21.01.2004 AN IMPROVED INTERIOR ADDITIONAL SAFETY FEATURES AND A NEW NOSE FOR THE IMPROVED FIAT SCUDO

REVISED, MORE UP-TO-DATE DESIGN

Up-to-date, elegant styling, an original line and a sensible balance between reduced exterior size and generous space inside the cabin and load compartment: this description perfectly encapsulates the model's appearance.

The new front end reinforces the impression of vehicle sturdiness and dynamism because pronounced ribs on the brand-new bonnet successfully link front end and windscreen. Other brand new features include the front bumpers, wings and headlights with clear glass and integral turn signals. The grille is enclosed by a stylish body-coloured frame.

Black side protection strips stand out on the side panels. The new strips, present throughout the range, give the model greater solidity and protect all exterior body parts from small bumps in town traffic and during parking manoeuvres. They are also present on both doors to ensure stylistic continuity with the side panels.

The layout and design of the rear markings has been reworked: the new round FIAT logo can be found on the left side-hinged door, in the centre and above the number plate. The new 'SCUDO' wording is located low down on the left. New lozenges identifying the specification and engine version are positioned on the lower part of the right side-hinged door.

The various versions of the New Scudo can also be distinguished by their rims and tyres. Vehicles with JTD and petrol engines are equipped with 15 inch wheels and 205 / 65 R15 tyres. Compared to the previous model, the rim hole design has been modified to accommodate and cool the new oversize front brake discs more effectively. Vehicles fitted with a 1.9 D engine retain the 14 inch wheels with 195/70 R14 tyres.

Vans and chassis cab versions retain the current hub trims while the Combi JTD now comes with new 15 inch hub trims (optional on vans).

And so from the exterior to the interior. The facia comes into two specifications:

  • without an airbag or with a driver's airbag alone;
  • with a double front airbag.

The four-spoke steering wheel with soft padding is new; its diameter is 380 mm and the ergonomic rim offers excellent grip similar to that of a saloon. The steering wheel can house the controls of the new radio with CD player.

The New Scudo seats are worth separate mention. These feature new design, padding and structure plus new floor fastenings. The seats offer better lateral containment and improved driving comfort. This has been achieved by lengthening the cushion (by 10 to 50 mm according to the type of seat) and raising the backrest (by 58 to 95 mm).

The trim colours and designs have been changed: a hard-wearing Labyrinth Blue cloth on the vans, a stylish woven cloth Volea Blue on the Combi and fine Damis Blue velvet on the Combi ELX. Lastly, Van and Chassis Cab versions (only on the configuration with 3 seats in the cabin) can come with an imitation leather trim in Pierce Grey.

All versions of the New Scudo are equipped with slotted head-restraints, except the Combi ELX (solid head-restraint trimmed in blue velvet). The concealed head-restraint on the rear seats of the Combi also means greater safety by offering the driver outstanding rear visibility. All the head-restraints are height adjustable and removable, except those on the two-seater front bench, if a partition is fitted between the cabin and load compartment.

The driver's seat is height-adjustable as standard to ensure a vertical travel of 45 mm (8 mm longer than the previous version). The longitudinal travel has been increased by 50 mm compared to the previous solution, i.e. from 170 to 220 mm. The driver's seat settings (reach, backrest and ride) complement the steering wheel height settings to ensure an outstanding ergonomic posture and great cabin comfort for customers of all sizes.

The New Scudo driver's seat is also equipped as standard with a head-restraint, except on configurations with a two-seater front bench. The single passenger's seat is also adjustable for reach and rake and is fitted as standard with a head-restraint on Combi ELX versions.

From individual seats to benches. The middle seat of the two-seater front bench is fitted with a 3-point seat-belt and a fold-down table in the backrest that may be used as a writing desk when lowered. It comes with a document clip, mobile phone compartment and a double can-holder.

Combi versions are highly versatile and can accommodate, by using different forms of layout at the rear, two or three rows of seats for an overall total of 5/6 or 7/8/9 people. The three-seater bench in the last row (second row on Combi 5/6, third row for Combi 7/8/9) also features a reclining backrest. It may be folded flat like a book and even dismantled using a new Ball Fix anchorage system and removed to make the most of the load space.

On Combi 8/9 versions, the central row consists of a fixed two-seater bench plus a single swivelling seat (on the side of the right sliding door) with a new ergonomic tilt mechanism to allow passengers easy access to the last row of seats.