Fiat have presented an official preview of their yet to be launched facelifted Fiat Doblò, in an investor presentation report which was published last week. Entitled "Back on the Road," the report coincided with this year's Frankfurt IAA motor show.

The revamped Doblò is due to be unveiling later this year, most likely in October, and will be joined by the new Fiat Idea van, the pair spearheading a host of new models and facelifts which will refresh the Fiat Commercial Vehicle range during 2006.  These include two completely new models, the Fiat Scudo and Ducato, and three variants based on existing models including the new Grande Punto Van, the Fiat Strada facelift, and an updated Fiat Multipla van.

Since the Doblò's launch in 2000, the light market van sector has seen many 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 to remain competitive in this highly contested market segment. Sensible and crisp changes include a new exterior design focusing on the front and rear of the vehicle. New clear lens headlamps, bumpers and bonnet provide the Doblò a cleaner, more car-like look. 

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.

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.  A clean natural gas version of the Fiat Doblò is also expected to be offered, an option that is now available on the current Fiat Doblò and Multipla models. Due to the technical modifications, the Doblò facelift  has been tested in various conditions, ranging from the high-speed Fiat test track at Balocco, to the cold climate conditions of Arjeplog in Lapland.

By Paddy Granger