23.10.2004 At the Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo this week, Fiat are presenting the Ducato Executivo, a special version designed to carry up to nine people and their luggage in comfort and style

At the Salão do Automóvel de São Paulo this week, Fiat are presenting the Ducato Executive, a special version designed to carry up to nine people, and their luggage, in comfort and style.

This new vehicle has been prepared by Brazilian company, Revescap, in partnership with Fiat Automóveis, the South American arm of the Italian carmaker.

Fiat Automóveis are seeking to create a Ducato for every type of requirement and customer, so the new 'Executivo' version is the latest offering of this theme. This model will present itself as a luxury transport for executives or a comfortable environment for the ever increasing stream of tourists visiting this largest of South America's nations.

Based on the Ducato Multi, with its high roof and 103bhp 2.9-litre turbodiesel engine, the Executivo comes complete with nine leather-trimmed, luxurious seats, as well as plush carpets throughout.

The Executivo has been designed to be easily adaptable internally, with the seats removable to allow for an increase in luggage space. This is achieved by airline-style fitments, that allow the steeply-reclining seats to be slid out of the vehicle on tracks. The 'aero'-effect is completed by the incorporation of fold-away armrests.

Comfort, convenience and entertainment, are the interior themes. A fridge is located between the two front seats, a highly useful addition, bearing in mind Brazil's high temperatures and humidity, while cup holders are conveniently placed throughout.

A seven disc CD player is mounted in the ceiling, while DVD's can be watched via a screen, also mounted on the roof panel.

The airline theme is continued by the inclusion of reading lights for each individual seat, air conditioning is standard, while darkened glass windows protect the privacy of occupants.

Bumpers, finishing panels, wheel centres and door handles, are all colour-coded, while a new wheel design has been adopted.

by Iinuma Wesley in Brazil ( additional material: Warley Zamboni, Autocar Brazil )