background and a subwoofer to improve the acoustic qualities of the standard radio system.
Two engines are available: the 1.9 JTD Common Rail (displayed on the stand) and the petrol-driven 1.6 16v. The former is ideal for customers who travel a lot and seek comfort and fuel saving in addition to petrol-standard performance. This engine produces maximum torque of 200 Nm-20.4 kgm at 1500 rpm and maximum power of 74 kW-100 bhp at 4000 rpm along with low fuel consumption. On the petrol 1.6 16v version some 85% of the drive torque, i.e. 145 Nm -14.8 kgm at 4000 rpm, is available between 2100 and 5800 rpm. Maximum power is 76 kW-103 bhp at 5750 rpm.
