Two years in, and two Light Van of the Year awards – the highly successful Fiat Doblò Cargo has taken this important What Van? honour for the second consecutive year.
The award-winning commercial vehicle from Fiat Professional, which was launched less than two years ago, in March 2010, impressed the What Van? judging experts with its blend of economy, driveability and styling.
“The Fiat Doblò Cargo has shown its quality again during 2011, and the judges were unanimous in deciding it is again a worthy winner of the What Van? Light Van of the Year award,” says What Van? editor Paul Barker. “An impressive combination of economy, appeal, durability and driving dynamics makes the Doblò Cargo our number one light van.”
The popular load-carrier is a former International Van of the Year and Fleet Van of the Year. Available with a choice of four low emissions, Euro 4 and 5-specification engines, the new Doblò comes in eight different forms – Cargo, Cargo Maxi, Cargo SX, Cargo Maxi SX, Combi, Combi Maxi, Platform Cab and Work Up – offering something for a wide spectrum of van users.
“It’s little wonder that we call the Doblò Cargo award-winning,” says Sebastiano Fedrigo, director, Fiat Professional UK. “It’s been a success story for us right from the beginning and it’s good to see that the expert panels agree. We’re delighted with this award, especially as it’s for the second year in a row.”
The engine line-up comprises a 1.4-litre 16v 95bhp petrol unit and three MultiJet 16v diesels – 1.3 (90bhp), 1.6 (105bhp), and 2.0 (135bhp). Prices start at £11,695 (basic price) for the Doblò Cargo 1.4 16v Petrol Euro 4, or £12,515 for the Euro 5 version.
Start&Stop – which stops the engine automatically whenever traffic conditions bring the van to a complete halt, and restarts it when the driver wants to move off again – is fitted on all Euro 5 versions to give up to 15 per cent fuel savings, and the vehicles offer a low CO2 figure from just 126g/km.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Saturday, 26 November 2011
New Fiat Panda
Fiat 500C TwinAir 'Gold Winner for Green Vehicles' in Top Environmental Awards
This time it was the turn of the 500C convertible version which, in TwinAir form, won the Green Apple Gold Award for Green Vehicles, Coupes and Cabriolets, at the 2011 International Green Apple Awards.
The Green Apple trophy was presented to Fiat by TV Dragon’s Den winner Chris Hopkins, and Ian Donaldson, chairman of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, which judged and selected the winners, at the House of Commons in London yesterday (14 November).
“We were looking for cars that are not just green on paper, but are green in the real world too, and are also fun to drive,” says Ian Donaldson. “The Fiat 500C TwinAir totally encapsulates those thoughts and was a worthy winner.”
Launched by Fiat in July 2009, the 500C does everything its hatchback sister can do in terms of green motoring, but, in paying homage to the original 1957 fabric roof Fiat 500, offers a modern interpretation of a ‘soft top’ with state-of-the-art mechanical design and electric operation.
The TwinAir engine is already an award winner, not least as International Engine of the Year 2011. The 0.9-litre two cylinder unit is widely deemed to be the one that best suits the 500’s fun-to-drive attitude. Its high torque at low revs and environmentally-friendly credentials help make the 500 TwinAir a serious contender among rival city cars. With a 95g/km CO2 figure it can return more than 68mpg Combined fuel economy.
“I am delighted that Fiat is once again figuring in the Green Apple Awards – we were there two years ago with eco:Drive,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “And it is especially pleasing that the award this year recognises two huge developments for 500 – the ‘soft top’ roof and the two cylinder engine. It demonstrates the breadth and depth of this remarkable city car.”
New Doblo Work Up Launched
A reliable, tough workmate who can boast the best dimensions/payload ratio, as can be expected from the most recent version of the New Doblò Cargo, the record-breaking vehicle.
The real strength of the new Doblò Work Up is its plywood platform: 2.3 m long, 1.82 m wide and with 4 m² of surface for accommodating up to 3 euro pallets or 33 crates of fruit, so that you have all the room you need for the load. Furthermore, to make it easier to access, the body is provided with a step on the outside and shaped aluminium sideboards. And to guarantee increased safety during transport it has rings for securing the load and ladder rack. A useful compartment is provided beneath the floor to stow even long and bulky work tools and instruments in complete safety and protected from the elements.
The new Doblò Work Up engine range at launch will be feature two turbo diesel engines - the 1.3 MultiJet 90 HP and the 1.6 MultiJet 105 HP both Euro 5 type-approved. All engines offer remarkable driving satisfaction, excellent performance, low noise levels, low running costs (fuel consumption and maintenance), and are very reliable and eco-friendly. The Euro 5 engines offer the Start&Stop system and particulate filter as standard.
Driving comfort is also first-rate with bi-link suspensions, comfortable seats and with options like climate control, Cruise Control, integrated Blue&Me hands-free system and "Blue&Me TomTom" navigator. Work travels comfortably with Doblò Work Up.
NEW FIAT DUCATO EURO 5 – 30 YEARS IN THE MAKING
One of Europe's most popular commercial vehicles has just become even more attractive. After three decades and five generations, the new Fiat Ducato goes on sale in October 2011.
With an extended range of completely new engines, the latest Ducato is cheaper to run than the model it replaces. A new interior gives it a much more car-like cockpit while retaining the Ducato's trademark functionality. And with more versions than ever before, Fiat is offering the commercial vehicle buyer huge variety.
The three power outputs from the previous Ducato's three engines will be replaced by four outputs from two engine capacities on the new model. With a range of 110, 130, 148 and 177bhp engines, buyers have the opportunity to specify one that's exactly suited to their requirements.
Whichever engine they choose it'll benefit from Fiat's latest MultiJet technology and comply with strict Euro 5 emissions legislation. It's also more powerful than the engine it replaces and more economical, produces fewer CO2 emissions and has longer service intervals.
The new Ducato's upgraded interior employs the sort of high quality materials that up until now have been alien to the commercial vehicle sector. New seats mean it's comfier while a complete re-design of the dash makes it more stylish to look at.
With this new sense of panache comes improved practicality. The re-designed dashboard now has a slot to accommodate the Blue&Me TomTom LIVE satellite navigation unit. The integrated radio/CD and MP3 player not only looks smart but can accommodate the latest generation of Blue&Me. Vehicles specified with Blue&Me can also have eco:Drive Professional, a version of Fiat's award-winning eco:Drive Fleet. This lets drivers and fleet managers monitor how vehicles are being driven and alter habits accordingly to improve economy and lower costs.
There will be eight different capacities of van ranging from eight to 17 m3. But the Ducato isn't just a van. The various lengths and Gross Vehicle Weights of the chassis combined with the new engines give converters an enormous choice of base vehicle for anything from a minibus to a motorhome or even a flatbed truck.
When sales are combined with its stablemates from PSA, the Fiat Ducato was the best-selling commercial vehicle in its segment in Europe last year.
NEW ENGINES IMPROVE ECONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY
The latest Ducato benefits from a significant improvement in engine performance. The new power units make it cleaner, cheaper to run and more economical than the model it replaces. And the engines, which are all Euro 5 emissions compliant, offer a choice of four power outputs enabling buyers to choose the unit best suited to their budget and business.
Available with a capacity of either 2.3 or 3-litre, these engines use the latest generation of Fiat Powertrain Technology's MultiJet to achieve better economy and carbon dioxide emissions than their already impressive predecessors. But saving money at the pumps isn't their only benefit. They have longer service intervals so the vehicle spends more time on the road earning its keep and less time in the garage. They're also relatively light in weight enabling commercial vehicles to carry heavier loads without having an impact on overall tonnage.
