If the new Ducato from Fiat Professional looks somewhat familiar, there are a couple of good reasons. The first is that despite a facelift involving new lights, with an LED option and integrated daytime running lights, a revised grille design, four-section front bumpers and new rear light clusters, the big Fiat looks much like its predecessor, albeit one with a bit of nip and tuck.
The second is that Ducato is built alongside Citroën’s Relay and Peugeot’s Boxer, so you will have seen something familiar already in these pages.
Ducato does differ from its PSA siblings, with Fiat power on all models, rather than the Ford/PSA 2.2-litre of the French duo. The 2.3-litre MultiJet II engine used in the Ducato offers similar 110hp, 130hp and 150hp outputs, with both Fiat and Peugeot using the Italian firm’s 3.0-litre engine in a higher-rated 180hp model.
Unlike the French duo, Fiat will be offering Start/Stop on both 130hp and 150hp models, resulting in a claimed 45.6mpg and 164g/km for both engines in the smallest Ducato body. Overall Fiat is claiming a 10% fuel saving against the previous range and all engines now come with 30,000 mile service intervals to further reduce costs.
The vans drive through a slick six-speed manual gearbox, though Fiat’s accomplished Comfort-Matic automated six-speed transmission is available with all engines bar the base 110hp variant. It is very good, but at £1,300 it will probably remain an option that is limited to the motorcaravan and owner-driver markets.
We have only driven the Fiat in left hand drive and the Peugeot in right hand drive, which can have an effect on noise levels due to the positioning of the steering column relative to the engine. That said, the Ducato’s engine installation is undoubtedly the quieter and less intrusive. Both the 130hp and the 150hp engines are smooth and offer plenty of pulling power in a half-laden 3.5 tonne van. Updates to the braking system, with bigger ventilated discs and a new servo, have resulted in 45% less brake force being required from the driver, while revised suspension both front and rear leads to improved handling and ride quality.
Ducato retains its front drive layout but now comes with ESP as standard, incorporating a roll-over mitigation system, load adaptive control, Hill Holder and a drive torque control called MSR, to prevent wheelspin when pulling away.
The Tecnico trim, which will set you back an additional £1,650 over the standard Ducato, also includes air conditioning, front fogs, reverse parking sensors, sat nav with a 5” touchscreen, LED daytime running lights, a rear camera and a high level instrument panel. Tecnico is available on the most popular 3.0t SH1 130 van, the 3.5t MH1 130 and the LH2 130, also at 3.5t.
The standard van is very well equipped. It has a DAB radio, driver’s seat lumbar adjust and armrest, heated electric mirrors and electric windows, Bluetooth, a full height steel bulkhead and a 30W stereo with MP3 and USB/Aux-in ports.
Lower consumption and emissions, an improved specification and a focus on durability should lead to reduced ownership costs for this revised Ducato.
What we think
Fiat engines put clear air between Ducato and its French cousins. The van delivers a relaxed driving environment and significant savings.
Specification
MODEL Fiat Ducato LH2 130 MultiJet II
BASIC PRICE £25,845
ENGINE 4-cylinder/2,287cc
FUEL INJECTION Common-rail
POWER 130hp @ 3,600rpm
TORQUE 320Nm @ 1,800rpm
Weights (kg)
GVW 3,500
KERB WEIGHT 1,975
PAYLOAD 1,525
MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 2,500
Dimensions (mm)
LOAD SPACE LENGTH 3,705
LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,870
LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,932
LOAD HEIGHT (unladen) 560
LOAD VOLUME 13.0m3
Cost considerations
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 90 litres
COMBINED MPG & CO2 40.4mpg/183g/km
OIL CHANGE 2 yr/30,000 miles
WARRANTY 3 yr/120,000 miles