Perfected for professionals the new Fiat Doblo Cargo

Has anyone ever recommended something to you, whether it is a movie, restaurant or holiday destination? 

I’m sure the answer is yes and no doubt when the time comes you would do the same, because when you like something and you are satisfied that it does tick the boxes, you want to share it don’t you. There always comes a time with clients that you are asked for recommendations and guidance on various subjects. Although we have what we call “Strategic Alliances” with many experts from all disciplines within the Fleet Industry that we use and recommend to benefit our clients, giving Fleet Management Solutions a full portfolio of services available to choose from. We do like to stay impartial when it comes to specific brands such as manufacturers etc as this makes us unique as an independent company as we have no allegiances to anyone. However, I was fortunate to attend the launch of a new LCV van, which will become available early March. Now the perception of me being an expert and knowing everything about vans and what one is better than the other is debatable. My strengths lie in the health and safety compliance and management of fleets for clients and if you read the article last month, you will know that this is an area that is more often neglected and even more so during this economical downturn.

There are certain areas that you need to look at when choosing a new vehicle especially a van, things like payload, economy, ergonomics, practicality and more. One of the areas that you may never have considered before was the safety aspect and what is available. Now there has been a great leap forward by all manufactures in this area in recent times with many features such as airbags and ABS being fitted to vehicles as standard. Now many of you will have at some point suffered by posture and comfort issues when travelling during your daily runs. Although I have driven many vans for various reasons over the years, I was never in the vehicles long enough and was glad of that aspect as I could see why many of our clients have issues with drivers and back problems. Therefore, I was surprised at the comfort and the attention to detail that the manufacturer had taken on the driver. The seat was very comfortable and easily adjusted and there was plenty room in the cab. Storage in the cab is great and very easy to access especially for all your delivery notes etc. There is also a lockable glove box, which is big enough to accommodate a 14-inch laptop. There are even two coat hooks on the bulkhead, which is great for hanging your Hi Visibility jacket. The interior has an attractive hard wearing and practical finish that wouldn’t look out of place in a family car. So the ergonomics were well thought out and the driver will have a great experience using the vehicle on a daily basis.

To cater for a wider range of commercial vehicle users than ever before, the Doblo Cargo will be available in six different body styles, short wheelbase with regular or high top bodies, a long wheelbase Maxi Cargo, the regular and Maxi five-seater Combi model, and the Maxi platform cab. To broaden its appeal there are two trim levels across the range base and SX. The high level of standard equipment includes power steering, height adjustable steering wheel, electric front windows, adjustable headlights, passenger seat undertray, side rubbing strips and central locking. Four engines are available, starting with a punchy 1.4-litre 95bhp petrol unit. However, with 95 per cent of sales expected to be diesel there are three all-new state-of-the-art and class-leading MultiJet engines in the range. These include a 1.3-litre 90bhp, 1.6-litre 105bhp and 2.0-litre 135bhp. All can be ordered with Start&Stop (standard on 2.0-litre versions), a first in this sector. Perhaps most importantly for the everyday user, Doblo Cargo’s innovative design means the load compartment is now roomy and square. All are 171cm wide inside and 130cm high while the high top is 155cm tall. Even the low threshold that makes loading simple is class topping. These dimensions mean two Euro pallets can be easily accommodated inside the Doblo Cargo. Payload too is segment leading at 750kg, with the option to boost it to 1000kg.

Now from my perspective I was interested in how the vehicle would stack up from a safety point of view. Yet again I was surprised that no stone had been left unturned in producing a vehicle that had the driver’s airbag and ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) as standard also with passenger and side airbags and ESP available as an option. The crumple zones are designed to shield the passengers from the worst-case scenario making the cab a safe place to be in. Whilst driving the vehicle the large windscreen made for excellent all round visibility. There are many options available that would make the driving experience better, parking sensors, air con, climate and cruise control. However by far the best introduction is the Blue&Me hands free system option, although this is a must for me. It can include TomTom and the whole system works as a control centre for mobile communications and navigation. The driver can access the voice activating system easily and safely via the steering wheel. This interface is fantastic and allows the driver to stay compliant with the law and the company compliant with the legislation.