All engines have four cylinders in line, with four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts. The 2.3-litre engines have the latest MultiJet II technology that employs faster injectors with a new servo valve and balanced shutter allowing them to operate at 1800 bar of pressure compared to the 1600 bar of the previous generation. These new injectors allow faster, more flexible and therefore precise injection strategies including Injection Rate Shaping where two consecutive injections come so close together that there is a continuous, modulated flow of fuel into the cylinders. This improves the combustion process, making it quieter with reduced particulate and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.
The previous Ducato's entry level 2.2-litre 100bhp engine is replaced by an 110bhp 2.3-litre. The new unit features an aluminium alloy cylinder head on a cast iron block and uses a fixed geometry turbocharger with an intercooler.
Compared to the engine it replaces, the 110bhp unit is 10 per cent more powerful, and with 300Nm, has 20 per cent more torque, yet is 10 per cent more economical and has 11 per cent less emissions. Perhaps more crucially for business users, the improved economy means the range between fuel stops has been increased while service intervals have also been lengthened from 25,000 to 30,000 miles. So the latest Ducato will spend more time on the road earning its keep, and less time stationary at the pumps or in the garage.
The 130bhp version of the 2.3-litre generates a healthy 320Nm of torque at just 1800rpm making it flexible in traffic and responsive even when the vehicle is heavily laden. Compared with its predecessor it has eight per cent more power, ensuring it’s relaxing for longer journeys, yet emissions and consumption are down by nine per cent.
The engine is characterised by details designed to make it as efficient as possible. The turbocharger's wastegate valve enables the gradual outflow of some exhaust gases at more than 2200rpm, optimising torque delivery throughout the rev range and making the vehicle easier to drive. The glow plugs are located inside the combustion chamber to reduce cranking and pre-heating time, and to limit the stress put on the engine when starting from cold in low external temperatures.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve helps reduce emissions sufficiently for the Ducato to meet strict Euro 5 legislation. The gases are cooled using a heat exchanger before being re-injected into the combustion chamber and the system is now electronically rather than pneumatically controlled for more accurate measurement.
The 150 MultiJet II version achieves its power boost courtesy of a variable geometry turbocharger. This makes the 2.3-litre engine a viable alternative to the previous generation 3-litre. Power is 148bhp and it's only six per cent lower than the much bigger engine, yet maximum torque is a healthy 350Nm at 1500rpm while consumption is reduced by 19 per cent, CO2 emissions by 20 per cent and weight by 40kg.
The most powerful engine in the Ducato range is the 3-litre 180 MultiJet Power unit. This appropriately named MultiJet Power engine achieves its maximum output of 177bhp at 3500rpm and is 13 per cent more powerful than the engine it replaces, making it the best-performing four-cylinder diesel engine in its class. It has the same 400Nm of torque as its predecessor but it's available from 1400rpm instead of 1700.
This high performance doesn't come at the expense of either economy or comfort. The early availability of maximum torque makes it a relaxed travelling companion no matter what weight it's carrying. And consumption is nine per cent better than the engine it replaces.
As with the Ducato's other engines, service intervals have been increased to 30,000 miles and the timing chain has been designed to last the life of the vehicle. Like the 2.3-litre, the glow plugs are located inside the combustion chamber and the engine has a cast iron block with integrated bearings and a dual-mass fly wheel that softens engine vibrations and greatly reduces noise.
Each engine is available with a six-speed manual gearbox while the 3-litre can be specified with the six-speed Comfort-Matic Manual Transmission Automated. This is a traditional manual transmission except there is no clutch pedal and the manual linkage to the gearbox is replaced by actuators controlled by a Transmission Control Unit. The shift is either performed automatically or the driver can use the gear lever to prompt changes by pulling backwards or pushing forwards.
CAR-LIKE QUALITY FOR THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER
Fiat has given the interior of the new Ducato a thorough overhaul. Understanding that for many owners the cockpit of a van is an office as well as a driving environment, its existing attributes of comfort and functionality have been improved during the makeover.
The dashboard design has the kind of car-like quality and style that’s never been seen before in a commercial vehicle. It features an integrated radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility as standard and glossy black surfaces surrounding it. These combine with chrome effect plastic that makes elements such as the air vents, gear stick and ventilation controls stand out.
The controls for the sound system are mounted high up on the dashboard so they can be easily reached by the driver and passengers and there are buttons on the steering wheel. The system features the Radio Data System (RDS), Traffic Announcements (TA), and PTY which allows the device to select a specific genre of music automatically. The volume adjusts according to speed, sound settings can be customised using one of seven equaliser bands, and the radio can store up to 30 stations.
Blue&Me TomTom LIVE
The sound system can be controlled hands free using the optional Blue&Me. It can also be connected to Bluetooth devices, an MP3 player and even a text reader. The intuitive Blue&Me user interface allows drivers to connect their mobile phones and MP3 players and control them and the sound system using either steering wheel or voice controls.
Usability is further improved thanks to new hardware. This enables better noise filtration and therefore voice reproduction, ensures full compatibility with Apple products, full playback of iTunes files and minimum indexing time so music will start immediately after connecting an iPod.
The upper central part of the dashboard has been redesigned to create space for the TomTom 'my port'. With this specified, Ducato owners can then order the Blue&Me TomTom LIVE satellite navigation system.
This is the result of a collaboration between Fiat and TomTom, Europe's leader in portable navigation devices. It's based on the popular TomTom Go1000 and sits in a purpose-built cradle that slots into the dashboard. This ensures the device is always fully charged when in the car but means it can also be removed for security reasons or for the driver to use it away from the vehicle.
The TomTom LIVE is controlled with a practical touch screen that allows the driver to use the satellite navigation, sound system and access traffic information which provides real-time updates on traffic jams and road closures.
eco:Drive Professional
Fiat's award-winning eco:Drive and its application for commercial vehicle drivers, eco:Drive Professional, are available on any vehicle fitted with Blue&Me and help drivers learn to use less fuel, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and saving up to 15 per cent in running costs.
Drivers download eco:Drive to their computer. Then plugging any USB stick into the Blue&Me port allows acceleration, deceleration, gearshift and speed information to be saved onto it automatically. When the USB is plugged back into a computer, eco:Drive converts the data into facts and figures such as mileage, CO2 emissions and money saved.
A development of this is eco:Drive Fleet which allows fleet managers to monitor all the data from the vehicles they supervise via an on-line dashboard. It automatically updates the database with management costs and the mileage count for maintenance intervals. As well as enabling fleet managers to reward efficient drivers, it allows them to see how well their fleet is performing according to an overall eco:Index.
Eco:Drive Professional builds on this further by allowing commercial vehicle drivers to enter various parameters such as the load they're carrying and the frontal area of the vehicle. The software allows the driver or fleet manager to analyse the impact of the load on the vehicle's efficiency and suggests the most appropriate behaviour to get the best economy.
New interior
In addition to this new technology, basic practicality remains one of the core attributes of the Ducato's cab. The glove box gets a new lid with a sturdier lock on it. There's a clipboard to stop those important bits of paper getting lost; the central compartment is big enough to store a lap top computer; and it can be locked with a key. The refrigerated compartment will hold a 1.5-litre bottle and the drinks holder can also be used to take a mobile phone or ashtray.
The door panels have been remodelled to bring them in line with the rest of the cabin but they retain the practical bottle holder, a place to store the optional Fix&Go tyre repair kit and the mid-height pockets for smaller easy-to-lose objects.
The oval instrument panel, now sitting beneath a more pronounced anti-glare hood, has been redesigned to make it even easier to read. And there's a Gear Shift Indicator available in combination with Start&Stop to tell drivers the most efficient point to change gear.
