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

Fiat Auto has always been ahead of the field in terms of respect for the environment and methane engines are one of its key interests. This is evidenced by the fact that Fiat has developed a full range of products to meet the needs of businesses and private individuals.

It is no coincidence, therefore, that visitors to the Verona show can admire models from the Natural Power range (Ducato, Doblò Cargo MY 2004 and Punto). These are the best demonstration of a diverse product range that covers the needs of an extensive category of users: from shopkeepers to tradespeople, small/medium-sized enterprises to the public sector.

One feature shared by all three models is the way the two petrol and methane (CNG natural gas) fuel systems are combined.

The vehicles are configured to run normally on natural gas, though the engine always starts up on petrol before transferring immediately and automatically to methane fuel. This keeps the petrol fuel system efficient and its intervention is required only at start-up and when the methane is running out (gas pressure in the cylinders near the limit). Customers can always switch to the petrol fuel system by pressing a dedicated button.

The methane fuel system is a Phased Sequential Multipoint system that allows the sophisticated electronic control methods of the petrol engine to be adapted to the properties of methane. This achieves significant results in terms of handling, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption.

Doblò Cargo Natural Power MY 2004

When configured for methane, the 1.6 Torque 16 valve engine develops 92 bhp and 130 Nm of torque while it supplies 103 bhp and 145 Nm when it runs on petrol.

The Doblò Cargo has a CNG tank consisting of three cylinders containing methane in a gaseous state (rated pressure of 200 bars at 15°C). Their capacity is 111 litres (equivalent to 18 kg or 26.4 m3) that guarantee a range of 300 kilometres plus an additional range of 350 km when running on petrol (30 litres tank). This means that load compartment volume is unaffected.

The Doblò Cargo Natural Power assures low fuel consumption (9 m3/100 km equal to 6.3 kg/100 km over a combined cycle) and minimal emissions in absolute safety so that customers can drive through all urban areas subject to traffic restrictions. During 2003, more than 1,000 Doblò Cargo versions were sold in Europe, half of these in Germany alone, which accounted for 15% of total model sales.

New Punto Van Natural Power

The New Fiat Punto Van Natural Power is the first vehicle in its category to offer a petrol/methane dual fuel system.

It is fitted with a 1.2 8v engine that develops 52 bhp at 5000 rpm with a methane fuel system and torque of 88 Nm at 3000 rpm (60 bhp and 102 Nm with petrol operation).

The New Punto Van Natural Power also offers good fuel economy and, above all, minimum emissions in absolute safety. This last aspect means the customer can drive around town centres with traffic restrictions (due to excessive pollution) and also park the car in garages.

When running on methane, the model consumes 5.5 kg/100 km (over an urban cycle), 3.7 kg/100 km (extra-urban) and 4.3 kg/100 km (combined); when running on petrol (the tank contains 47 litres), the results are 8.4 l/100 km, 5.6 l/100 km and 6.6 l/100 km respectively. The two methane cylinders, located in the luggage compartment, have an overall capacity of 65 litres. They can hold 11 kg methane and assure a range of 260 kilometres (combined cycle).

The performance figures are also very respectable. The New Fiat Punto Natural Power can reach 151 km/h at top speed when running on petrol (145 km/h with methane) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 19 seconds (methane) and 17 seconds (petrol).

The Punto Van Natural Power comes in a 3 door version and offers a long list of standard equipment: including two front airbags, Dualdrive electric power steering and ABS.

Fiat Ducato Natural Power

The great volume of the Ducato combined with the fuel economy of methane. Natural Power versions of the Fiat Ducato are fitted with a 2.0 petrol MPI that develops a maximum power of 110 bhp (81 kW) at 5700 rpm and a torque of 168 Nm at 3700 with petrol fuel system and 97 bhp (71 kW) and 146 Nm with a methane system. The three methane tanks are arranged beneath the vehicle floorpan to allow more efficient use of internal space and the adoption of alternative power units on people-carrying versions. Total cylinder capacity is 160 litres: a full tank of methane therefore allows a range of 270 km that is added to the 600 km assured by the roomy petrol tank (80 litres).