15.04.2004 NEW 146 BHP DUCATO 2.8 JTD POWER AND THE REVISED DOBLO CARGO WILL LEAD FIAT'S LIGHT COMMERCIAL LINE UP AT THE 'TRANSPOTEC LOGITEC 2004' IN VERONA

The new Fiat Doblò Cargo range features updated styling and equipment, plus three new attractions that are bound to arouse a lot of interest.

The revolutionary 1.3 Multijet 16 valve engine, the best small turbodiesel the automotive industry can offer; a 1.9 JTD with increased maximum power and torque (105 bhp and 205 Nm) but fuel consumption slashed by 10% compared to the previous 100 bhp version - and lastly a special Combi 7-seater version that offers highly versatile interiors at a very attractive price.

The Fiat Doblò Cargo Model Year 2004 also offers 4 new body colours (Cedar Green and Mundo Blue non-metallic shades and Astral Blue and Opal Green metallic shades) and a two-tone facia (dark grey at the top, blue at the bottom) with a brand new instrument panel. The cloth used for the seats and front door panels has also been changed. New wheel trims are also available on Combi versions.

Despite its new appearance and equipment, the Doblò remains the non-conformist member of the Fiat range. The Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 lives up to its advertising slogan ('If you can think it, you can do it') by offering an original interpretation of some of the values that are now an integral part of Fiat's heritage: a distinctively Italian vehicle that simplifies everyday working life because it is practical, roomy, versatile and equipped with up-to-date power units.

Hence the model comes with engines that are lively performers but decidedly thrifty when it comes to fuel consumption (the results are among the best in category 1B) and represent an effective solution in and out of town. Foremost among these is the revolutionary 1.3 16v Multijet that delivers a power output of 70 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 18.4 kgm at 1750 rpm. The power unit is the smallest and most advanced second generation Common Rail direct injection diesel engine.

The compact, technologically sophisticated new engine propels the Fiat Doblò MY 2004 along at a spanking top speed of 145 km/h and returns very frugal fuel consumption figures: 6.7 l/100 km over an urban cycle, 4.9 l/100 km for an extra-urban cycle and 5.5 l/100 km over combined routes.

Apart from this engineering gem, the new Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 range offers a 1.9 JTD unit boosted to 105 bhp at 4000 rpm with a peak torque of 205 Nm at 1750 rpm. Altogether a smooth, flexible engine that is comfortable and able to ensure low fuel consumption and performance comparable to that of petrol engines: top speed is 168 km/h while fuel consumption is 7.5 l/100 km over an urban cycle, 4.8 l/100 km over an extra-urban cycle and 5.8 l/100 km over combined routes.

Lastly, the new range retains the tried and tested 65 bhp 1.2, the feisty 103 bhp 1.6 16v, the 63 bhp 1.9 aspirated diesel and the 1.6 Natural Power dual fuel (petrol and methane) version.

Engineering and innovation are therefore two of the strong points of the Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004. Versatility is definitely another. The spirit of this model and its approach to style and design made it possible to pack an absolutely unprecedented amount of interior space into a length of just 4.16 metres.

The no-nonsense concept underlying the Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 makes it usable in a huge range of situations for the most disparate needs: the ideal workmate for carrying goods or the perfect leisure vehicle, for example. The best demonstration of versatility comes from the new Combi version that can accommodate up to 7 people on three rows.

The Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 is innovative and versatile yet it is also the soul of practicality in the way it packs the roominess of an MPV, the handling of a mini and the sturdiness of an off-roader into one vehicle.

Another virtue of the new model is its roominess. On this score, the Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 comes out top of its segment. A raised driving position also offers greater comfort and safety: easy cab access and outstanding visibility for mastery of the road.

Altogether, the Doblò Cargo MY 2004 offers a host of attractive new features that it will deploy to build on the success achieved by the model to date. Suffice it to say that about 21,000 units were sold during 2003 and the market share was 43%. These figures allowed Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles to claim out-and-out leadership of segment 1B (multipurpose vehicles) on the Italian market. This success was also confirmed in the major European markets: more than 42,000 vehicles sold (including Italy).

The new Doblò Cargo MY 2004 is the heir to a winning model and the ideal solution for people who use their vehicle mainly for work: small businesses, tradespeople, maintenance agents, shopkeepers, representatives, service companies, express couriers etc. Such customers are particularly demanding and spend many hours of the day in their vehicles: in town traffic with frequent stops and starts to load and unload goods - but also on fast out of town trips. The things they want from the Doblò Cargo include space, easy loading and driving and running economy.

The new model has the right answer to all these need as shown by:
- generous sliding side doors which extend for an impressive 685 millimetres in width for optimum accessibility;
- the gearlever on the facia: a solution that offers a more immediate and safer drive;
- high top versions that offer an impressive 3.8 m3 of effective volume. This latter record is made even more striking by the exceptional interior height and the rear door frame: more than one and a half metres so that any type of goods can easily be loaded, however bulky;
- a high-performing 105 bhp 1.9 JTD turbodiesel power unit;
- the availability of 1.6 Natural Power versions (dual fuel petrol and methane) with cylinders located on the outside under the floorpan, a solution that does not detract from the load space.

A host of strong points for a vehicle that also offers outstanding quality of life on board in terms of acoustic, vibrational and climatic comfort. Just for starters, oceans of glass help make the interior into a large and airy space to convey a gratifying sensation of comfort.

The Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 is also a byword for safety: preventive, active and passive. Category-beating driving ease and roadholding ensure full control under all road conditions. When it comes to passive safety, the new model offers two front airbags and two sidebags.

