As part of the dynamic presentation event for the new Fiat Scudo and E-Scudo held in Turin, the Italian firm gave us the opportunity to drive for the first time its large-format Fiat Ducato van, recently updated with a significant battery of technological improvements; among them, a complete range of driving assistance systems (ADAS).
Before we get to the heart of the matter, let’s review the basic features of the vehicle. The Fiat Ducato van is available in four variants: panel van, glazed or semi-glazed van, double cab van and glazed or semi-glazed combi. Its measurements can vary between 4.96 and 6.36 meters long, with heights between 2.25 and 2.78 m. The cargo compartment offers from 1.48 to 4.07 m in length, with which we can take advantage of between 5.5 and 17 cubic meters of cargo volume and up to 2.2 tons of payload. The height to the ground of the sill with the vehicle empty is between 1.08 and 1.25 m.
The Duchy of the ADAS
Returning to the technological section, the new Ducato offers elements not always seen in a car of its category: to begin with, the headlights can be completely LED; and in the driver’s seat, the dashboard comes to display a digital instrument panel and a central touch screen of up to 10.1 “(much brighter, sharper and faster than the one we saw in our first contact with the new Fiat Scudo) . The latter gives access to the Uconnect infotainment system, which includes TomTom navigation and wireless connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The active safety section shines with its own light by incorporating driving assistance systems such as automatic braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, traffic sign reading, driver fatigue warning, adaptive cruise control with stop function and starter, speed limiter, active lane keeping assist and traffic jam assist, electronic stability control with crosswind assist, trailer stability control and parking assist.
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Another noteworthy addition is the digital rear-view mirror which, connected to a mini-camera located above the rear doors, allows us to monitor the movements of the traffic that passes us at all times. Too bad that, as we have been able to verify, its angle of vision is not wide enough for the vehicles that follow us very closely to appear on the screen.
Four diesel options plus the electric E-Ducato
As for the range of engines, let us remember that the “large” van of the Italian brand was the first Fiat Professional model to incorporate a 100% electric variant. The so-called E-Ducato has a motor with 90 kW of power (122 CV) and 280 Nm of torque in charge of moving the front axle. This model offers a choice between a battery with a capacity of 47 kWh and another with a capacity of 79 kWh, the latter being much more suitable for intensive use as it allows a range of use of 280 km in the WLTP mixed cycle.
If a combustion engine fits us more, the Ducato gives us a choice between four power levels on the same 2.2-liter displacement Multijet turbodiesel block; their respective powers are 120, 140, 160 and 180 CV. All of them are accompanied by a 6-speed manual gearbox, and the three highest power levels allow us to choose a 9-speed automatic transmission.
For our brief test drive in Turin and its surroundings, the brand gave us an L3 H2 van model (with a body 6.00 m long by 2.05 m wide and 2.53 m high) equipped with the engine 180 hp diesel and automatic transmission, and with 300 kg of ballast in the cargo compartment. This level of power is, of course, the most suitable for driving at full capacity, even more so thanks to its significant 450 Nm of torque, available from just 1,500 rpm.
This, in addition to the proper staggering of the nine automatic transmission ratios, allows the vehicle to move with some ease, as long as we adapt to the slowness of the steering and, above all, to the driving position typical of vans ” lifelong”; that is, with a very inclined steering wheel (which in this case, moreover, is only adjustable in depth), a seat with an upright backrest and a short bench, and pedals located very close and very low. Nothing to do, then, with the “purely tourism” position that a Fiat Scudo gives us, of course; but in return, we will enjoy a much more modern and efficient infotainment system as well as, of course, an unrivaled cargo space!
Now on sale in Spain
The new Fiat Ducato is available at dealerships in our country with prices (without taxes) from 26,835 euros, which is what the short-wheelbase closed van model with a 120 hp diesel engine and manual gearbox costs.
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