Because Fiat boasts one of the most comprehensive ranges on the market, the company is a full liner in the light commercial vehicle sector. Suffice it to say that it is the only company to offer truly exclusive factory-fitted features such as four wheel drive on the Fiat Ducato. Not to mention the fact that the vehicles on show in Amsterdam represent only part of the innumerable conversion and customisation options available on vehicles in the Fiat Light Commercial Vehicle range. The array includes mobile workshops, vehicles with boxes, insulated vehicles and vehicles with a cooling chamber. The conversion sector is continually expanding: suffice it to say that in segment 2, where Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles is present with the Ducato and Scudo, one vehicle in three now undergoes conversion.

Ducato 2.8 JTD POWER 146 bhp

Visitors to the Amsterdam show can view some standard Ducato versions and others converted by body builders: these effectively illustrate the great flexibility of a model that is able to meet the needs of customers who are not content with a general-purpose vehicle but want a means of transport designed for their personal needs that will enable them to increase their working productivity and make light work of their business needs: the star of the show is a version equipped with the new 2.8 JTD POWER with variable geometry turbine. The power unit develops 146 bhp of power and a torque of 310 Nm (as opposed to 127 bhp and 300 Nm for the 2.8 JTD with fixed geometry turbo) for improved performance and handling. Power and maximum torque are achieved at low speed: 3600 rpm for the former and 1500 rpm for the latter. The torque curve remains flat at its peak from 1500 to more than 3000 rpm. All these features ensure very smooth driving behaviour and driving flexibility in all situations, even around town.

Vehicles fitted with the new engine are particularly well suited to customers who cover long distances, particularly on motorways. The sturdy, reliable 2.8 JTD POWER assures outstanding performance under all service conditions, even with heavy loads. Suffice it to say that the vehicle takes just 17.5 seconds to speed from 0 to 100 km/h while the top speed is 159 km/h. The new power unit therefore combines great driving satisfaction with such outstanding pick-up and acceleration that it could be considered the ideal solution for top class camper vans/motor homes, vans, cargo boxes and high volume refrigerated vehicles. The powerful, flexible 2.8 JTD POWER offers all the benefits typical of this turbodiesel family: low noise levels, high performance, respect for the environment and low running costs (e.g. the engine oil change interval is 30,000 km).

Driving satisfaction, reliability, sturdiness, environmental compatibility and comfort. These are the results achieved by combining a heavy duty engine such as the 2.8 JTD POWER and a vehicle such as the Fiat Ducato that could be described as the commercial vehicle par excellence. Nowadays the Fiat Ducato also stands as a benchmark within its category for quality of life on board. Its great versatility (more than 600 versions and 140 options) and great load capacity (its payload ranges from 1000 to some 1800 kg and volume from 7.5 to 14 cubic metres) have brought it great success in recent years: more than 1,700,000 units sold since 1981.

The Fiat Ducato is also a paragon of performance, reliability and running economy. The credit goes to a range of seven engines that includes: one 2.0 petrol; three Common Rail turbodiesels: one 84 bhp 2.0 JTD, a 110 bhp Sofim 2.3 JTD 16v, a 127 bhp 2.8 JTD (the latter also with automatic transmission) and a 146 bhp 2.8 JTD POWER - and lastly two minimum environmental impact power units featuring a dual fuel petrol/methane system (Natural Power) and a petrol-LPG system (Gpower).

Scudo

The Scudo was made to fulfil cutting-edge European urban and intercity goods transport requirements in the light commercial vehicle segment, i.e. vehicles with 4 to 5 m3 of interior volume and 800 to 900 kg of payload. The practical, lively and safe New Scudo is the result of an advanced design that assures impeccable dynamic behaviour under all service conditions. The range was revised last year to make it more stylish, more comfortable and more safe. This has been achieved by tweaking the interior and exterior style, particularly at the front where the shape is now more up-to-date and well-proportioned. The Scudo is a veritable benchmark in its category in terms of ergonomics and acoustic comfort. The Scudo also offers greater safety with an upgraded braking system, sidebags and 3-point seat belts on all seats.

The Scudo confirms its ability to reconcile performance, handling and car-standard comfort with loading capacity and ease - not to mention the dependability and profitability typical of a commercial vehicle. Its winning features include: ability to carry a payload of up to 930 kilograms and up to 5 cubic metres of effective volume; generously sized sliding side doors and two rear side-hinged doors; ample width between the wheelarches and reduced ground clearance for easier goods loading and unloading operations. The roomy, well-lit cabin is thoroughly sound-proofed and climate controlled to offer passenger room and driving comfort levels comparable to those of an up-to-date saloon. In fact, a recent advertising campaign used the following slogan: Fiat Scudo. Easily mistaken for a car".

