Fiat Professional’s latest Doblo Cargo line-up aims to please both fleet managers, with improved fuel consumption and market-leading carrying capacity, and drivers by offering lower in-cab noise levels and uprated infotainment systems. The vans have also been made more drivable, with improved torque response for the two most popular engines.
However, while Doblo adopts an all-new face, with revised grille and lights, the interior of right-hand drive models remains unchanged, despite continental models getting a facelift inside as well.
The UK business was offered the updated interior, but opted to keep the existing trim, to maximise its competitive edge in the UK market. Not that this is a bad thing, as the Doblo Cargo remains a comfortable place to spend time, with additional soundproofing dropping internal noise levels by up to 3dB on the new models.
Other subtle changes include a lighter clutch and retuned engines, that aim to deliver more torque earlier in the rev range for improved urban driving. The engine range itself remains much the same, with the 90hp 1.3-litre Multijet II diesel taking around 60% of UK sales. This is followed by the 105hp 1.6-litre diesel, delivering 105hp in manual trim and 90hp if you opt for the Comfort-Matic automated manual box, though hardly anybody does.
That 105hp engine has become increasingly popular though, as the split between short and long wheelbase models has also changed over the last few years. As many as 40% of UK Doblo Cargo sales are now the longer vans. This is in part due to the arrival of the high roof XL, with its 5m3 capacity and 1-tonne payload tempting down-sizing customers out of larger models.
For those seeking ultimate performance, particularly when running at higher weights, there is still a 2.0-litre diesel engine boasting a very healthy 135hp, while a 1.4-litre petrol motor can also be had delivering 95hp. This is primarily aimed more at the people carrying versions of the van though.
Of more interest is a new EcoJet specification for both the 1.3 and 1.6-litre diesels. Costing £450, it includes Stop/Start, low rolling resistance tyres, low viscocity oils, an intelligent alternator, a variable displacement oil pump and a new aerodynamic pack. Fiat claims fuel efficiency gains of up to 15% for the 1.6 EcoJet and 12% for the smaller engine are possible.
Fiat Professional is also making its Traction+ electronic traction system available on Doblo for the first time. This includes 16” all-season tyres and metal under-engine protection as well as the traction control system.
Another new option is Gateway, a factory-supplied module that plugs into the van’s diagnostic port to provide an easily accessible outlet for a range of after-market telematic systems. This stops telematic providers and other fleet management suppliers having to break into the vehicle’s electronic system.
There are popular Tecnico versions of the 1.3-litre short wheelbase van and the 1.6-litre long wheelbase models on offer too. For a premium of £1,630, Tecnico vans get air conditioning, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, Start/Stop, remote steering wheel audio controls and a dealer-fit sat-nav, on top of the generous SX trim level.
What we think
Fiat Professional sold more than 1.4m Doblo Cargos globally since the last generation was launched in 2000. The upgrades around this time should prove equally popular.
Specification
MODEL Fiat Professional Doblo Cargo SX 1.6 XL Euro 5+
BASIC PRICE £17,045
ENGINE 4-cyl/1,598cc
FUEL INJECTION Common-rail
POWER 105hp @ 4,000rpm
TORQUE 290Nm @ 1,500rpm
Weights (kg)
GVW 2,460
KERB WEIGHT 1,460
PAYLOAD 1,005
MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 1,300
Dimensions (mm)
LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,170
LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,714
LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,550
LOAD VOLUME 5.0m3
Cost considerations
COMBINED CO2/MPG 158g/km/47.1mpg
OIL CHANGE 2 yr/21,000 miles
WARRANTY 3 yr/120,000 miles