Driver comfort is a core feature of the new Ducato. Excellent noise insulation puts it top of the class for quietness thanks to the sort of refinement you'd expect in a medium category car, and a great deal of care has been taken over the seats. These are covered in a new red fabric, have a more luxurious head restraint and the driver's seat can be adjusted six ways, including up and down. Combined with an adjustable steering wheel and a movable arm rest, these allow drivers of all shapes and sizes to find a comfortable position at the wheel. Climate comfort is assured by manual or automatic air conditioning systems, an additional unit for the rear on passenger versions, all available as an option. In addition to these, a windscreen with reflective glass to keep the heat of the sun at bay is available as an option.
For passengers there's a choice of a standard two-seat bench featuring a central backrest that can be folded down to make a table if required, or an optional single seat. Both driver's and passenger's seats feature handy storage compartments beneath. And all front seats have seatbelts with pre-tensioners and a head restraint.
The full-size two-phase driver's airbag is standard; those at the side, over the windows and for passengers are an option. The ABS anti-lock braking is also standard and works in conjunction with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. This uses sensors to ensure the braking action is divided over all four wheels to prevent locking and guarantee maximum stopping power. The braking system employs discs all round, with those at the front ventilated for consistently high performance.
MORE VERSATILE THAN EVER
The Fiat Ducato has always been a byword for versatility and the new model is no different, with more versions than ever before now available. This diverse range means there will be around 2000 chassis/engine/mechanical variations which will allow for a huge range of vans, minibuses and conversions.
There are two basic mechanical architectures allowing Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) between three and four tonnes. On 15-inch wheels, the GVW is three, 3.3 or 3.5 tonnes, while on 16-inch wheels the GVW is 3.5 to four tonnes. The Ducato sits on MacPherson front suspension with a rigid-axle and leaf springs at the back. This ensures optimum stability, excellent use of the loading area and cab space, reduced weight and a huge variation of uses.
Payloads can vary between 1000 and 2000kg including the driver, and van buyers have a choice between four lengths, three wheelbases and three heights. Vans will also be available with eight different load area volumes fromeight to 17 m3.
There are three different sizes of robust and practical sliding side doors while the rear doors can be opened to either 90, 180 or even 270 degrees. Inside it remains class leading in terms of maximum volume (17 m3), width between the wheel arches (1422mm), maximum height of the loading area (2.17m), rear door height (2.03m), and load height limit (46cm with the optional self-levelling suspension).
Between the cab and load area the partition can be fully panelled and upholstered in sound-proofed material for extra refinement, or have a sliding glass window to enable communication between the two areas. In the back there are load hooks with fastening rings that fold into the floor and waist level side hooks. The walls of the load area are protected by thermoformed panels up to waist height.
The body structure of the new Ducato is hugely versatile. Not only does it permit a GVW of up to 4000kg, it also allows the track to be increased to 1980mm for motorhome applications. All models can have self-levelling pneumatic suspension. This is controlled via buttons on the dash and makes for easier loading and unloading, improves performance over ramps and makes clearing obstacles easier.
The conversion base range which includes cabs, flatbeds and double cabs will have four wheelbases and five lengths. Maximum permitted loads over the front axle will be up to 2100kg and 2400kg on the rear axle.
The Ducato isn't just versatile in the load area, and as the basis for a wide variety of vehicles it's also got a comprehensive range of optional extras including the Blue&Me TomTom LIVE satellite navigation. The 2.3-litre engines (110, 130 and 150) are additionally available with Start&Stop. When the Ducato comes to a halt and is put in neutral, the engine cuts. Releasing the brake or pushing the clutch re-starts it automatically. It's estimated this can reduce consumption by 15 per cent around town.
Traction+
Other options include the Traction+ system. This uses the engine's Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) computer to simulate the behaviour of a self-locking differential. When one of the driven front wheels spins on a slippery surface or over poor terrain, the brakes are applied to that wheel as simultaneously engine torque is transferred to the wheel with better grip.
The system is operated by a button on the dash, can be engaged at speeds of up to 19mph and ensures the best possible traction is maintained over the roughest terrain. And the combination of Traction+ with winter or all-season tyres gives Ducato owners the versatility to drive their vehicle over a wider range of terrains than rival commercial vehicles can cope with.
Traction+ includes ESP, which is also available as a stand-alone option. This important safety device uses information supplied by various sensors to check whether a vehicle is cornering safely or not. If the ESP computer believes the car is going to skid, it brakes the appropriate wheel or reduces engine power. However, ESP incorporates a host of other technologies. There is Load Adaptive Control (LAC) which identifies the size of the load and the vehicle's centre of gravity to enable the systems to work at peak effectiveness. Hill Holder makes starts on slopes easier by holding the brake on momentarily after the driver’s foot has released the pedal. Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) increases braking pressure under emergency conditions, while Motor Schleppmoment Regelung (MSR) ensures torque remains at the wheels following a sudden downshift on an incline.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL), which have the Ducato's parking lights turning on automatically with the ignition, will also be available as an option.
THREE DECADES OF SUCCESS
In 2011 the latest Fiat Ducato to be launched will incorporate the experience gained over 30 years of being at the cutting edge of van development. During that time, the Ducato has picked up international awards and sold more than 2.2 million examples worldwide. It's also seen service across a huge variety of business sectors, functioned as the basis for countless motorhomes and been transformed into specialist transportation such as minibuses, ambulances and insulated freezer vehicles.
Even when it was first launched in 1981 the Ducato was a practical and solid machine that majored on flexibility, reliability and economy. It was restyled in 1990 before the third generation was launched in 1994. To accommodate the varying demands of vastly different customers, this model had a family of 500 versions if you take chassis, size and tonnage into account. This innovation was warmly welcomed by customers and it was voted International Van of the Year 1994 as a consequence.
Rather than a radical reinvention, the fourth generation launched in 2002 used the looks and philosophy of its predecessor as a basis and built on those. Just four years later the fifth generation hit the streets and turned the van world on its head. It was more stylish, comfortable, practical and driveable than any van up until then. And it combined safety, reliability, economy and versatility as well ensuring the Ducato became one of the foundation stones for successful businesses all over Europe.
The Ducato is built in the Sevel plant in Val di Sangro between Atessa and Paglieta in the Italian province of Chieti. It's the largest commercial vehicle factory in Europe covering an area of more than 1.2 million square metres. The bodywork part of the plant creates 300 different types of chassis, paintwork uses around 120 colours, while the assembly line produces more than 6000 versions of commercial vehicle for both Fiat and PSA.
With an extended range of completely new engines, the latest Ducato is cheaper to run than the model it replaces. A new interior gives it a much more car-like cockpit while retaining the Ducato's trademark functionality. And with more versions than ever before, Fiat is offering the commercial vehicle buyer huge variety.
The three power outputs from the previous Ducato's three engines will be replaced by four outputs from two engine capacities on the new model. With a range of 110, 130, 148 and 177bhp engines, buyers have the opportunity to specify one that's exactly suited to their requirements.
Whichever engine they choose it'll benefit from Fiat's latest MultiJet technology and comply with strict Euro 5 emissions legislation. It's also more powerful than the engine it replaces and more economical, produces fewer CO2 emissions and has longer service intervals.
The new Ducato's upgraded interior employs the sort of high quality materials that up until now have been alien to the commercial vehicle sector. New seats mean it's comfier while a complete re-design of the dash makes it more stylish to look at.
With this new sense of panache comes improved practicality. The re-designed dashboard now has a slot to accommodate the Blue&Me TomTom LIVE satellite navigation unit. The integrated radio/CD and MP3 player not only looks smart but can accommodate the latest generation of Blue&Me. Vehicles specified with Blue&Me can also have eco:Drive Professional, a version of Fiat's award-winning eco:Drive Fleet. This lets drivers and fleet managers monitor how vehicles are being driven and alter habits accordingly to improve economy and lower costs.
