The all-new Fiat Doblò has broken cover for the first time as the low-cost light commercial vehicle prepares to usher in a new model nine years after it was first launched. Known as Project 263, and to be built once again by Fiat's joint venture company Tofaş at its factory in Busa, Turkey, the images capture the final assembly models on the production line ahead of its debut later this year and show clear family design language in common with the smaller Fiat Fiorino van that was also developed and built by Tofaş as well as traditional Doblò cues in the form of an enveloping front bumper.

The outgoing Doblò model was introduced in 2001 based on a well-tested platform that was derived from the "Project 178 World Car" Fiat Palio which itself evolved from the Fiat Uno. Developed by Fiat Centro Stile and built by Tofaş in Turkey, the van provided a low cost option for consumers and proved to be a strong seller in markets across the world as well as Europe, including Brazil where it is also marketed in a beefed up off-road styled "Adventure" series version. A 5- or 7-seat passenger carrying version, called the Panorama, has also been a very popular addition to the range.

In the autumn of 2005 the Doblò received a mid lifecycle facelift with a comprehensively revised front end including new bumper, grille and headlights, plus minor cosmetic treatment to rear (including new lights) and interior; and it quickly collected the prestigious Van of the Year 2006 title. The first generation Doblò was fitted with 1.2-litre petrol and 1.9-litre diesel (including JTD) engines while for the facelift the van received a 1.4-litre petrol unit and the 1.3- and 1.9-litre 16v Multijet turbodiesels while there is also a 1.6 16v "Natural Power" version.

The all-new next-generation Project 263 "New Doblò" has seen an investment of 370 million euros being made by Tofaş, which is a 50-50 joint venture between Fiat Group and Turkish conglomerate Koç Holding A.Ş, a Fortune Global 500 company, since the project got underway in October 2007. This project, just like the recently realised "Minicargo" (Fiat Fiorino/Peugeot Bipper/Citroën Nimo) has been entirely financed by Tofas through a 10 year loan which has a built-in 2 year grace period. Tofaş has also taken the lead in its engineering development, as it did for the first time with the Minicargo project, with input for Fiat Centro Stile in Turin. Production is slated at 120,000 units per year with 70 percent being destined for European markets.