19.01.2004 FIAT SCUDO VAN RECEIVES MAKEOVER AND SAFETY UPGRADE FOR 2004: FIRST DETAILS EMERGE

Fiat Auto have presented the New Scudo at the Brussels Motor Show. This is the ideal response to cutting-edge European urban and intercity goods transport requirements in the light commercial vehicle segment, i.e. vehicles with 4 to 5 m3 of interior volume and 850 to 930 kg of payload.

The brisk, no-nonsense and safe New Scudo is the result of an advanced design that assures impeccable dynamic behaviour under all application conditions. The new range now on offer has made the vehicle more stylish, comfortable and safe. This has been achieved by tweaking the interior and exterior style, particularly at the front where the shape is now more up-to-date and better proportioned.

The new model's ergonomics and acoustic comfort also make it a veritable benchmark for its sector. The New Scudo offers greater safety with an upgraded braking system, sidebags and 3-point seat-belts on all seats.

The New Scudo confirms its ability to reconcile performance, handling and car-standardcomfort with loading capacity and ease - not to mention the dependability and profitability typical of a commercial vehicle.

Its winning features include: ability to carry a payload of up to 930 kilograms and up to 5 cubic metres of effective volume; generously sized sliding side doors and two rear side-hinged doors; ample width between the wheelarches and reduced ground clearance for easier goods loading and unloading operations. The roomy, well-lit cabin is thoroughly sound-proofed and climate controlled to offer passenger room and driving comfort levels comparable to those of an up-to-date saloon.

In fact, a recent advertising campaign used the following slogan: 'Fiat Scudo. Easily mistaken for a car'. The range is broad and diverse, as demonstrated by the seven available body versions: Glazed and Panel Van with short or long wheelbase. Chassis cab with short or long wheelbase and Combi for the transport of people and goods. In addition, customers can choose between five engines (136 bhp (100 kW) 2.0 16v petrol; 69 bhp (51 kW) 1.9 diesel; 94 bhp (69 kW) 2.0 JTD; 109 bhp (80 kW) 2.0 JTD 8v; 109 kW (80 kW) 2.0 JTD 16v).

The tried and tested, noiseless and environmentally friendly engines used on the New Scudo assure spirited performance, handling, reliability and extraordinary sturdiness with particularly low running costs. Finally, combi versions with a 2.0 16v petrol engine also offer a four speed self-adaptive automatic transmission.