The award-winning commercial vehicle from Fiat Professional, which was launched in the UK less than two years ago, in March 2010, impressed the What Van? judging experts with its blend of economy, driveability and styling.

“The Fiat Doblò Cargo has shown its quality again during 2011, and the judges were unanimous in deciding it is again a worthy winner of the What Van? Light Van of the Year award,” says What Van? editor Paul Barker. “An impressive combination of economy, appeal, durability and driving dynamics makes the Doblò Cargo our number one light van.”

The load-carrier is a former International Van of the Year and Fleet Van of the Year winner. Available in the UK with a choice of four low emissions, Euro 4 and 5-specification engines, the new Doblò comes in eight different forms – Cargo, Cargo Maxi, Cargo SX, Cargo Maxi SX, Combi, Combi Maxi, Platform Cab and Work Up – offering something for a wide spectrum of van users.

“It’s little wonder that we call the Doblò Cargo award-winning,” says Sebastiano Fedrigo, director, Fiat Professional UK. “It’s been a success story for us right from the beginning and it’s good to see that the expert panels agree. We’re delighted with this award, especially as it’s for the second year in a row.”

The engine line-up in the UK comprises a 1.4-litre 16v 95bhp petrol unit and three MultiJet 16v diesels – 1.3 (90bhp), 1.6 (105bhp), and 2.0 (135bhp). Prices in the UK start at £11,695 (basic price) for the Doblò Cargo 1.4 16v Petrol Euro 4, or £12,515 for the Euro 5 version.

Start&Stop – which stops the engine automatically whenever traffic conditions bring the van to a complete halt, and restarts it when the driver wants to move off again – is fitted on all Euro 5 versions to give up to 15 per cent fuel savings, and the vehicles offer a low CO2 figure from just 126g/km.