Fiat out in force at Commercial Vehicle Show 2008

An impressive fleet of commercial vehicles, displaying the breadth and depth of Fiat Professional products, is on display at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham’s NEC.

The stunning new Fiat Fiorino light van is the star of the show on the Fiat Professional stand (no. 210, Hall 11), and is joined by two Doblo Cargos, three Scudos, four Ducatos and a Grande Punto van.

Fiat Professional, the commercial vehicle arm of Fiat Group Automobiles SpA, is also using the Commercial Vehicle Show to launch its new one-stop-shop conversion service. Using this facility, customers will be able to specify the type of vehicle they need – such as Luton van, dropside or tipper – and have it delivered completed, rather than buying the chassis first and having to wait while the conversion is carried out.

The new Fiorino, which was built in partnership between Fiat Professional and PSA Peugeot Citroën, is shown in Cargo Base and SX trim levels. Powered by either a 1.4-litre 73 bhp petrol or 1.3-litre 75 bhp MultiJet turbodiesel engine, the Fiorino offers strong performance, reliability, economy and environmental friendliness.

The 1.3 MultiJet may be coupled with either a five speed or MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) six-speed robotised gearbox, and returns a healthy 62 mpg in the combined cycle, a 119 g/km CO2 figure, low noise and vibration levels and a 97 mph top speed. The 1.4 petrol model comes with the five-speed manual transmission.

A range of safety equipment, including ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, three-point seat belts with pre-tensioner and load limiter and driver’s airbag all come as standard. A passenger airbag and rear parking sensor are also available.

The three Scudos on show this year include a 1.6-litre 90 bhp MultiJet van in Comfort trim, a 1.6-litre 90 bhp MultiJet Standard five-seat Combi and a Scudo Panorama Family, equipped with a 2.0-litre 140 bhp MultiJet diesel engine with DPF.

The Scudo range encompasses panel vans and platform cabs as a basis for conversion, and two commercial passenger vehicle variants, the 5/6 or 8/9 seat Combi and the 5 seat Panorama Family. The latter can also be requested with a third row seating option.

The Scudo LCV range is on sale in the UK with a choice of three sophisticated MultiJet common rail, direct injection, 16-valve turbodiesel powerplants – a 1.6-litre 90 bhp unit, and 120 bhp and 140 bhp POWER variants of a proven, 2.0-litre engine – guaranteeing strong performance, low running costs, outstanding reliability and a combined fuel consumption figure superior by over 10% to that of rivals.

To reduce NOx emissions, all three engines are fitted with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, with exhaust gas cooling controlled directly by the engine ECU. The exhaust gas post-treatment system completes gas oxidisation to ensure EURO 4 emission limits are met. DPF is standard equipment on 2.0-litre 140 bhp versions.

Panel van versions of the new Scudo are available in two trim levels – Comfort and Deluxe – whilst Combi, Panorama and platform cab variants each boast a single comprehensive standard equipment specification. The entry level specification includes power assisted steering, remote, selectable central locking, ABS anti-lock braking with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), a dual stage driver’s airbag, reach and rake adjustable steering, and a stereo radio/CD player with steering wheel mounted controls.

Joining the new Scudo on the stand will be four versions of the Fiat Ducato range. They include a 33 MWB Tipper, 33 MWB HR Combi and 35 LWB Crew Cab – all with a 2.3-litre 120 MultiJet diesel engine – and a 30 SWB Van fitted with a 2.2-litre 100 bhp MultiJet diesel engine.

The Fiat Ducato is available in one trim level, and boasts a comprehensive standard equipment specification which includes Servotronic variable power assisted steering, remote central locking with deadlocks, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), a dual stage driver’s airbag, electric windows, driver’s seat with armrest, lumbar support and load restraining belts, and an Autoradio ‘high’ stereo radio/CD/MP3 player.

This lavish equipment package is enhanced by a range of options carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board, and further improve the working practicality of the new Fiat LCV. These include manual and automatic climate control, supplementary heaters, ESP with Load Adaptive Control (LAC), front foglamps, cruise control, a rear view video camera, Fiat’s Blue&Me handsfree phone system, a heat reflective windscreen, a shock absorbing driver’s seat, swivelling driver and passenger seats for camper van conversions, alloy wheels, headlamp washers, a ceiling-mounted storage shelf, rain, dusk and parking sensors, and passenger, front side and window airbags.

Also in the Fiat line-up are two versions of the widely-acclaimed Doblo Cargo range, one with the optional high roof and powered by a 1.9 MultiJet Diesel, and the other by a 1.3 MultiJet Diesel. The Doblo Cargo range offers customers class-leading payload and load volume, and powerful yet economical MultiJet turbodiesel engines, as well as high levels of safety, comfort and ergonomics.

Completing the CV Show line-up is a Fiat Grande Punto van. Equipped with Fiat’s 75 bhp 1.3 16-valve MultiJet engine, the Active-spec van has a five-star Euro NCAP Safety rating, and comes with ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD and ESP, two front airbags, and seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.