Fiat has just won two UK awards at the 2005 Fleet World Honours, with the Ulysse MPV winning Best Large MPV, and Fiat Auto’s widely acclaimed 1.3 litre 16-valve MultiJet turbodiesel engine being awarded Best Engine in the Commercial Fleet World Honours.

The awards were judged by a panel of experts representing the leasing industry, fleet managers, motoring journalists, residual value guides and both the Fleet World and Commercial Fleet World editorial teams. The judges took a wide range of factors into account, including residual values, maintenance costs, reliability, driver appeal and manufacturer back-up.

Fleet World editor, Ross Durkin, comments: "Fiat’s Ulysse sits comfortably on any choice list. Its impressive safety features and high levels of both versatility and practicality will be important considerations for those with a family, and they are likely to make up the majority of buyers of a vehicle in this class. Strong demand from the used car market also makes the Fiat Ulysse a popular vehicle with contract hire and leasing companies – an important factor in our decision."
 

Fleet industry consultant George Emmerson, adds: "There is still plenty of interest in larger MPVs and Fiat’s Ulysse is the best on offer. The car has some very clever features and will undoubtedly be close to the top of the list for any driver choosing an MPV. It combines practicality with versatility and the exterior is every bit as stylish as a user-chooser could ask for."

Commercial Fleet World editor John Kendall says: "Joint power train development from Fiat and GM saw the 1.3-litre common rail MultiJet engine appear in the Fiat Punto car range over a year ago, before becoming available in other models. Now the engine has made its light CV debut in the Fiat Punto JTD van and Doblò Cargo. It’s one of the smallest diesels available in a van. It’s also quiet and delivers surprisingly brisk performance, hand-in-hand with excellent fuel consumption. It has set a new standard for small diesels."