More awards for Van of the Year

The new Fiat Doblò Cargo, voted International Van of the Year 2006 by a jury of specialist Light Commercial Vehicle journalists from 19 countries, has just won another two important accolades – Best Compact Van by Professional Van & Light Truck Magazine, and LCV winner in the first ever GreenFleet Fuel Challenge.

In securing the Best Compact Van award at this year’s Professional Van & Light Truck Awards, the new Fiat Doblò Cargo beat off strong competition from Ford, Citroën and Peugeot to claim top honours.

This year’s PV & LT judging panel consisted of seven judges, and differed from previous years in that it included five independent light commercial vehicle users in addition to two members of the magazine’s editorial team. The five independent judges are all business professionals, including van drivers and company and fleet managers, thus ensuring that each vehicle was stringently evaluated.

Commenting on the award, PV & LT editor, John Fife, remarks: "Last year’s comprehensive restyle, along with a much enhanced mechanical package, made a huge difference to the Doblò Cargo, and the interior layout looks as though it has been designed by someone who drives vans professionally."

The GreenFleet Fuel Challenge was part of the first ever GreenFleet Arrive 'N' Drive event attended by fleet managers from across the UK. It took place at Silverstone Circuit in April this year, with the aim of discovering which vehicles are the ‘greenest’, and which offer the greatest economy over 10 laps (32 miles) of Silverstone Circuit. The vehicles entered into the Challenge represented a broad selection of today’s fleet choices, classed by their Eco Band rating.

Fiat’s Doblò Cargo 1.3 16v MultiJet diesel won the Light Commercial category, in which there was a total of four entries. It was driven by Paul Godden, brand manager, Fiat Commercial Vehicles, who managed to coax a remarkable 89.91 mpg out of the Doblò Cargo.

In total, 20 vehicles in various categories took part in the event, with the driving seats occupied by fleet managers and manufacturers’ representatives, who were accompanied by a qualified instructor. The idea was to demonstrate fuel economy over the 10 laps, highlighting the extent to which driving techniques affect fuel consumption. Each vehicle was required to make two stops to simulate urban driving conditions, with the first lap completed by the instructor. The teams were allowed a maximum of one hour’s driving time to complete the 10 lap distance, with the maximum speed allowed set at 70 mph.

Each vehicle was independently checked before and after the event by Fuel Challenge partners, Millbrook Testing. Prior to the Challenge, entrants were briefed on defensive driving techniques by IAM Fleet, part of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Commenting on Doblò Cargo’s latest accolades, Kevin Henderson, Fiat Commercial Vehicles director says: "Following on from the International Van of the Year, these two important new awards represent further recognition of what is obviously a class-leading van. It is particularly pleasing to see that both business professionals and fleet managers are recognising the great value proposition that Doblò Cargo represents."