Two more
top honours have been handed to Fiat Professional UK as
the company’s vans continue to boost its trophy cabinet.
Latest recognition of Fiat Professional vehicles came at
the iVan Awards 2010, held during the
Commercial Vehicle Operator Show, in Birmingham’s NEC.
Fiat’s Scudo won the Best Compact Van category
while the Fiat Fiorino scooped the Best Light Van
honour.“It’s
always a pleasure to receive an award for one of our
vans, so to be able to accept two was a great honour,”
says Gerry Clarke, director, Fiat Professional, who
received the trophies from iVan editor John Fife. “It’s a tribute to
Fiat Professional and its wonderful range of vehicles
that we continue to be in the running for CV industry
accolades and long may that continue. The vans certainly
deserve their recognition.”
Developed as part of a
long term partnership between Fiat and PSA and built in
the Sevel Nord plant, France, the Fiat Scudo is designed
for Europe’s busy towns and cities. A big carrying
capacity, ease of loading and unloading, choice of cargo
space and top safety features are among the attributes
highlighted by the iVan judges.
Powered by a choice of
three common rail diesel engines – a 1.6-litre
developing 90bhp, and a 2.0-litre available with 120 or
140bhp – Scudo prices start in the UK start at £14,965 (basic price) for
the Business 1.6 MultiJet.
The Fiorino is also
part of the Fiat and PSA joint venture and is
manufactured at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey.
Designed to be operated efficiently in crowded city
streets, it has proved a great success with small
business owners. Powered by a choice of engines – 73 bhp
1.4 petrol and 75 bhp 1.3 MultiJet turbodiesel – the
Fiorino provides safe, comfortable and economical
motoring. Prices in the UK start at £9,085 (basic price) for the
1.4 8v Petrol.
“Our awards are chosen
by both fleet and retail customers and in choosing two
Fiat vans it’s obvious that the Fiat Professional range
is striking a chord with both types of users,” says John
Fife. “The Fiorino was chosen due largely to its
driveability and ingenious use of space, while the Scudo
scored high marks for its storage and excellent load
capacity.”