Another thing, how many times have you tried to open the doors of the van fully laden or with gloves on and the grief that this can cause, well they have made them easier to open even the rear doors can be opened with one finger. The loading area has six hooks on the floor to allow for securing the load easily and they even have as an option a handy detachable torch to allow for extra lighting if required. The threshold of the rear compartment is one of the lowest in its class and will help with the manual handling issues normally associated when loading the vehicle. There is so much I could go on about regarding other areas such as the economy, value for money, but I won’t, as the main point I am trying to get across is the active and passive systems used to ensure that not only the driver and passenger are protected but the load too. In summary then if you are looking at changing your van in the near future have a look at the Fiat DOBLO, as I am sure that this will be a winner and tick all the boxes that you require. It is a vehicle that will lead where others will follow. When looking at it from a health & safety compliance view this vehicle ticks the boxes for me and it can for your business and employee too.

New Fiat Scudo

Combining a capacious load capacity with MPV practicality and car-like comfort, performance and handling, the new Fiat Scudo LCV has just gone on sale in the UK.Over the past 10 years, the European LCV market has grown considerably, rising from some 1,300,000 units in 1995 to over 2 million in 2005. In the UK in 2006, Fiat Auto posted a record 12,895 commercial vehicle sales, resulting in an increased market share which has risen from 3.85% in 2004 to 3.98% – a rising trend for the fifth consecutive year. Showing the best sales growth among its European competitors last year, Fiat’s European LCV sales share rose to over 11%.The new Fiat Scudo is heir to an extremely successful model, 350,000 of which have been sold since its launch in 1995. Sales in the Scudo LCV segment have doubled in the last 10 years, and between 2000 and 2006, there has been a 10% increase in Commercial Passenger Vehicle configuration volume. UK sales of Scudo in 2007 are expected to total some 4755 units, a 53% increase in volume over the previous year.

New Scudo will be available in 18 versions from launch, priced from £15,884 – £22,688 on-the-road. The 2007 Scudo range encompasses Panel Vans, Platform Cabs as a basis for conversion, and two Commercial Passenger Vehicle variants, the 5/6 or 8/9 seat Combi and the 5/6 seat Panorama Family. The latter can also be requested with a third row seating option. New Scudo features larger dimensions to the length, height and width of a load compartment now offering a maximum volume of 7 m3 and a payload of up to 1200 kg. The new Platform Cab range offers an increased, driver inclusive payload of up to 3000 kg.Significantly, in addition to a best-in-class load threshold height of just 490 mm, the overall height of Standard Roof versions equipped with Fiat’s innovative pneumatic suspension may be lowered to just 1.9 metres, giving Scudo access to underground and multi-storey car parks normally inaccessible to LCVs of this class.Moreover, 2007 Scudo has been awarded the highest Thatcham anti-theft rating in its class, both for theft of, and theft from, the vehicle. The new LCV features selective, remote central locking, enabling the driver to enter and leave the cab without affecting the security of the loadspace, and is also available with deadlocks.The new Scudo LCV range goes on sale in the UK with a choice of three sophisticated Fiat 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 superb 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 cooling of exhaust gases by recirculation controlled directly by the engine ECU. The exhaust gas post-treatment system completes gas oxidisation to ensure EURO 4 emission limits are met.All three powerplants are transverse mounted, providing front-wheel drive through a range of robust, durable, manual gearboxes. The 1.6 litre 90 bhp MultiJet unit is equipped with a sturdy, reliable 5-speed manual transmission, whilst both 2.0 litre 120 bhp and 140 bhp MultiJet engines are mated to 6-speed manual gearboxes.