There will be eight different capacities of van ranging from eight to 17 m3. But the Ducato isn't just a van. The various lengths and Gross Vehicle Weights of the chassis combined with the new engines give converters an enormous choice of base vehicle for anything from a minibus to a motorhome or even a flatbed truck.
When sales are combined with its stablemates from PSA, the Fiat Ducato was the best-selling commercial vehicle in its segment in Europe last year.
NEW ENGINES IMPROVE ECONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY
The latest Ducato benefits from a significant improvement in engine performance. The new power units make it cleaner, cheaper to run and more economical than the model it replaces. And the engines, which are all Euro 5 emissions compliant, offer a choice of four power outputs enabling buyers to choose the unit best suited to their budget and business.
Available with a capacity of either 2.3 or 3-litre, these engines use the latest generation of Fiat Powertrain Technology's MultiJet to achieve better economy and carbon dioxide emissions than their already impressive predecessors. But saving money at the pumps isn't their only benefit. They have longer service intervals so the vehicle spends more time on the road earning its keep and less time in the garage. They're also relatively light in weight enabling commercial vehicles to carry heavier loads without having an impact on overall tonnage.
All engines have four cylinders in line, with four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshafts. The 2.3-litre engines have the latest MultiJet II technology that employs faster injectors with a new servo valve and balanced shutter allowing them to operate at 1800 bar of pressure compared to the 1600 bar of the previous generation. These new injectors allow faster, more flexible and therefore precise injection strategies including Injection Rate Shaping where two consecutive injections come so close together that there is a continuous, modulated flow of fuel into the cylinders. This improves the combustion process, making it quieter with reduced particulate and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions.
The previous Ducato's entry level 2.2-litre 100bhp engine is replaced by an 110bhp 2.3-litre. The new unit features an aluminium alloy cylinder head on a cast iron block and uses a fixed geometry turbocharger with an intercooler.
Compared to the engine it replaces, the 110bhp unit is 10 per cent more powerful, and with 300Nm, has 20 per cent more torque, yet is 10 per cent more economical and has 11 per cent less emissions. Perhaps more crucially for business users, the improved economy means the range between fuel stops has been increased while service intervals have also been lengthened from 25,000 to 30,000 miles. So the latest Ducato will spend more time on the road earning its keep, and less time stationary at the pumps or in the garage.
The 130bhp version of the 2.3-litre generates a healthy 320Nm of torque at just 1800rpm making it flexible in traffic and responsive even when the vehicle is heavily laden. Compared with its predecessor it has eight per cent more power, ensuring it’s relaxing for longer journeys, yet emissions and consumption are down by nine per cent.
The engine is characterised by details designed to make it as efficient as possible. The turbocharger's wastegate valve enables the gradual outflow of some exhaust gases at more than 2200rpm, optimising torque delivery throughout the rev range and making the vehicle easier to drive. The glow plugs are located inside the combustion chamber to reduce cranking and pre-heating time, and to limit the stress put on the engine when starting from cold in low external temperatures.
The Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve helps reduce emissions sufficiently for the Ducato to meet strict Euro 5 legislation. The gases are cooled using a heat exchanger before being re-injected into the combustion chamber and the system is now electronically rather than pneumatically controlled for more accurate measurement.
The 150 MultiJet II version achieves its power boost courtesy of a variable geometry turbocharger. This makes the 2.3-litre engine a viable alternative to the previous generation 3-litre. Power is 148bhp and it's only six per cent lower than the much bigger engine, yet maximum torque is a healthy 350Nm at 1500rpm while consumption is reduced by 19 per cent, CO2 emissions by 20 per cent and weight by 40kg.
The most powerful engine in the Ducato range is the 3-litre 180 MultiJet Power unit. This appropriately named MultiJet Power engine achieves its maximum output of 177bhp at 3500rpm and is 13 per cent more powerful than the engine it replaces, making it the best-performing four-cylinder diesel engine in its class. It has the same 400Nm of torque as its predecessor but it's available from 1400rpm instead of 1700.
This high performance doesn't come at the expense of either economy or comfort. The early availability of maximum torque makes it a relaxed travelling companion no matter what weight it's carrying. And consumption is nine per cent better than the engine it replaces.
As with the Ducato's other engines, service intervals have been increased to 30,000 miles and the timing chain has been designed to last the life of the vehicle. Like the 2.3-litre, the glow plugs are located inside the combustion chamber and the engine has a cast iron block with integrated bearings and a dual-mass fly wheel that softens engine vibrations and greatly reduces noise.
Each engine is available with a six-speed manual gearbox while the 3-litre can be specified with the six-speed Comfort-Matic Manual Transmission Automated. This is a traditional manual transmission except there is no clutch pedal and the manual linkage to the gearbox is replaced by actuators controlled by a Transmission Control Unit. The shift is either performed automatically or the driver can use the gear lever to prompt changes by pulling backwards or pushing forwards.
CAR-LIKE QUALITY FOR THE COMMERCIAL DRIVER
Fiat has given the interior of the new Ducato a thorough overhaul. Understanding that for many owners the cockpit of a van is an office as well as a driving environment, its existing attributes of comfort and functionality have been improved during the makeover.
The dashboard design has the kind of car-like quality and style that’s never been seen before in a commercial vehicle. It features an integrated radio/CD player with MP3 compatibility as standard and glossy black surfaces surrounding it. These combine with chrome effect plastic that makes elements such as the air vents, gear stick and ventilation controls stand out.
The controls for the sound system are mounted high up on the dashboard so they can be easily reached by the driver and passengers and there are buttons on the steering wheel. The system features the Radio Data System (RDS), Traffic Announcements (TA), and PTY which allows the device to select a specific genre of music automatically. The volume adjusts according to speed, sound settings can be customised using one of seven equaliser bands, and the radio can store up to 30 stations.
Blue&Me TomTom LIVE
The sound system can be controlled hands free using the optional Blue&Me. It can also be connected to Bluetooth devices, an MP3 player and even a text reader. The intuitive Blue&Me user interface allows drivers to connect their mobile phones and MP3 players and control them and the sound system using either steering wheel or voice controls.
Usability is further improved thanks to new hardware. This enables better noise filtration and therefore voice reproduction, ensures full compatibility with Apple products, full playback of iTunes files and minimum indexing time so music will start immediately after connecting an iPod.
The upper central part of the dashboard has been redesigned to create space for the TomTom 'my port'. With this specified, Ducato owners can then order the Blue&Me TomTom LIVE satellite navigation system.
This is the result of a collaboration between Fiat and TomTom, Europe's leader in portable navigation devices. It's based on the popular TomTom Go1000 and sits in a purpose-built cradle that slots into the dashboard. This ensures the device is always fully charged when in the car but means it can also be removed for security reasons or for the driver to use it away from the vehicle.
The TomTom LIVE is controlled with a practical touch screen that allows the driver to use the satellite navigation, sound system and access traffic information which provides real-time updates on traffic jams and road closures.
eco:Drive Professional
Fiat's award-winning eco:Drive and its application for commercial vehicle drivers, eco:Drive Professional, are available on any vehicle fitted with Blue&Me and help drivers learn to use less fuel, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and saving up to 15 per cent in running costs.
Drivers download eco:Drive to their computer. Then plugging any USB stick into the Blue&Me port allows acceleration, deceleration, gearshift and speed information to be saved onto it automatically. When the USB is plugged back into a computer, eco:Drive converts the data into facts and figures such as mileage, CO2 emissions and money saved.
A development of this is eco:Drive Fleet which allows fleet managers to monitor all the data from the vehicles they supervise via an on-line dashboard. It automatically updates the database with management costs and the mileage count for maintenance intervals. As well as enabling fleet managers to reward efficient drivers, it allows them to see how well their fleet is performing according to an overall eco:Index.
