Star of the Fiat's display is the Ducato Bipower, making its German debut. This vehicle can run on petrol or methane, simply switching when required, as it operates a common ignition system. Fiat's original multipoint methane system, the product of the company's research into alternative fuels adapts complex petrol engine electronics to operate methane as efficiently as possible.

'Commercial vehicles: the better solution': this is the motto of the 59th edition of the commercial vehicle IAA to be held from 12 to 19 September 2002 in Hanover, where some 1200 exhibitors from 44 countries will present their new products. Fiat will present a cross-section through its commercial vehicle range at the biggest commercial vehicle show in the world. Alongside the Ducato, Fiat's best-seller, visitors will also be able to see the Fiat Scudo, Fiat Doblò Cargo, Fiat Strada pick-up and the Fiat Punto Van. 

This extensive range, so carefully geared to meeting the needs of its customers, made Fiat during the first half of the year the second biggest selling commercial vehicle brand in Europe with 12.2 percent of the market. In Germany Fiat maintains its position as the leading imported commercial vehicle brand. It took third place after Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, with 17,000 units sold and a market share of 13.6 percent. This result acquires new significance in the context of the falling market and is evidence of the warm welcome that customers have accorded Fiat's commercial vehicle range. During 2002, Fiat expects sales volumes of 31,000 units of which 23,000 will be accounted for by the Fiat Ducato alone. 

Fiat plans to present 15 vehicles to sector professionals and the largest space on the stand is occupied by the Ducato. The star of the range is the new Fiat Ducato Bipower, due to make its German debut at the Hanover show. 

The vehicle is equipped with a four cylinder 2.0 engine with a power output of 81 kW (110 bhp) when running on petrol and 71 kW (97 bhp) when running on methane. Both fuel systems are independent but share a single ignition system: i.e. the petrol system. The methane is stored in pressurised cylinders (200 bars of rated pressure at 15°C) and flows through a special pipe to a pressure adaptor/regulator that supplies the four low-pressure injectors (9 bars). These are fitted to the cylinder head and operated by a dedicated electronic control unit. If the methane runs out, the control unit automatically switches over to the petrol system. Otherwise, drivers can switch from one fuel system to the other at any time by pressing a button on the facia. 

The Multipoint methane system is an original product of Fiat research into alternative fuel systems and offers considerable advantages. It adapts the sophisticated electronic control techniques used with petrol engines to the specifications of methane to ensure the new Fiat Ducato excellent handling with good torque and power levels, low fuel consumption and - above all - minimum emissions in absolute safety. 

The position of the methane tanks is very important when it comes to making the most of the load compartment. Because they are located under the vehicle floorpan, the alternative drive system can even be used for people-carrying versions. 

Cylinder capacity amounts to 160 litres overall. Because of this, a full tank of methane allows a range of 270 km over and above the range assured by the petrol (80 litres). 

Because methane is a very environmentally-friendly fuel, the Ducato Bipower, due to make its appearance in Germany at the end of the year, is particularly well-suited to transport in city traffic. 

Apart from the Bipower version, the Hanover event also features a selection of the updated equipment, safety and comfort features offered by the Fiat Ducato range. This model has established itself as a benchmark in the light transport vehicle sector and is better adapted than ever to a huge range of uses. 

Because its technical design allows great versatility and conversion potential (compact power unit at the front and room for goods or people at the rear), the Ducato is particularly appreciated by body shops (more than 193,000 camper vans have been built on a Ducato chassis in Germany) and outfitters. This is borne out by the versions displayed on the Fiat stand: a twin cab Ducato 15 2.3 JTD used for road works, a 15 2.3 JTD Ducato van with medium wheelbase and high top, a 15 2.8 JTD Ducato 4x4 for mixed use with medium wheelbase, a 14-seater 2.8 JTD Ducato Minibus with long wheelbase and high top, a deluxe 11 2.8 JTD Ducato bus Panorama with short wheelbase, a Ducato converted by Alko into a pick-up truck - and lastly a camper van outfitted by Karabag. All these specifications demonstrate the outstanding versatility of the Italian best-seller in the light transport vehicle sector. 

Visitors to Hanover can also admire the Fiat Scudo, a compact, versatile light transport vehicle that has been the benchmark in its sector since 1996 due to its attributes of practicality, safety, design, user-friendliness, comfort and quality. Not to mention a maximum payload of 825 kilograms (900 kg in higher capacity versions) and an effective volume of four or five cubic metres. Two versions of the vehicle can be seen at the Show: a van with a long wheelbase and 2.0 common rail Turbodiesel engine (80 kW/109 bhp) and an 8-seater deluxe mixed service vehicle with a 100 kW (136 bhp) 2.0 petrol engine and an automatic transmission. The latter version complements and enhances our range of vehicles devoted to light transport. Its front end has been fully redesigned for greater appeal and it now offers a long list of creature comforts (including electric windows, central locking, velvet trim and electrically-adjustable door mirrors). 

The Fiat Doblò Cargo is making its first outing at the IAA. A payload of 610 to 790 kilograms and an effective volume of 3.2 to 3.8 cubic metres set this vehicle at the very top of its segment. The Fiat Doblò Cargo combines the qualities of a transport vehicle with all the comfort of a car. The model is also in a class of its own when it comes to performance and manoeuvrability. This year it offers a more extensive range of engines. The 1.2 petrol (48 kW/65 bhp) and 1.9 aspirated diesel (46 kW/63 bhp) units are now joined by a four cylinder 1.6 engine with four valves per cylinder (76 kW/103 bhp) and a 1.9 common rail direct injection Turbodiesel (74 kW/100 bhp). 

The market bears this out: during the first half of this year, 25,000 were sold in Western Europe (compared to 16,000 the previous year) and the market share therefore increased from 6.6 to 11 percent. In Germany, the Fiat Doblò Cargo sold more than 2000 during the first half of the year to carve out a 12.1 percent share of its segment (compared to 10.2 percent the previous year). 

In Hanover, the Fiat Doblò Cargo displays its strengths and versatility in three different versions: Doblò Cargo SX with electrician's workshop outfit and the frugal 1.9 aspirated Diesel engine (46 kW/63 bhp); a Doblò Cargo SX 1.9 JTD with high top and a 74 kW (100 bhp) 1.9 Diesel common rail engine for outstanding performance; and a Doblò Cargo SX 1.9 JTD outfitted as a refrigerated truck. 

The exhibition line-up is completed by a Fiat Strada pick-up with its load platform covered with mountain bikes to demonstrate the sport and leisure potential of this sturdy light transport vehicle - and a Punto Van. A payload of more than 500 kilograms and an effective volume of one cubic metre make this the ideal transport vehicle for small volumes and also the ideal service vehicle for small businesses and traders. 

Visitors to the Show can test drive our vehicles outside to experience the special qualities of Fiat transport vehicles at first hand. Benefits include a convenient adaptive automatic transmission with Tiptronic function. This device is fitted to the Ducato, which also offers all-round visibility during manoeuvres due to a TV camera at the rear. Another feature, the innovative Connect infotelematic node, can also convert this best-selling transport vehicle into a mobile office if required. Test drives can also be booked for people-carrying and van versions of the Fiat Scudo, the Fiat Doblò Cargo Panorama with 1.9 JTD engine and the Fiat Strada. 

01.09.2002  NEW MODELS: FIAT DOBLO CARGO
01.09.2002  NEW MODELS: FIAT SCUDO
18.01.2002  NEW MODELS: FIAT DUCATO