irishcar.com

11 June 2002: Fiat say its new Ducato range is bigger, better and smarter by design. The Ducato Light Commercial Vehicle range has been the backbone of the Fiat LCV range for over twenty years with over 1.2m units sold to date. The latest evolution of the Ducato range, launched internationally a few months ago, goes on sale here this month.

The range was unveiled to motoring journalists yesterday. Pictured (above) at the press preview was Fiat Auto Ireland's PR Manager Joe Gantly with a 2.0-litre Scudo JTD, converted into a 6-seater taxi with a cordoned off luggage section.

The New Ducato range comes to Ireland in 17 versions, all of which use Common-Rail turbo-diesel engines, the technological breakthrough pioneered by Fiat researchers some years ago.

The new Ducato range comprises three model families - 1.1 ton panel vans, 1.5 ton panel vans and Maxi vans with a further group of three vehicles designed and engineered specifically for easy conversion to taxis and minibuses.

The new Ducato 11, 1.1 ton panel van is available here with both short wheelbase (SWB) and medium wheelbase (MWB) and both versions are on offer with a 2.0-litre JTD (Common Rail) and 2.3-litre JTD engines.

The new Ducato 15, 1.5 ton panel van is available in MWB, MWB Hi-Roof and Big Volume versions. The Ducato 15 MWB is available with 2.0-litre JTD and 2.3-litre JTD engines; the latter unit is also used in the MWB JTD Hi-Roof and the Big Volume. The Ducato 15 Big Volume is available with a 2.8-litre JTD engine also.

The Ducato Maxi panel van comes with both 2.3 JTD and 2.8 JTD engines. Additionally, there is a Maxi chassis cab, a Maxi chassis cab with an extended frame, and a Maxi chassis with a double (crew) cab. All these versions come with the 2.8-litre JTD engine.

For those in the conversion business there are three versions of specific interest - Ducato 15 SWB glazed, Maxi 2.3 JTD glazed and Maxi 2.8 JTD glazed.

The 2.0-litre JTD engine produces 84 bhp at 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 192 Nm at only 1900 rpm. The new 2.3-litre JTD engine produces 110 bhp at 3600 rpm and maximum torque of 270 Nm is available at 1800 rpm. The most powerful engine available in the range, the 2.8-litre JTD, produces 127 bhp at 3600 rpm and peak torque of 300 Nm at 3600 rpm.

New comfort and safety levels include height-adjustable driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, fascia mounted gear lever, a writing surface complete with book rest and clipboard mounted on the fascia plus a table-top with glass-holder and clipboard built into the centre seat squab to help the driver manage paperwork, as well as electrically operated windows/mirrors, and remote control central door locks.

The New Ducato uses 280 mm ventilated front disc brakes and the vehicle braking system has built in dual-circuit and self-adjustment for added operational safety.

New Fiat Ducato prices range from 19,602 euros incl VAT to 35,090 euros for the Maxi 2.8-litre JTD glazed minibus.

The Ducato is being introduced within the context of the Fiat LCV range. Yesterday, LCV brand manager Jean-Cristophe Canavesio said Fiat has ‘all the range that would suit a customer’s needs, the widest range on offer in the segment’.

Fiat has sold between 900 and 1,000 Ducatos a year and intends to increase sales significantly. This year they hope to sell 1,500 Ducatos, including old and new models. However, next year only new Ducatos will be on offer.

In the next few weeks Fiat will bring in a Scudo taxi special series, allowing a driver to carry one passenger beside him in the front. There will be only five seats in the back, with the introduction of the luggage compartment.

Fiat Auto Ireland has a 26-strong, nationwide dealer network to support LCV sales and after-sales. In addition, there are three LCV professional dealers who specialise in the sales and servicing of LCV’s. These are Airton Motor Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24; Donohoes, Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10, and HB Dennis Commercials, Fairview, Dublin 3.

Fiat Auto Ireland boss Michael Howe told of plans to continue to upgrade dealers so showrooms are also dedicated to selling commercial vehicles.