The range is broad and diverse, as demonstrated by the seven available body versions: Glazed and Panel Van with short or long wheelbase. Chassis cab with short or long wheelbase and Combi for the transport of people and goods.
Customers can choose from among five engines:

Strada Pick Up customers have specific practical needs (transport of loads in all shapes, sizes and heights) and are aware of comfort and style as well as operating costs. They are also looking for an eclectic, multipurpose vehicle that meets their needs at work and at play. The model whose styling and range (introduction of versions with lengthened cab and 80 bhp 1.9 JTD engine) were renewed in 2003 meets these needs by combining all the benefits of a car (agility, driving ease, comfort, attractive style and power) with the sturdiness of a light commercial vehicle with a payload of more than 700 kg (including the driver). Yet this vehicle is also satisfying to drive and ideal for leisure time. Its style is that of a sturdy, practical vehicle offering good performance. The exterior line reveals a strong, dynamic personality.

Inside, the Strada offers plenty of space for people and outstanding comfort in a noiseless environment designed with great attention to detail, as evidenced by a facia that curves to mirror the exterior design of the vehicle. Similarly, the comfortable, user-friendly seats ensure occupants good lateral containment and lumbar support, meaning less tiredness on long trips. They are equipped with height-adjustable anatomical head-restraints made out of fire-retardant material. The seats are also ergonomic for occupants of any size due to their long reach and adjustable backrest. Designed to car standards, the Strada boasts oceans of glass for outstanding passenger compartment visibility and lighting and assures a completely safe drive.

One great strength of this car is naturally its generous rear box that measures 1770 mm in length (1472 in versions with long cabins) and 1314 mm in width (1090 mm between wheelarches) while offering a capacity of 1100 litres in the standard version and 800 litres in the version with long cabin. The capacious compartment can be used to the full due to its regular shape and comes with a black plastic lining that is ice-resistant yet able to withstand the highest temperatures.

The box borders and base are fitted with sturdy hooks to secure transported items in the utmost safety. These are arranged to ensure they do not get in the way of loading and unloading operations. The sides, also fitted with hooks, are protected by a tough polypropylene coating that safeguards the vehicle from scratches and dents. Load compartment access is made easier by reduced box ground clearance (605 mm) and also the presence of a flap that opens to 90°, comes with a non-slip surface and can support a weight of 300 kg.  The Strada may be fitted as an option with a sturdy marine hood to protect the load compartment. This extends to the side and performs a functional and aesthetic role. The Strada therefore features strong, distinctive styling. Plus a generous, regular load surface designed to ensure that the vehicle can perform its working mission to the best of its abilities. The model can also be equipped with an 80 bhp (59 kW at 4000 rpm) 1.9 JTD that develops a torque of 196 Nm available at just 1500 rpm that propels the vehicle to a top speed of 163 km/h.

This vehicle offers outstanding road holding and ease of driving and is the only member of its category to come with front wheel drive. The new model owes the greater part of its performance to its suspension geometry, which has been designed to withstand high loads and also cosset its occupants even on difficult roads. The front suspension features an independent MacPherson strut layout with forged steel lower wishbones and antiroll bar. The rear suspension is live axle with longitudinal single-section parabolic leaf springs. In other words, a configuration that effectively dampens vibrations from the road surface and also assures maximum driving stability even when the load is not uniformly distributed. The rear axle is also omega-shaped, with the central portion raised, enabling it to tackle any type of terrain in complete safety. An effective engine and gearbox guard is also available as an option to protect underbody components from accidental bumping.

The braking system, with 9" servo, is a double crossover circuit with electronic brakeforce distributor (EBD in conjunction with 4-channel ABS, available as an option). The front brakes are disc type, ventilated, with diameter of 257 mm. The rear drum brakes come with self-centring shoes and automatic play take-up. Their diameter is 228 mm.

New Doblò Cargo and Ducato: the methane alternative

Fiat Auto has always been ahead of the field in terms of respect for the environment. This is borne out by the fact that Fiat has developed a full range of vehicles with methane engines to meet the needs of businesses and private individuals. Visitors to the Amsterdam show can admire models from the Natural Power range (Ducato and the New Doblò Cargo): 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 both 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 special button. The methane fuel system is a Phased Sequential Multipoint system that allows the sophisticated electronic control methods of petrol engines to be adapted to the properties of methane. This achieves significant results in terms of handling, exhaust emissions and fuel consumption.

More specifically, the Doblò Cargo Natural Power MY 2004 is equipped with a 1.6 Torque 16 valve (Euro 4) engine that develops 92 bhp and 130 Nm of torque in methane mode but delivers 103 bhp and 145 Nm when it runs on petrol. The New Doblò Cargo Natural Power has a CNG tank consisting of three cylinders containing methane in a gaseous state (rated pressure of 200 bars at 15°C), located under the floor to allow full use to be made of the load compartment. Their capacity is 111 litres (equivalent to 18 kg or 26.4 m3) and guarantees a range of 300 kilometres plus an additional range of 350 km when running on petrol (30 litres tank).

The New Doblò Cargo Natural Power assures low fuel consumption (9 m3/100km equal to 6.3 kg/100km over a combined cycle) and minimal emissions in absolute safety so that customers can drive through all urban areas subject to traffic restrictions.

Natural Power versions of the Ducato, on the other hand, 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 floor pan to leave the interior space unchanged and allow the adoption of alternative power units on people-carrying versions as well. Total cylinder capacity is 160 litres: a full tank of methane therefore allows a range of 270 km, over and above the 600 km guaranteed by the capacious petrol tank (80 litres).