Practicality, comfort and safety, in other words. These attributes of the Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 are evident at a glance. Its style is rational, uncluttered and spare yet it exudes an image of protective solidity while making the passenger compartment look roomy yet welcoming. The design is about function but also form: the vehicle's unusual, characterful shape conveys the idea of a new motoring experience on all levels, including the aesthetic. To meet all these needs and allow everyone to express their personality to the full, the Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 offers an incredible number of variants: 20 body configurations divided over two specification levels (base and SX); 5 engines (65 bhp 1.2, 103 bhp 1.6, 63 bhp 1.9 D, 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet and 105 bhp 1.9 JTD), joined by the 1.6 Natural Power; 11 exterior colours (6 non-metallic and 5 metallic) and a wide selection of options and accessories.

This array of alternatives is complemented by versions converted by external body conversion specialists. The new model can easily accommodate various types of conversion. For example, vehicles can be made with the load compartment lined and equipped with racks and drawers, mobile workshops and insulated versions for the transport of perishable goods.

Anyone who uses a Fiat Doblò Cargo MY 2004 as a workhorse will be accustomed to driving more than 30,000 kilometres a year on average. Such customers are looking for reliability, low fuel consumption and running costs, and driving flexibility supplied by power units that offer great torque, available from low speeds, that allows an immediate and gratifying drive even in town traffic while fully respecting the environment.

All the advantages of the revolutionary 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet 16v

The 70 bhp 1.3 Multijet 16v is the smallest and most advanced second generation Common Rail direct injection diesel power unit.

Unlike power units with Common Rail Unijet technology, second generation Common Rail engines are capable of several injections (3 to 5). Both systems are based on the same engineering principles. Even in the Unijet version, the pilot injection raises temperature and pressure inside the cylinder to improve combustion at the time of the main stroke.

On a Multijet engine, the main injection may be subdivided into many smaller injections: for the same amount of diesel burnt inside the cylinder, the combustion is even more gradual and full for more effective control of combustion noise and reduced emissions.

From an architectural viewpoint, Multijet Common Rail engines differ from Unijet Common Rail units in two essential parts: their injectors and their electronic control unit.

Injectors able to reduce the time between one injection and the next have been developed. To reduce the minimum quantity injected, our engineers developed smarter control units that are able to continually change the injection pattern according to changes in three parameters: engine rpm, torque required at any given moment by the driver and coolant temperature.

Adoption of a Multijet injection system therefore guarantees particularly smooth engine operation in all situations. Acoustic and vibrational comfort has been increased by optimising the intake and exhaust systems and the installation clearance between crankshaft and crankcase by computerised main bearing selection.

High performing, noiseless and also clean. The 1.3 Multijet uses an exhaust gas post-treatment system that is based on a close-coupled catalytic converter (converter in the engine compartment) that reduces harmful emissions even during the initial engine warm-up stage. As on other Fiat Group models, the catalytic converter is positioned immediately on the turbine outlet. This is better than locating it beneath the floorpan because it allows the catalytic converter to reach higher temperatures within a shorter time and improves catalytic converter performance. Adoption of an electrically-operated EGR valve controlled directly by the engine control system, the use of a recirculated exhaust gas cooling system and a close-coupled catalytic converter ensure very low emission levels.

As far as maintenance is concerned, the oil only needs to be changed every 30,000 km instead of every 10,000 km (as on aspirated prechamber engines such as the 1.9 D), with the benefit that less oil needs to be disposed of. The oil is naturally low viscosity (i.e. designed for fuel economy) and environmentally friendly. When you change it, you throw away only the paper cartridge and not the whole filter (oil green filter).

As far as customers are concerned, the fact that all the engineering is packed into the small 1.3 Multijet 16v means a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. More specifically, when we compare the 1.3 Multijet and the 1.9 aspirated diesel engine over a 30,000 km mission, we find that the small turbodiesel brings an overall saving of some 660 euros due to lower fuel consumption and longer engine oil change intervals. In little more than a year, you will have more than paid for the price difference between the two power units at the time of purchase.

The new Combi 7-seater version

The Combi 7-seater is a new Doblò version for people transport, designed for users who seek maximum functionality and practicality plus great value for money. On the one hand, this version emphasises the model's intrinsic versatility and ability to adapt to innumerable applications. On the other hand, it satisfies customers who have specific needs connected with their work and are also keen to ensure they obtain value for money, i.e. a lot of performance for the purchase price.

The Doblò Combi 7-seater is compact and extremely accessible in terms of cost. It will undoubtedly play a leading role in the multipurpose/trade people transport sector.

This version is aimed at those who need a true workhorse complete with all the trappings of practicality and safety but are not interested in car accessories. For example, customers who use their vehicle for a mixture of work-related activities (goods, equipment and people-carrying) as in the case of public transport for communities and associations or work team transport on building sites. The Doblò Combi 7-seater can carry up to 6 passengers plus a driver and also offers a load compartment of up to 3000 dm3 (3 m3) by altering the position of the modular seats in the second and third rows as required.

It is able to accommodate 7 people within a length of just 4.16 metres: two in the front row, three in the middle row and two in the back row. In particular, the three seats in the central row are single (the two side seats are fitted with fold-down backrests and can be packed away to allow easy access to the third row). The back row takes the form of a two-seater bench that can also be packed up and removed. The vehicle is highly modular: some 750 dm3 of luggage compartment with the third row removed, some 3000 dm3 when the second row is packed away as well. All the seats are fitted with 3-point seat-belts.

The Doblò Combi 7-seater may be equipped with 1.3 16v Multijet, 1.9 JTD and 1.6 16v engines and is fitted as standard with ABS, driver's airbag and two sliding side doors.