Fiat Auto (UK) will have a comprehensive display of commercial vehicles during this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham’s NEC (stand No.351, Hall 4, 25-27 April). Four versions of Fiat Auto’s award-winning Ducato range, including one conversion, together with two versions of the International Van of the Year 2006, Doblò Cargo, will be on the stand. Two versions of the Scudo Van and a 1.3 16v MultiJet Punto Van complete the line-up.

The undoubted star of the Fiat Commercial Vehicles stand, and making its UK show debut, is International Van of the Year 2006, the new Fiat Doblò Cargo. Two versions will be on display, both equipped with the company’s award-winning 1.3 MultiJet 16-valve turbodiesel engine. One will be in Royal Mail livery, as Fiat Commercial Vehicles has recently been appointed as one of the official suppliers to the Royal Mail, which was impressed by the new Doblò Cargo. An initial supply of 350 vehicles has already been agreed, with the prospect for further vehicles in the future.

The new Fiat Doblò Cargo was named International Van of the Year 2006 by an international jury of specialist LCV journalists from 19 European countries. It was awarded the trophy in recognition of its revised styling, increases in class-leading payload and load volume, powerful yet economical new MultiJet turbodiesel engines, and high levels of safety, comfort and ergonomics allied to low fuel consumption and operating costs – all at a highly competitive price.

Four versions of Fiat Auto’s award-winning Ducato range will be on the Fiat stand. They include a Ducato 11 SWB 2.0 JTD Dynamic van, a Ducato 15 MWB 2.3 JTD 16v Cab with factory fitted dropside, a Ducato Maxi LWB Gran Volume equipped with a 2.8 JTD engine, and a Ducato Maxi LWB Minibus 2.3 JTD 16v converted by Advanced Vehicle Builders.

The Ducato 2.0 11 SWB 2.0 JTD Dynamic Special Series is based on the Ducato 2.0 JTD SWB van version, but offers the following additional specification: remote central door locking, ABS, front fog lamps, steel bulkhead, dual passenger seat, radio/CD player, driver’s airbag and special wheeltrims. This special series comes with £1,730 worth of additional specification for exactly the same price as a standard 2.0 JTD SWB van, representing exceptional value for money.

Two versions of the Scudo Van will be on the stand. The Fiat Scudo 2.0 JTD SX Dynamic is based on the existing 2.0 JTD SX van but boasts the following additional specification: remote central door locking, ABS, electric front windows, front fog lamps, body coloured front bumper and driver’s airbag. This special series comes with £1,445 worth of additional specification, but its price remains unchanged at £12,675 plus VAT, the same as the 2.0 JTD SX version.
 

Scudo’s winning features include the ability to carry a payload of up to 900 kg and up to 4 cubic metres of effective volume; generously sized sliding side doors and two rear side-hinged doors; ample width between the wheel arches, and reduced ground clearance for easier goods loading and unloading operations. The roomy, well-lit cabin is thoroughly sound-proofed to offer passenger room and driving comfort levels comparable to those of an up-to-date car. Air conditioning is available as an option. A Scudo 2.0 JTD 16v SX Combi is also on the stand. A factory-built adaptation of the panel van, the Scudo Combi can seat either five or six people and carry a load at the rear of up to 560 kg. A dual passenger seat at the front and a fold down 3-seat bench, all with seatbelts and head restraints, are fitted in the standard 6-seat version. The 5-seater has a single adjustable seat alongside the driver, and is available to special order.