Fiat Chrysler has launched two variants of its newly revitalised Ducato van as well as one cab/chassis model in New Zealand.
A long wheelbase Ducato van will retail from $63,990 and an extra-long variant will retail from $67,990. Both are supplied “blind” but glazing is available if required.
Both versions have a medium high roof, twin 270 degree opening rear doors and a wide opening side sliding door, which is wide enough to accommodate a Euro pallet, for quick and easy access.
The two vans on offer provide a payload of 13 cubic metres with a payload of 2110kg or 15 cubic metres with a 2055kg payload. GVMs are 3500 and 4250kg respectively.
The Ducato cab/chassis will retail from $61,900.
Revamped styling for the 2015 Ducato range brings all-new front end features such as daytime running lights with optional LEDs and a new grille design, as well as a new three-part front bumper which helps to reduce repair costs.
New rear light clusters have a distinctive “L” shape. They also improve side visibility and lamp life thanks to pulse width modulation technology and the presence of the double side light.
Inside the revamped cabin there are new seats and technology upgrades, such as the Uconnect five-inch colour touchscreen infotainment unit.
Fiat Professional has designed and developed the 3-litre MultiJet II diesel engine specifically for the needs of the Ducato,
It generates 130kW of power and a torque figure of 400Nm, while CO2 emissions are rated at 203g/km, and combined fuel consumption is rated at 8L/100km.
The 2015 Ducato is available with a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed Comfort-Matic transmission (MTA).
Service intervals are now required at 45,000km.
The 2015 Ducato retains its front-wheel drive configuration with front McPherson-type suspension and rear rigid-axle suspension with leaf springs.
Once again the entire drivetrain is at the front of vehicle, making it ideal for motorhome use or conversations that require underfloor space. The ratio of width to length, compared to rivals, works just as well as a load space as it does for a roomy motorhome says Fiat Professional.
Fiat Professional also says the paint has increased durability with its exclusive new white paint acting as a barrier against UV rays while preserving the quality of the paint over years of use.
A higher level of strength was obtained by further reinforcing the key nodes of the body and door surrounds and by redesigning and improving the hinges, sliding rollers, stops and door seals.
By doing this the goal of extending the endurance of the body by more than 50% has been achieved says Fiat Professional.
Further improvements to efficiency and running costs have been gained by working on kerb weight reduction and increased payload through the use of composite materials in the rear suspension.
All Ducato versions continue to offer an electronic stability control (ESC) system as standard, but it now integrates a rollover mitigation system to protect the load from unexpected motion, in conjunction with load and centre of gravity detection (LAC), Hill Holder, anti-slip (ASR) and electronic braking assistance (EBA) systems.
Servotronic power steering continues to be offered as standard, while further driving assistance systems are available on request, such as lane departure warning system with high-beam recognition.
It also offers Bluetooth and MP3 playback and a five-inch colour touchscreen with optional reversing camera.
