Revised Doblo range in UK

A new Fiat Doblo range has just gone on sale in the UK, featuring extensively revised styling, further interior refinement, upgraded specifications, improved functionality and significant performance enhancements achieved through the most comprehensive engine range available in its category.

Doblo has sold over 150,000 units in Europe since going on sale at the end of 2000. The model has achieved great popularity due to its outstanding practicality, flexibility and comfort, together with class-leading interior dimensions.

Priced from £9595-£11,995 on-the-road, the new range continues to represent outstanding value for money. No other competitor rivals the Doblo Dynamic specification in offering air conditioning, radio/CD player and 15" alloy wheels as standard. And no other competitor offers a 7-seat version to rival the Doblo Family, still the best value MPV on the UK market. Moreover, the Doblo is unique in offering a High Roof version, making it ideal for use as a Taxi, or Motability vehicle.

Three brand new engines make their first appearance in the new Doblo range, which now features two 1.4 8v petrol and two 1.3 16v MultiJet turbodiesel versions, with two 105bhp and three 120bhp 1.9 MultiJet turbodiesel versions completing the nine model line-up. All four powerplants are mated to 5-speed manual transmissions.

The previous 1.2 65bhp petrol engine has been replaced by a spirited, 77bhp 1.4 litre FIRE unit, whilst Fiat Auto’s highly successful 105bhp 1.9 litre MultiJet turbodiesel with common rail technology is augmented by a more powerful variant equipped with a variable geometry Garrett turbocharger which boosts power output to 120bhp.

Fiat’s 1.3 litre 16v MultiJet turbodiesel is the smallest and most advanced second generation common rail direct injection turbodiesel in the world. This state-of-the-art powerplant - a 1248cc, 4-cylinder in-line unit with a bore of 69.8mm and stroke of 82mm - features twin overhead camshafts, a chain driven timing system, hydraulic tappets, a cast iron crankcase with an aluminium base, steel crankshaft and connecting rods, and an aluminium cylinder head. It develops 85bhp and an impressive 200Nm of torque at only 1750rpm.

Start-up times, exhaust smoke and fuel consumption are all significantly reduced, noise levels and vibration are lowered to ensure a quieter drive and improved passenger comfort, whilst emissions are also greatly reduced.

Both 1.3 16v and 1.9 8v MultiJet turbodiesels now incorporate a maintenance-free Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), whilst the entire new Doblo range is readily compliant with EURO 4 emissions requirements.

The new Fiat Doblo features extensive styling enhancements, combining an enhanced visual flair which instantly identifies it as the latest addition to the Fiat family with a proven sturdiness and protective solidity. The revised front end weds functionality with a distinctive personality, featuring prominent dual-barrel headlamp clusters mounted above generous, practical, scuff-resistant bumpers. A purposeful new deep V grille design runs full height between the bonnet and a large, aerodynamic front air dam which incorporates integral fog lamps.

At the sides, the practicality of large sliding doors and particularly generous glazing –including an extra-deep front door window to aid low speed manoeuvring, is further enhanced by enlarged protective rubbing strips. At the rear, new high visibility, two tone, vertical tail lamp clusters frame a practical, full height, top hinged tailgate, whilst a new rear bumper design now houses built-in reflectors and optional parking sensors.

At 4250mm long, 1720mm wide and 1818mm in height, the new Doblo is 90mm longer, 10mm wider and 10mm higher than its predecessor, yet it retains the compact dimensions essential to urban practicality. The new Doblo can seat five people in comfort – two large sliding doors allied to raised seating positions making it particularly easy for passengers to climb in and out – whilst offering abundant luggage space; a class leading 750 litres to parcel shelf level. The back seats may also be folded down to create a massive 3000 litres of loadspace, allowing the new Fiat to carry bulky sports or leisure equipment when used for recreation, or large quantities of merchandise when used on business.

The availability of a 7-seat family version further reinforces the versatility of the Doblo range, with the addition of a third row of passenger accommodation in the form of a sliding, foldable bench seat. Offered with a new, more powerful, 85bhp version of Fiat Auto’s groundbreaking 1.3 litre 16v MultiJet turbodiesel, or a 120bhp version of the renowned 1.9 litre 8v MultiJet powerplant, the Doblo Family remains the most affordable 7-seater MPV in the UK market today.

In addition, and unique to this market segment, Doblo can be specified as a High Roof version, this format offering capacious interior volume and making the new Fiat ideal for use as a Motability vehicle, or in the rapidly expanding taxi market.

Already acclaimed for its spacious interior, comfortable seats, first class driving ergonomics and exceptional all-round visibility, the new Doblo further benefits from enlarged door trim panels and a revised dashboard finish featuring dark grey upper, and pale grey lower sections. In addition, on-board practicality has been further improved with the addition of a new, full-width shelf over the windscreen. The Doblo is available in a range of four new cloth upholstery trims and 12 exterior colours, including nine metallic finishes.

The new Fiat Doblo is on sale here in three specification levels – Active, Family and Dynamic – and offers comprehensive standard equipment. Active versions include electric front windows, remote central locking, driver and passenger airbags, a height adjustable driver’s seat and armrest, 60:40 split/folding rear seats with a central, 3-point seatbelt, three rear head restraints, a stereo radio/cassette, ABS with EBD, Follow Me Home headlamps, and larger, 15" wheels.

Family versions boast the same specification as Active models, with the addition of two extra seats with 3-point seatbelts, front fog lights and colour coded bumpers. Over and above the Active specification, Dynamic models feature air conditioning, a stereo radio/CD player, front fog lights, colour coded bumpers and 15" alloy wheels, a standard specification unmatched by any competitor in this market segment.

An options list carefully considered to both enhance life on board and further improve the new Doblo's flexibility includes a unique high roof version, glazed double rear doors, front seat side airbags, heated electric door mirrors, roof bars, a reverse parking sensor, air conditioning, a radio/CD player and CONNECT Nav + – Fiat Auto's unique communications system which is the most advanced infotelematic package on the market. CONNECT NAV+ comes with a wide, 7", full colour active matrix display screen, and offers a map navigation system, atlas function and voice activated commands for the telephone and a voice memo.