Eco:Drive Professional builds on this further by allowing commercial vehicle drivers to enter various parameters such as the load they're carrying and the frontal area of the vehicle. The software allows the driver or fleet manager to analyse the impact of the load on the vehicle's efficiency and suggests the most appropriate behaviour to get the best economy.
New interior
In addition to this new technology, basic practicality remains one of the core attributes of the Ducato's cab. The glove box gets a new lid with a sturdier lock on it. There's a clipboard to stop those important bits of paper getting lost; the central compartment is big enough to store a lap top computer; and it can be locked with a key. The refrigerated compartment will hold a 1.5-litre bottle and the drinks holder can also be used to take a mobile phone or ashtray.
The door panels have been remodelled to bring them in line with the rest of the cabin but they retain the practical bottle holder, a place to store the optional Fix&Go tyre repair kit and the mid-height pockets for smaller easy-to-lose objects.
The oval instrument panel, now sitting beneath a more pronounced anti-glare hood, has been redesigned to make it even easier to read. And there's a Gear Shift Indicator available in combination with Start&Stop to tell drivers the most efficient point to change gear.
Driver comfort is a core feature of the new Ducato. Excellent noise insulation puts it top of the class for quietness thanks to the sort of refinement you'd expect in a medium category car, and a great deal of care has been taken over the seats. These are covered in a new red fabric, have a more luxurious head restraint and the driver's seat can be adjusted six ways, including up and down. Combined with an adjustable steering wheel and a movable arm rest, these allow drivers of all shapes and sizes to find a comfortable position at the wheel. Climate comfort is assured by manual or automatic air conditioning systems, an additional unit for the rear on passenger versions, all available as an option. In addition to these, a windscreen with reflective glass to keep the heat of the sun at bay is available as an option.
For passengers there's a choice of a standard two-seat bench featuring a central backrest that can be folded down to make a table if required, or an optional single seat. Both driver's and passenger's seats feature handy storage compartments beneath. And all front seats have seatbelts with pre-tensioners and a head restraint.
The full-size two-phase driver's airbag is standard; those at the side, over the windows and for passengers are an option. The ABS anti-lock braking is also standard and works in conjunction with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. This uses sensors to ensure the braking action is divided over all four wheels to prevent locking and guarantee maximum stopping power. The braking system employs discs all round, with those at the front ventilated for consistently high performance.
MORE VERSATILE THAN EVER
The Fiat Ducato has always been a byword for versatility and the new model is no different, with more versions than ever before now available. This diverse range means there will be around 2000 chassis/engine/mechanical variations which will allow for a huge range of vans, minibuses and conversions.
There are two basic mechanical architectures allowing Gross Vehicle Weights (GVW) between three and four tonnes. On 15-inch wheels, the GVW is three, 3.3 or 3.5 tonnes, while on 16-inch wheels the GVW is 3.5 to four tonnes. The Ducato sits on MacPherson front suspension with a rigid-axle and leaf springs at the back. This ensures optimum stability, excellent use of the loading area and cab space, reduced weight and a huge variation of uses.
Payloads can vary between 1000 and 2000kg including the driver, and van buyers have a choice between four lengths, three wheelbases and three heights. Vans will also be available with eight different load area volumes fromeight to 17 m3.
There are three different sizes of robust and practical sliding side doors while the rear doors can be opened to either 90, 180 or even 270 degrees. Inside it remains class leading in terms of maximum volume (17 m3), width between the wheel arches (1422mm), maximum height of the loading area (2.17m), rear door height (2.03m), and load height limit (46cm with the optional self-levelling suspension).
Between the cab and load area the partition can be fully panelled and upholstered in sound-proofed material for extra refinement, or have a sliding glass window to enable communication between the two areas. In the back there are load hooks with fastening rings that fold into the floor and waist level side hooks. The walls of the load area are protected by thermoformed panels up to waist height.
The body structure of the new Ducato is hugely versatile. Not only does it permit a GVW of up to 4000kg, it also allows the track to be increased to 1980mm for motorhome applications. All models can have self-levelling pneumatic suspension. This is controlled via buttons on the dash and makes for easier loading and unloading, improves performance over ramps and makes clearing obstacles easier.
The conversion base range which includes cabs, flatbeds and double cabs will have four wheelbases and five lengths. Maximum permitted loads over the front axle will be up to 2100kg and 2400kg on the rear axle.
The Ducato isn't just versatile in the load area, and as the basis for a wide variety of vehicles it's also got a comprehensive range of optional extras including the Blue&Me TomTom LIVE satellite navigation. The 2.3-litre engines (110, 130 and 150) are additionally available with Start&Stop. When the Ducato comes to a halt and is put in neutral, the engine cuts. Releasing the brake or pushing the clutch re-starts it automatically. It's estimated this can reduce consumption by 15 per cent around town.
Traction+
Other options include the Traction+ system. This uses the engine's Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) computer to simulate the behaviour of a self-locking differential. When one of the driven front wheels spins on a slippery surface or over poor terrain, the brakes are applied to that wheel as simultaneously engine torque is transferred to the wheel with better grip.
The system is operated by a button on the dash, can be engaged at speeds of up to 19mph and ensures the best possible traction is maintained over the roughest terrain. And the combination of Traction+ with winter or all-season tyres gives Ducato owners the versatility to drive their vehicle over a wider range of terrains than rival commercial vehicles can cope with.
Traction+ includes ESP, which is also available as a stand-alone option. This important safety device uses information supplied by various sensors to check whether a vehicle is cornering safely or not. If the ESP computer believes the car is going to skid, it brakes the appropriate wheel or reduces engine power. However, ESP incorporates a host of other technologies. There is Load Adaptive Control (LAC) which identifies the size of the load and the vehicle's centre of gravity to enable the systems to work at peak effectiveness. Hill Holder makes starts on slopes easier by holding the brake on momentarily after the driver’s foot has released the pedal. Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) increases braking pressure under emergency conditions, while Motor Schleppmoment Regelung (MSR) ensures torque remains at the wheels following a sudden downshift on an incline.
Daytime Running Lights (DRL), which have the Ducato's parking lights turning on automatically with the ignition, will also be available as an option.
THREE DECADES OF SUCCESS
In 2011 the latest Fiat Ducato to be launched will incorporate the experience gained over 30 years of being at the cutting edge of van development. During that time, the Ducato has picked up international awards and sold more than 2.2 million examples worldwide. It's also seen service across a huge variety of business sectors, functioned as the basis for countless motorhomes and been transformed into specialist transportation such as minibuses, ambulances and insulated freezer vehicles.
Even when it was first launched in 1981 the Ducato was a practical and solid machine that majored on flexibility, reliability and economy. It was restyled in 1990 before the third generation was launched in 1994. To accommodate the varying demands of vastly different customers, this model had a family of 500 versions if you take chassis, size and tonnage into account. This innovation was warmly welcomed by customers and it was voted International Van of the Year 1994 as a consequence.
Rather than a radical reinvention, the fourth generation launched in 2002 used the looks and philosophy of its predecessor as a basis and built on those. Just four years later the fifth generation hit the streets and turned the van world on its head. It was more stylish, comfortable, practical and driveable than any van up until then. And it combined safety, reliability, economy and versatility as well ensuring the Ducato became one of the foundation stones for successful businesses all over Europe.
The Ducato is built in the Sevel plant in Val di Sangro between Atessa and Paglieta in the Italian province of Chieti. It's the largest commercial vehicle factory in Europe covering an area of more than 1.2 million square metres. The bodywork part of the plant creates 300 different types of chassis, paintwork uses around 120 colours, while the assembly line produces more than 6000 versions of commercial vehicle for both Fiat and PSA.
Friday, 16 September 2011
New Fiat Panda Makes International Public Debut
The new arrival, which will go on sale in UK next spring, is a consistent evolution of a highly successful city car that has always been a by-word for functional design, manoeuvrability, space, reliability and comfort.