Panel Van versions of the new Scudo are available in two trim levels at launch –Comfort and Deluxe, whilst Combi, Panorama and Platform Cab variants each boast one, comprehensive standard equipment specification. Even the entry level specification includes power assisted steering, remote, selectable central locking, ABS 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.This extensive 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 ESP with ASR, cruise control, rain, dusk and parking sensors, passenger, front side and window airbags and CONNECT – Fiat Auto’s unique communications system, which is the most advanced infotelematic package on the market.In addition, the working capabilities of the new Scudo range may be further enhanced through pneumatic or self-levelling suspension, a supplementary heater, glazed rear doors with heated screen and wiper, a fixed, full width steel bulkhead, a double front passenger seat, modular second and third row seating, and a unique, loadspace ceiling-mounted storage tunnel of between 2580 mm and 3200 mm in length for the secure transportation of lengthy pipework and timber sections.Fiat Auto has equipped the new Scudo with class-leading levels of both passive and active safety. The chassis and body have been designed to provide exceptional torsional stiffness yet absorb impact with maximum efficiency. Even though the 2007 Scudo is 283 mm longer and 51 mm wider than its predecessor, the new LCV’s torsional rigidity has been significantly increased, with deformation under stress measured at just 14 mm/degree – substantially less than the 23 mm/degree of the nearest rival. All seats are equipped with generous head restraints and three-point seatbelts, with pre-tensioners and load limiters at the front.The new Fiat LCV offers the full range of braking, traction control and stability systems available today: ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution, ASR to limit wheel slip during acceleration, MSR to modulate brake torque whilst changing down, and a sophisticated ESP to control stability through bends. Vehicles fitted with ESP also benefit from hydraulic brake assistance and a unique Hill Holder function to facilitate smooth hill starts.

In line with all other Fiat vehicles, new Scudo comes to the market with an 8-year anti-perforation and 3-year paintwork warranty. Additionally, all Scudos are covered by the Fiat Vanguard 3-year dealer warranty scheme which covers an extensive range of engine, gearbox, steering, differential and electrical components. Fiat AA Assurance is provided in the vehicle’s first year.Commensurate with an increase in market share, Fiat Commercial vehicles has also embarked on a programme of strengthening its network aftersales support. The network now has 11% of its dealerships open 24 hours a day for service and repair work, and a further 10% of the network has flexible and extended opening hours. There are currently 75 specialist Commercial Vehicle dealers in the UK.

Doblo Cargo

The Doblò Cargo is the ideal vehicle for those who use their means of transport mainly for work: service companies, express couriers and so on. Such customers are particularly demanding, and spend many hours of the day driving their vehicles in town traffic with frequent stops and starts to load and unload goods and fast intercity trips. They are the ideal customers of the Doblò Cargo, a vehicle that stands out in its category for its load capacity, high productivity and excellent payload. The model also ensures outstanding cab comfort, an excellent level of internal economics plus low fuel consumption and low running costs due above all to its Multijet engines. Finally yet importantly, the Doblò Cargo has ease of driving, road holding and safety (preventive, active and passive).
The Doblò Cargo offers a fresh design, distinctive features are apparent: large up-to-date headlamps (dual barrel) and a large central "V" motif that starts from the bonnet, runs down to the bumpers and wraps around the entire front end, the overall effect is that of a stylish car. Inside, the vehicle's style is also linear and elegant, always understated and functional, designed to emphasise still further the sensation of roominess that you feel as soon as you climb on board. The vehicles offer new colours, fabrics and designs for the seats, dashboard and door panels depending on the specification. The gear lever is located on the dashboard for a safer, more comfortable drive.
Those who are accustomed to covering more than 40 thousand miles per year on average value reliability, good fuel economy and low running costs and driving flexibility above all. To meet such diverse requirements, the Doblo offers four engines that have been developed with particular attention to fuel consumption, performance and comfort, not to mention environmental protection (they are all Euro 4). The range includes two turbo diesels: the lively 105 bhp 1.9 Multijet and the 75 bhp 1.3 16v Multijet, the smallest and most advanced of the second-generation Common Rail direct injection diesel engines. There is also a new 77 bhp 1.4 petrol engine with a new high swirl combustion chamber.
Load up the Doblo Cargo and you’ll quickly understand its exceptional strengths. Large or awkward loads are swallowed without difficulty and weight is never an issue. With a class- leading load space of 3.2 cubic meters (expanding to 3.8 cubic meters in the high-roof versions). The Doblo Cargo has a payload capacity of 730kg to 850 kg, via a loading deck height of just 535mm and an interior width between the wheel arches of 1200 mm. Load height is 1305mm, extending to an impressive 1550 mm in high roof models. As Fiat puts it “Lets go to work”.