Fiat Professional's two world previews make their debut at the Hanover Show: Ducato (top) and Fiorino Natural Power (above). Two practical solutions and in perfect harmony with the approach adopted by Fiat Group Automobiles to environment related themes.

Fiat Professional's two world previews make their debut at the Hanover Show: Ducato and Fiorino Natural Power. Two practical solutions and in perfect harmony with the approach adopted by Fiat Group Automobiles to environment related themes.

In fact, the Group believes that natural gas propulsion is the most appropriate and immediately available technological choice today, in order to resolve the pollution problems in urban areas. This is because the use of natural gas produces a positive impact in terms of environmental benefits (the CO2 emissions are reduced by approximately 23% and particulate emissions are virtually zero). Without considering that the choice of natural gas, from the economic aspect, is confirmed as a valid alternative to conventional fuels (diesel and petrol) which are more and more susceptible to price increases.

For the customer this means the possibility of gaining access to all urban areas which are subject to traffic limitations (associated with an excess of polluting emissions), as well as also being able to park the vehicle in garages in total safety. In addition, the natural gas distribution networks are becoming more and more widespread: for example, there are currently more than 600 filling stations in Italy with an expectation of approximately 100 new distributors to be opened shortly.

Fiat Group Automobiles aims to strengthen its position further in the field of natural gas OEM vehicles with the Natural Power versions of the Ducato and Fiorino models: the Fiat Professional brand alone recorded 47% of the registrations of natural gas fuelled commercial vehicles in Europe in 2007 (66.8% in Italy). Fiat Professional is the leader in the 1B segment, with Doblò Natural Power in particular, and has a 45% market share in Europe. Now, it is the turn of the natural gas-petrol versions of the Fiorino and Ducato to contribute to these extraordinary results which have been achieved to-date.

Ducato Natural Power

The general public can admire a Ducato Natural Power in the Maxi Panel Van, medium wheelbase, high roof configuration at Hanover (volume: 11.5 m3). The dual fuel natural gas-petrol vehicle assures excellent performance, limited consumption and above all minimum emissions. The merit goes to the 3 litre engine that develops a maximum output of 136 HP (100 kW) in the natural gas mode from 2,750 to 3,500 r.p.m. and a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,500 r.p.m. When using natural gas fuel, the Ducato Natural Power version on display on the stand reaches a maximum speed of 153 km/h; accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 13.9 seconds; accelerates from 60 to 100 km/h (in 5th gear) in 10.1 seconds; can climb a 21.5% gradient; and, lastly, consumes 9.3 kg of natural gas every 100 km. This engine was developed and produced by FPT – Fiat Powertrain Technologies: a solution that was produced to run on natural gas from the initial design phases by adopting various specific components to maximise the reliability and efficiency when using both Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and petrol.

The vehicle is configured to operate normally on natural gas, whereas the petrol mode intervenes when the natural gas supply is running out. Precisely in this latter situation the petrol tank (15 litres) assures a range that exceeds 100 km in the ‘recovery’ mode, in order to reach the nearest natural gas supply station. The gas cylinders are located under the floor, thereby maintaining full use of the loading area. More in detail, the fuel system comprises 5 gas cylinders: two 50 litre cylinders (equivalent to 8.5 kg each) and three 40 litre cylinders (equivalent to 6.8 kg each) providing an overall capacity of 220 litres (corresponding to 37.4 kg) that assures a range of 400 km.

The natural gas is stored under pressure inside the gas cylinders (200 bar nominal at 15°C), and flows into a special pipe to the pressure reducer/regulator that supplies the 4 low-pressure injectors (at approximately 7 bar). These are mounted on the cylinder heads and are activated by the specific electronic control unit. The control unit automatically switches the fuel supply to the petrol mode if the natural gas supply runs low.

Fiorino Combi Natural Power

A prototype of the Fiorino Combi Natural Power is also on show near the Ducato Natural Power with a dual petrol/natural gas fuel supply; the two systems are independent. The vehicle runs on natural gas and only the engine start phase is always performed when in the petrol mode, subsequently and automatically switching to the other fuel system. In this way the petrol supply system remains efficient and its intervention is only required when the gas in the gas cylinders has almost run out. The changeover from natural gas to petrol and vice versa, however, can always be performed manually by pressing a button on the dashboard.

The new vehicle is ideal for transport services in urban areas - also thanks to its compact dimensions -, has a minimum environmental impact and is equipped with a 1.4 litre petrol engine that adopts a Multipoint sequential phased system. This is a distinctive technical feature that enables the engine to achieve a performance comparable with the performance of diesel engines when operating in the natural gas mode: in fact, the maximum speed is approximately 150 km/h.

The Fiorino Combi Natural Power ensures excellent drivability: the engine's maximum output is 65 HP (48 kW) at 5,200 r.p.m. when running in the natural gas mode, while the maximum torque is 104 Nm at 2,600 r.p.m. Whereas, the performance is 73 HP (54 kW) at 5,200 r.p.m. and 118 Nm at 2,600 r.p.m., respectively, when the engine runs in petrol mode. The Fiorino Combi Natural Power records minimum emissions: the CO2 emissions correspond to 136 g/km in the natural gas mode compared with 164 g/km when in the petrol mode.

The natural gas is stored in two steel gas cylinders, positioned under the floor, which have an overall capacity of 86 litres (corresponding to approximately 15 kg of gas) and assure a maximum range of 300 km, thanks to a consumption of 5 kg/100 km in the combined cycle. In addition, the petrol tank (45 litres) enables a further 600 km to be travelled: therefore, in total, the overall range is a remarkable 900 km.

Lastly, the Fiorino Combi Natural Power has a usable and regular luggage compartment, the same as the diesel and petrol versions, differing from the former versions by the presence of a flat support, raised by only 120 mm, allowing small objects to be stored inside. This support also characterises the Cargo Natural Power version, enabling the loading area to maintain the flat features for the full length.