While still remaining true to its compact design brief, new Panda has ‘grown’ by just a few centimetres to ensure the attainment of the highest safety standards, and improve the generous level of passenger and luggage space still further. With an overall length of 365cm, width of 164cm and height of 155cm, new Panda can comfortably accommodate up to five people and is equipped with one of the largest luggage compartments in its segment.
Panda was the first car in its market segment (A), to win the prestigious Car of the Year award (in 2004). It was the first compact (less than four metres in length) to feature a diesel engine (1986), and it was the first to offer both four-wheel drive (1983) and a range of eco-friendly engines designed to limit fuel consumption. (Panda Elettra, introduced in 1990, was one of the first electric cars).
Now in its third generation, new Panda has taken another major step forward in terms of comfort, technology and safety equipment, making its first public appearance with a modern and harmonious new style, but without relinquishing the essential family feeling that has so characterised the marque over the years.
An all-new flexible interior and an elegant new exterior featuring softer, rounded shapes bring new Panda sharply into focus as an engineering project which from the outset was dedicated to improve an already successful model. Construction quality and vehicle reliability have been optimised, and while its exterior dimensions are an invaluable feature for a car principally intended for urban use, it is easily capable of tackling longer and tougher journeys.
The new engine range emphasises new Panda’s cutting edge technology. Customers will be able to choose from two TwinAir twin cylinder engines: the International Engine of the Year 2011 85bhp TwinAir Turbo, or the brand new 65bhp naturally aspirated TwinAir, both equipped with Start and Stop as standard. The recently revised four cylinder 69bhp 1.2 litre Fire engine completes the petrol engine range at launch, but a state-of-the-art turbodiesel 75bhp 1.3 litre MultiJet 2 engine, also with Start and Stop as standard, will also be offered. In harmony with its eco-friendly spirit, new Panda also offers a Gearshift Indicator, which helps drivers use the engine more efficiently, and thus reduce fuel consumption.
At launch, the new Panda will be front-wheel drive only, but a four-wheel drive version is planned. Safety has been a priority in the new design, and new Panda has four airbags, ABS anti-lock braking with a brake assist system, front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, Isofix attachments for child seats, anti-whiplash front head restraints, rear headrests, and Daytime Running Lights – all as standard.
In addition, new Panda has been engineered to accept Blue&Me-TomTom LIVE, a device that combines the advantages of an infotainment system which is integrated and connected with those of a portable navigator, opening the doors to connectivity. The system allows new Panda customers to use mobile phones and media players in complete safety, without ever removing their hands from the steering wheel, while providing a unique and distinctive navigational experience, built into the dashboard, and offering the most accurate traffic information updated in real time.
Fiat 500 By Gucci - Strips Off
Customised by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini in collaboration with Centro Stile Fiat, the car will be distributed worldwide, and from this month will be available to order both online at fiat.co.uk and in selected Fiat UK dealers. Prices start at £17,800 OTR.
All the exclusivity of the Fiat 500byGucci is enhanced by the innovative electrically operated full length soft top in this new version. It will be available in two sophisticated body colours: white with glitter and brushed chrome-plated elements, and black with glitter and shiny chrome-plated accents. For both, the soft top is black with the characteristic green-red-green Gucci web pattern printed lengthwise.
The exterior of the Fiat 500CbyGucci is embellished by 16” alloy wheels characterised by the unmistakable retro design of the spokes. The hub caps have a double G logo in matching body colour, and Gucci signatures in italics are displayed on the tailgate and door pillars.
The passenger compartment of the Fiat 500CbyGucci also brims with eye-catching features: stylish stitching, exclusive materials, satin and polished chrome-plated elements, a velvet-effect finish on the radio panel, and two-tone Frau leather seats with Guccissima print. The Gucci web theme also appears on the seats, gearbox, key cover, mats, and, with an innovative finish, on the seat belts.
Fiat 500CbyGucci will of course come complete with comprehensive standard equipment: automatic climate control system, seven airbags (front, side, window and knee), Blue&Me system integrated with rear parking sensors, car radio with CD-MP3 player and leather steering wheel with radio controls.
The selected Fiat dealerships that will be displaying the Fiat 500byGucci range will receive copies of an exclusive lifestyle brochure created as a fashion catalogue and designed to bring out the unique, one-of-a-kind nature of this extraordinary interpretation of the glamorous world of the Fiat 500.
Thursday, 28 July 2011
The 500 is heading to China with the exclusive “First Edition”: 100 numbered vehicles created by Chinese artists
The “First Edition” precedes the official Chinese launch of the 500, set to take place on 15 September this year. Everyone who orders a 500 before the launch will be entered in a prize draw: the winners will have the option of replacing the car they have ordered with a “First Edition”.
The 500 “First Edition” is conceived as a symbol which unites two cultures - Italian and Chinese - through a creative interpretation of the relationship between the two countries, by five young Chinese artists.
The first designer is LeiLei, an avant-garde artist who has won many important awards in China and in other countries. His work features extensive use of elements from national popular culture. The second young designer is Mee Wong, an illustrator and teacher at the Guangzhou Art Institute. Her favourite creative element is the panda, the animal which symbolises Chinese culture. Asian tradition is again the inspiration for the third artist, Benny Luk, a multi-award-winning designer of international fame, who combines graphic and web design. Next is Nod Young, a visual artist with a unique style whose artwork has been exhibited in many countries, including the UK, Germany, the USA, Italy, South Africa and China. Drawing and illustration master Yan Wei completes the lineup. She employs traditional Chinese patterns and her works have been displayed in some of the most famous art galleries of Shanghai, Beijing, New York and Tokyo.
Designed on the basis of the 500 Lounge, the “First Edition” is distinguished by its three-coat pearlescent white body, red leather interior and a unique identification badge displayed on the door pillar. Under the bonnet, a 1.4 litre MultiAir petrol engine, winner of Best New Engine at the prestigious “International Engine of the Year Awards 2010”. Combined with an automatic six-speed transmission, the innovative engine delivers a top power of 101 HP (75 kW) at 6500 rpm and a torque of 133 Nm at 4000 rpm.
As well as the 100 “First Edition” vehicles, the 500 in China will be available in a wide range of versions and special series; next year will see the launch of the 500C and the exclusive special series, “500 by Gucci”. “By the end of 2012, the new saloon version will be produced entirely in China at the Changsha factory along with our partner GAC” Lorenzo Sistino, Executive Vice President International Operations of Fiat Group Automobiles recently announced.
Fiat Panda: 2,000,000 units produced in the Fiat Auto Poland factory
Launched in 2003 and marketed in 76 countries worldwide - from Italy to Russia, Mexico and Japan - the second series of the Fiat Panda is more than a city-car. It is a genuine "platform" on which Fiat Automobiles has created an entire family of cars with the technology and attention to detail of a higher category. This gave us the undisputed and growing leadership in its market segment. In the first six months of 2011, the Fiat Panda was the car with the highest sales in segment A both in Italy, with a 35.3% percent share, and in Europe (EU 27+EFTA), with a 16.6% percent share during the period January - May. Note that almost half of the Pandas produced were sold abroad as proof of how much the model is appreciated around the world. This market success was also confirmed by its numerous awards, including the prestigious title of Car of the Year 2004.
Recently upgraded, the Fiat Panda range includes engines (petrol and diesel) with Euro 5 type-approval. In addition, the customer can choose between different versions (Active, MyLife and Dynamic).
Operative since October 1992, the Fiat Auto Poland factory in Tychy has to date produced 6.2 million vehicles. It is one of the most modern plants in the worldwide automotive industry as also proven by the "World Class Manufacturing" Silver Level certificate. So it is not by chance that the Fiat Panda achieved first place in the city car category in the reliability league table published by ADAC (German Automobile Club).
