The FIAT Ducato is one of the proper names within the commercial vehicle segment and brings with it a renewal with interesting new features. The Italian model is the first in its class to offer Level 2 autonomous driving and shines with equipment and connectivity.
The FIAT Ducato It is the best-selling light commercial vehicle in Europe in 2020 and has won over customers for its capacity and flexibility. The model has been renewed with the arrival of the Series 8, which I have already been able to know and drive, and which brings with it category-leading connectivity, technology and safety.
The aesthetic renovation of the Italian model exposes a redesigned front grill with the new FIAT logo and bumpers with skid plates. The front also stands out for the new optics that can be Full Led with dynamic indicators, the latter an unprecedented feature for a commercial vehicle.
There are no major changes in the exterior design to remain perfectly recognizable, but inside there are many new features. To begin with, the new seats are larger and softer to offer greater comfort and offer solutions such as the passenger seat Eat and Work: by folding down the backrest of the central seat, a sliding table is obtained that helps make the cabin a comfortable space to work or eat.
The door panels have been redesigned to be more spacious and the option to equip the Keyless Entry and Go system to open and close the cab and cargo compartment doors and start the engine without a key. The steering wheel, which is adjustable in depth, is also new, as is the air conditioning module, and includes A and C USB sockets, a 230 V high-voltage socket, an electric parking brake and a charging base. wireless for smartphones.
The new Ducato adds a digital instrument cluster with a 7-inch TFT screen and a design similar to the Full Digital Cockpit of passenger cars such as the FIAT Tipo. As for Uconnect multimedia systems there are three possible options with screens of 5, 7 or 10.1 inches. The most complete has wireless compatibility with Android Auto and Apple Carplay, digital radio, voice recognition and navigation functions with TomTom 3D cartography.
Connectivity is a fundamental element and the model made of Italian Atessa silver has the options of including numerous services:
- My Remote, which locks and unlocks the doors remotely, sets alerts for speed, areas and time slots.
- My Car, which monitors the status of the vehicle at any time.
- My Assistant, who sends geolocated help in the event of an accident or breakdown.
- My Navigation, which shows real-time traffic information, speed camera position or weather forecasts.
- My Wifi, which allows you to connect up to 8 devices and allows you to use Amazon Alexa services.
- My Alert, which alerts in case of attempted theft.
- My Fleet Manager, which is a tool for company fleet management.
Versions for all tastes
In the mechanical section, the Ducato 2022 incorporates new diesel engines with third generation MultiJet technology, which FIAT claims have 300,000 km of guaranteed reliability. The engine block of this industrial design has four cylinders, a capacity of 2.2 liters and has direct injection with a variable geometry turbocharger. The entire range is equipped with a 105 Ah battery and a 220 A alternator.
The range offers four power levels with 120, 140, 160 and 180 hp and between 320 and 450 Nm of maximum torque depending on the cavalry. They are associated with a 6-speed manual gearbox but there is the possibility of equipping a 9-speed 9Speed torque converter automatic transmission in all except the 120 hp access version.
Any of these combinations can be chosen in Light Duty and Heavy Duty versions (except MultiJet3 120 which is always Light Duty). The Ducato Heavy Duty have the same price as the Light Duty and are the most suitable for transformations of more than 2,840 kg, offering more ease of realization and homologation. It should be remembered that this model is one of the most demanded bases for motorhomes.
With four lengths and three heights to choose from, this front-wheel drive model comes to have up to 2.2 tons payload and 17 cubic meters of space in the cargo compartment. Specifications include Closed, Glass or Semi-Glazed Van, Double Cab Van, Glazed or Semi-Glazed Combi with up to 9 Seats, Chassis and Panorama.
During the FIAT Professional presentation event I had the opportunity to drive the new Ducato MultiJet3 140 with manual transmission. He is energetic to move with sufficiency in any situation and it is comfortable and refined enough.
FIAT proposes an electric power steering to make the guidance more pleasant and the manual transmission is precise. The dashboard extends downward and is very close to the driver’s legs, something that can be annoying when operating the pedals depending on our driving position.
Visibility in some left turns is compromised by the thick A-pillar but at least side visibility is good thanks to generous rear-view mirrors and to the rear there is a wide-angle rear camera. As an option, the interesting Digital Central Mirror, a digital interior rear-view mirror composed of an 8.9-inch LCD screen that projects the rear image.
Driving aids are numerous and autonomous emergency braking system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, light and rain sensor, traffic sign recognition system, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane maintenance system, traffic jam assistant or fatigue detector, among other things.
Thanks to these elements included in the Co-Driver package, the new FIAT Ducato can boast of being the first commercial vehicle with autonomous driving of level 2 in versions with automatic transmission. It also has crosswind assistant, trailer stability assistant and a semi-autonomous assistant for parallel and battery parking maneuvers. Helps that are always welcome.
The new FIAT Ducato 8 Series is for sale from 28,500 euros + VAT.