Fiat have long been identified as key market players in the panel and light van category, and as a result this sector is taken extremely seriously by the marque.

Not only are Fiat planning to unveil a revamped Doblò model in October, but they are less than a year away from launching a totally new Ducato panel van engineered in collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën. The new Ducato is scheduled for March 2006, and will eventually be offered alongside a new Scudo replacement which is also being developed by Fiat and PSA. Another newcomer in Fiat’s light van range will be the van edition of the all new Punto, the standard family version of which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt IAA in September.

The original Doblò was unveiled for the first time at the Paris Motorshow in 2000 as a 2001 model, and is based on the mechanicals of the Fiat Palio ‘world car’ (Progetto 178, itself a development of the Uno). Whereas the Palio and is derivates are constructed in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Poland, Morocco, Turkey, India, South Africa, Eygpt and China, the Doblò is only constructed in Turkey and Brazil. In Brazil the Doblò accounts for 75% of sales within its market segment.

The Doblò is offered not only as a light commercial van, but also as a family MPV. The MPV version features a spacious five-seater interior (the Family version has 7 seats) with twin sliding rear doors, plus a large hatchback or asymmetric opening doors depending on the version. The rear seats are split allowing for a luggage space of up to 3000 litres, whilst storage compartments are found around the cabin including an innovative shelf above the windscreen. The space offered by these MPV’s has proven highly attractive by families, and as a result light vans are becoming increasingly car-like in their styling. As with the original Renault Kangoo (1999), the Doblò tried to be different as a van, yet its unusual semi-retro styling was not to everyone’s taste.

The Doblò is the last Fiat to use a conventional steel platform, rather than the more advanced spaceframe chassis first implemented on the Multipla and carried forth with the Stilo. The simplistic engineering and cheap labour costs result in a good value for money product.
 

Since the Doblò was launched in 2000, the light market van sector has seen many and varied newcomers. Direct competitors now include the facelifted PSA Citroën Berlingo and Peugeot Partner, facelifted Renault Kango, new GM Opel/Vauxhall Combi, Ford Courier and the new Volkswagen Caddy.

The facelifted Doblò is therefore an important move for Fiat if it wants to remain competitive in this highly contended market. Changes will include a new exterior design focusing on the front and rear of the vehicle. New clear lens headlamps, bumpers and bonnet will aim to give the Doblò a cleaner, more car-like look. The new look will be prettier and less daring than the original in an attempt to lure potential buyers closer, which will be beneficial seeing that the Doblò is particularly well equipped compared to its main competitors.

The new exterior design will also aim to give the car a higher EuroNCAP crash test rating for pedestrian safety. The new look will bring the Doblò up-to-date with Fiat’s form language in their New Croma and next generation Punto.

Inside, the dashboard could see a styling revamp and a redesign to offer more protection for the driver’s knees and upper legs.

A new engine lineup will include the Multijet version of the 1.9 JTD with 120 bhp, whereas the entry level petrol version will use the 70 bhp 1.4 16V unit sourced from the Punto and Idea. Diesel Particulate Filters will also be fitted, and the suspension could also see a revamp.

The new Doblò will play an important role in the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, with the model being the official support vehicle for the Jamaican bobsleigh team.

By James Granger