The prestigious target of Tychy marks a further step in the long history of a model that last year celebrated its thirtieth anniversary and more than six million models sold the world over. For that matter, the "Panda" model is part of Fiat's heritage, which represented a new and unmistakable way of seeing the everyday relationship with the car in automotive history and Italian society: more immediate, more natural, easier. That's why, over time, the Panda has become almost a brand, with strong emotional value, to which Italian and European drivers are always profoundly attached.
500 wins the 12th edition of the 'Compasso d'Oro' ADI award
Established in 1954 and held every three years, the Compasso d'Oro resulted from an idea of Gio Ponti and for years was organised by the Rinascente department store to highlight the value and quality of Italian design products as the sector was in its early stages. It was later given to ADI (Associazione per il Disegno Industriale - Industrial Design Association), which since 1964 handles its organisation and supervises its impartiality and integrity.
The almost 300 award-winning projects from more than 50 years of the award's history, together with the almost 2000 selected with Honourable Mention, are gathered and preserved in the Historical Collection of the “Compasso d’Oro ADI” award, which since 2001 has been entrusted to the ADI Foundation. In 2004 the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage declared the collection "of exceptional artistic and historic interest", and as a result included it among the national heritage.
With this prestigious acknowledgement, the Fiat 500 continues to capture attention and confirms its standing as representing the best of Made in Italy because it masterfully combines an innovative and original design with the most advanced technology in the field of engines, safety and on-board comfort.
Additionally, with the prestigious 5-star EuroNCAP and 40 awards it has won internationally to date, the new car has proven that it is not merely a super-compact city car, but an authentic platform upon which Fiat Automobiles is building a whole family of cars with technology and attention to detail worthy of a higher category.
Now at its 12th edition, it is the second time that the “Compasso d’Oro ADI” award has been given to a Fiat model. In 2004 it was the new Fiat Panda that won the coveted recognition, proof that both models - heirs of two icons of the international automotive industry - express the very best of Italy's manufacturing capabilities combined with a design that has often anticipated future trends in the world of automobiles.
Until 25 September 2011, at the Pelanda Museo Macro del Testaccio, the public will have the chance to admire all of the products that took part in the competition and those published in the 2008-2010 triennial in the ADI Design Index yearbook. The yearbook is the award's preselection, totalling nearly 400 new design objects. Also on display until 25 September at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni is the historic "Compasso d'Oro" exhibit, with 300 award-winning products from 1954 until today in the various editions of the award. Both exhibits are part of the activities organised to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Italian Unification.
Thursday, 7 July 2011
Fiat 500 By Gucci
Hit the road in true Italian style. Introducing the Fiat 500byGucci, the special edition Fiat 500 customised by Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini, in a collaboration with Fiat’s Centro Stile. Available in shimmering black or white with custom Gucci features, this exciting new icon of Italian design is available at our Hassocks dealership now.
Gucci's iconic detailing is in abundance outside and in, with the signature red-green stripe running along the entire exterior and continuing inside on the seats and seatbelts. Step inside and you'll see contrasting ivory and black interiors with bi-colour steering wheel and two-tone leather seats sporting the unmistakeable ‘Guccissima' print.
The Gucci touches are everywhere. The colour co-ordinated alloys feature the interlocking GG and as the final flourish, the cursive Gucci signature
appears on the rear and side door.
Gucci's iconic detailing is in abundance outside and in, with the signature red-green stripe running along the entire exterior and continuing inside on the seats and seatbelts. Step inside and you'll see contrasting ivory and black interiors with bi-colour steering wheel and two-tone leather seats sporting the unmistakeable ‘Guccissima' print.
The Gucci touches are everywhere. The colour co-ordinated alloys feature the interlocking GG and as the final flourish, the cursive Gucci signature
appears on the rear and side door.
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Fiat 500 TwinAir Range - AIRFORCE TWO
Fiat's answer to combating emissions and fuel consumption is smart, small, perfectly formed and available now to test drive at PDH Cars. Andy Enright takes a look.
With an innovative two-cylinder engine, Fiat's 500 TwinAir slashes carbon dioxide emissions to just 95g/km and fuel economy is rated at a heady 69mpg. This two cylinder engine claims to be the cleanest petrol powerplant in the world. Best of all, you still get a relatively punchy 85bhp and the 500's cheeky styling. We're constantly being pressurised to tighten the purse strings but Fiat proves it needn't be too onerous.
It's fair to say that the Fiat 500 TwinAir offers an ingenious solution to a very simple remit. Lowering running costs, consuming less fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide is a formula that manufacturers of small cars have been working to for years now, but the gains have often been marginal, mere incremental improvements that pick at the easy wins and do little to push vehicle engineering on. Fiat sees things differently. With the innovative TwinAir engine, the Italian company contends that not only can you enjoy low cost, clean motoring, but that you needn't do it in a car that relies on battery packs or which would struggle to show a bike courier a clean pair of tailpipes.
As in all the best shampoo commercials, this is the science bit. Forget ProRetinol B5 and never mind the Boswelox, the Fiat 500 TwinAir features something a whole lot cleverer. In the past, engine designers have concentrated on optimising the fuelling of an engine, such that we've moved from carburettors to electronic fuel injection and then to common rail architecture and direct injection. The other half of the combustion equation, the management of air into the engine has attracted less attention. The 875cc 85bhp TwinAir uses the same technology pioneered on Fiat's MultiAir engines, replacing the camshafts of a four-valves-per-cylinder engine with electro-hydraulic control of the inlet valves, allowing the engine to breathe more efficiently.
On the road, the 500 TwinAir feels brisk enough, getting to 60mph in under 11s and on to 107mph. Push the two cylinder engine hard and it gets rather vocal, but around town refinement is more than acceptable. Two driving modes are offered – Standard and Eco. In Eco, torque is restricted from the normal peak of 145Nm to 100Nm and the steering lightens up, which makes low-speed manoeuvring even easier. There is a noticeable change in engine note at 2500rpm, the powerplant clearly working harder as the TwinAir system does its thing.
"Fiat's 500 TwinAir is a big step forward in the evolution of the city car…."
The interior of the 500 TwinAir offers the same beautifully pared-back look and feel of other 500 models, with little to remind you that this 500 is something a little out of the ordinary. The dashboard at first seems to have prioritised style over substance, but like all good designs, it gets the job done without any undue excess. The rear seats are relatively token, but the boot offers enough space for the weekly shop. Given that the 500 TwinAir will be largely used as a city scoot and often as a second, or even third car its diminutive dimensions will more often than not be a plus than a minus.
The build quality feels decent with surprisingly sturdy controls. Any doubts about the mechanical integrity of the complex TwinAir engineering should be laid to rest by the fact that it uses a similar technology to Honda's impeccably reliable VTEC system, insofar as it uses engine oil as hydraulic fluid in a rugged and elegant solution that's not overly expensive to build.
Unlike many rivals, which offer just one 'green' model in their line up, usually accompanied by poverty-spec wheel trims and basic trim, Fiat has decided to spread the good news and offers the MultiAir engine across the full gamut of trim levels. There's even a new sky blue colour, Volare, which debuts on the TwinAir. You’re looking at a premium of around £1,200 to have a 0.9-litre 85bhp 500 TwinAir over the conventional entry-level 69bhp 1.2-litre model. And that means pricing for mainstream models mainly in the £11,000-£15,000 bracket. There is however, a large £3,000 premium if you want the 500C model with its retractable open-top.
