Visitors to the Parma Show will also be admire numerous conversions of the Ducato that demonstrate the model's great flexibility. 

The Fiat Ducato is a benchmark in its category for driving comfort and quality of life on board. Its versatility (more than 600 versions and 140 options) and great load capacity (its payload ranges from 1000 to 1800 kg and its volume from 7.5 to 14 cubic metres) have made it a huge hit: more than 1,300,000 units have been sold since 1981. 

The new Fiat Ducato is also a paragon of performance, reliability and running economy. These attributes are assured by a range of six engines that include: a 2.0 petrol unit, three Common Rail turbodiesels, an 84 bhp 2.0 JTD, the 110 bhp Sofim 2.3 JTD 16v and a 127 bhp 2.8 JTD (the latter with automatic transmission). And last but not least, two minimum environmental impact engines with dual fuel systems, petrol-methane (Bipower) and petrol-LPG (Gpower). 

The vehicle is also greatly appreciated for its ability to meet the needs of customers who are not content with a general-purpose vehicle but want a customised unit that will allow them to increase productivity and business with less toil. 
Here are a few examples. 

chassis cab with light alloy van structure

This outfit, based on a long wheelbase Ducato Chassis Cab Maxi 2.8 JTD is particularly appreciated by couriers. It allows you to travel as comfortably as in a car yet also lets you stow away a very respectable volume (15 cubic metres) of packages and packed goods inside a very light aluminium box for a very good payload (1200 kg). 

low cabin with 30m³ van structure

This conversion really lifts the Ducato above its workaday rivals. It arose from a joint venture between Fiat and two outfitters. The first replaced the original chassis with a lower version with long wheelbase and overhang (length available for body of 5.8 m) while the second applied a large light alloy van structure. The version won the Fiera del Levante prize as the most innovative vehicle in the show and now the only light commercial vehicle in Italy that can be driven on a type B driving license while offering a load volume of more than 30 cubic metres. 

chassis cab with box, curtain sides & cover

The base in this case is a Ducato Maxi 2.8 JTD with medium wheelbase. The vehicle is equipped with a fixed box with aluminium alloy sides (2950 x 2000 x 2200 millimetres) and a hydraulically-controlled rear load flap. This device makes goods loading and unloading operations easier and also allows employers to ensure their employees respect load carrying limits (no more than 30 kilos for men and 20 for women). 

Work is made even easier by floor controls that can be used to operate the footboard with the feet. 

Bipower refrigerated van

This is a truly environmentally friendly vehicle. It is a means of transport conceived and designed for people who work in towns where the need to control emissions is growing day by day. Hence the decision to deploy a winning duo, i.e. a long wheelbase Maxi with dual fuel system (petrol and methane) coupled with a 9 cubic metre refrigeration chamber with plate cooling system. This highly innovative system runs off electricity. All you have to do is connect it to the mains for a couple of hours and the plates keep temperatures below zero for 70 hours. 

This Ducato conversion does not need a refrigerator compressor that would force the engine to work harder and produce more emissions. This major reduction in emissions therefore complements the reduction already achieved by the methane power unit. 

Panorama for disabled transport

The vehicle is a Panorama Granvolume 2.8 JTD with medium wheelbase outfitted for the transport of people with limited mobility. It offers eight places, three with seats specially configured for the disabled (higher head-restraint, double belt etc.) and with room for a wheelchair. It is equipped with a hydraulic rear lift located under the floorpan and an electric step near the sliding side door. 

mobile office combi

This is the ideal vehicle for reaching the homes of users who find it difficult to use public or private services because they are far away or difficult to reach (e.g. residents in small centres or mountain communities). 

The interior of the vehicle (a Combi Granvolume with medium wheelbase) can hold two operators and three users in a space equipped with a desk with table for computer, printer, fax, drawers and filing cabinets. It also offers a space for storing PCs, mobile phones and other items of value in safety. 

mobile workshops

The vans outfitted as mobile workshops are equally useful and even more widely-used. No fewer than three vehicles are on show at Transpotec this year: a long wheelbase Ducato Bipower Granvolume, a medium wheelbase 2.8 JTD Granvolume and a 4x4 2.8 JTD. The vehicles come with wooden shelves, workbench, racks, drawers, cabinets, containers and automatic removable footboard. The outfit is complemented by a roofrack that consists of three aluminium cross bars, side flaps and a rear roller or convenient ladder holders. 

Vehicles outfitted in this way can be used to repair agricultural machinery or lift trucks, for example, that would be difficult and costly to take off-site. They can also be taken to a customer's premises to repair hydraulic and electrical systems etc. 

The outfits described here are only a small portion of the dozens and dozens of possible Ducato outfits. This description does not even include all the outfits on show in Parma where you can also see a Maxi Chassis Cab with integral isothermal chamber to which can be added a refrigeration unit. Or a twin cab with aluminium box that is ideal for carrying small work teams - or an ultralong (4050 mm) wheelbase Maxi Chassis Cab with 21 cubic metre light alloy van structure for carrying light but very bulky products.