Equipment levels very much depend on trim levels, so broad is the range. As well as special edition models, the line up encompasses Sport and Lounge variants, as well as the 500C convertible bodystyle. There's also the option of the Dualogic robotised manual gearbox which allows for clutchless gearchanges just by nudging the gearstick up and down a sequential 'box. Seven airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution help the 500 to a EuroNCAP five-star rating. Fiat offers the optional Blue&Me infotainment system, which features wheel-mounted and voice-activated control for the stereo, as well as logging your driving style for peak efficiency. A Blue&Me Tom Tom touchscreen system integrates navigation and phone functions in a neat, removable package.
It's hard to argue with the bald facts. Compared to the best-selling conventional 1.2-litre petrol engine in Fiat's 500 range, the TwinAir offers 23% more power and yet delivers a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Yes, Fiat charge you for that privilege, but the asking price isn't exorbitant and in some cases the additional costs could be recouped very quickly. As well as incurring zero road tax costs due to its 95g/km emissions, the 500 TwinAir is also exempt from London congestion charge fees. It's probably not the sort of car we'd recommend to those covering higher mileages but it works extremely effectively in traffic, its Start&Stop system making queuing a curiously serene experience. A combined fuel economy figure of 69mpg won't be seen in the urban sprawl and crawl but you should still see a number around the high forties.
Residual values of 500 models in general have held up very well and the TwinAir looks set to be the engine that sparks the highest demand, combining as it does the running costs of a diesel with the perkiness of a petrol. Working smarter rather than harder is something we can all buy into and Fiat's 500 TwinAir is a big step forward in the evolution of the city car. Although the technology might appear impenetrable, the end result of more power, lower fuel bills and lower emissions isn't hard to digest.
Coupling this ingenious engineering to a package that's as appealing as the Fiat 500 results in one that can't really fail. We've heard promises of these 'cake and eat it' solutions so often that we can be excused for being more than a little sceptical, but here's one that delivers on its claims.
Although we'd recommend the bigger 100bhp 1.4-litre engine if you're set on covering larger mileages, the dinky TwinAir powerplant covers all the bases for city driving. Making economies often means going without some of the things that put a smile on your face. Here's one budgetary measure that bucks that trend.
© 2011 Car & Driving
With an innovative two-cylinder engine, Fiat's 500 TwinAir slashes carbon dioxide emissions to just 95g/km and fuel economy is rated at a heady 69mpg. This two cylinder engine claims to be the cleanest petrol powerplant in the world. Best of all, you still get a relatively punchy 85bhp and the 500's cheeky styling. We're constantly being pressurised to tighten the purse strings but Fiat proves it needn't be too onerous.
It's fair to say that the Fiat 500 TwinAir offers an ingenious solution to a very simple remit. Lowering running costs, consuming less fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide is a formula that manufacturers of small cars have been working to for years now, but the gains have often been marginal, mere incremental improvements that pick at the easy wins and do little to push vehicle engineering on. Fiat sees things differently. With the innovative TwinAir engine, the Italian company contends that not only can you enjoy low cost, clean motoring, but that you needn't do it in a car that relies on battery packs or which would struggle to show a bike courier a clean pair of tailpipes.
As in all the best shampoo commercials, this is the science bit. Forget ProRetinol B5 and never mind the Boswelox, the Fiat 500 TwinAir features something a whole lot cleverer. In the past, engine designers have concentrated on optimising the fuelling of an engine, such that we've moved from carburettors to electronic fuel injection and then to common rail architecture and direct injection. The other half of the combustion equation, the management of air into the engine has attracted less attention. The 875cc 85bhp TwinAir uses the same technology pioneered on Fiat's MultiAir engines, replacing the camshafts of a four-valves-per-cylinder engine with electro-hydraulic control of the inlet valves, allowing the engine to breathe more efficiently.
On the road, the 500 TwinAir feels brisk enough, getting to 60mph in under 11s and on to 107mph. Push the two cylinder engine hard and it gets rather vocal, but around town refinement is more than acceptable. Two driving modes are offered – Standard and Eco. In Eco, torque is restricted from the normal peak of 145Nm to 100Nm and the steering lightens up, which makes low-speed manoeuvring even easier. There is a noticeable change in engine note at 2500rpm, the powerplant clearly working harder as the TwinAir system does its thing.
"Fiat's 500 TwinAir is a big step forward in the evolution of the city car…."
The interior of the 500 TwinAir offers the same beautifully pared-back look and feel of other 500 models, with little to remind you that this 500 is something a little out of the ordinary. The dashboard at first seems to have prioritised style over substance, but like all good designs, it gets the job done without any undue excess. The rear seats are relatively token, but the boot offers enough space for the weekly shop. Given that the 500 TwinAir will be largely used as a city scoot and often as a second, or even third car its diminutive dimensions will more often than not be a plus than a minus.
The build quality feels decent with surprisingly sturdy controls. Any doubts about the mechanical integrity of the complex TwinAir engineering should be laid to rest by the fact that it uses a similar technology to Honda's impeccably reliable VTEC system, insofar as it uses engine oil as hydraulic fluid in a rugged and elegant solution that's not overly expensive to build.
Unlike many rivals, which offer just one 'green' model in their line up, usually accompanied by poverty-spec wheel trims and basic trim, Fiat has decided to spread the good news and offers the MultiAir engine across the full gamut of trim levels. There's even a new sky blue colour, Volare, which debuts on the TwinAir. You’re looking at a premium of around £1,200 to have a 0.9-litre 85bhp 500 TwinAir over the conventional entry-level 69bhp 1.2-litre model. And that means pricing for mainstream models mainly in the £11,000-£15,000 bracket. There is however, a large £3,000 premium if you want the 500C model with its retractable open-top.
Equipment levels very much depend on trim levels, so broad is the range. As well as special edition models, the line up encompasses Sport and Lounge variants, as well as the 500C convertible bodystyle. There's also the option of the Dualogic robotised manual gearbox which allows for clutchless gearchanges just by nudging the gearstick up and down a sequential 'box. Seven airbags and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution help the 500 to a EuroNCAP five-star rating. Fiat offers the optional Blue&Me infotainment system, which features wheel-mounted and voice-activated control for the stereo, as well as logging your driving style for peak efficiency. A Blue&Me Tom Tom touchscreen system integrates navigation and phone functions in a neat, removable package.
It's hard to argue with the bald facts. Compared to the best-selling conventional 1.2-litre petrol engine in Fiat's 500 range, the TwinAir offers 23% more power and yet delivers a 15% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Yes, Fiat charge you for that privilege, but the asking price isn't exorbitant and in some cases the additional costs could be recouped very quickly. As well as incurring zero road tax costs due to its 95g/km emissions, the 500 TwinAir is also exempt from London congestion charge fees. It's probably not the sort of car we'd recommend to those covering higher mileages but it works extremely effectively in traffic, its Start&Stop system making queuing a curiously serene experience. A combined fuel economy figure of 69mpg won't be seen in the urban sprawl and crawl but you should still see a number around the high forties.
Residual values of 500 models in general have held up very well and the TwinAir looks set to be the engine that sparks the highest demand, combining as it does the running costs of a diesel with the perkiness of a petrol. Working smarter rather than harder is something we can all buy into and Fiat's 500 TwinAir is a big step forward in the evolution of the city car. Although the technology might appear impenetrable, the end result of more power, lower fuel bills and lower emissions isn't hard to digest.
Coupling this ingenious engineering to a package that's as appealing as the Fiat 500 results in one that can't really fail. We've heard promises of these 'cake and eat it' solutions so often that we can be excused for being more than a little sceptical, but here's one that delivers on its claims.
Although we'd recommend the bigger 100bhp 1.4-litre engine if you're set on covering larger mileages, the dinky TwinAir powerplant covers all the bases for city driving. Making economies often means going without some of the things that put a smile on your face. Here's one budgetary measure that bucks that trend.
© 2011 Car & Driving
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