With the introduction of the new Fiat Fiorino, the Fiat Professional range now comprises three model lines including the recently upgraded Doblo Cargo and Ducato ranges.
All vehicles in the Fiat Professional range are designed and built to meet professional requirements as effectively as possible.
“Fiat Professional is a major contender in the European market and has been awarded numerous international prizes by panels of trade journalists,” says Craig Westray General Manager – Marketing & Communication, Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa. “We are pleased to have an exciting new line-up on offer here in South Africa.”
Fiat’s first foray into the commercial vehicle sector dates back to 1903. Since then the Fiat Professional arm has become increasingly important within the activities of the Fiat Group.
Though South Africa hasn’t traditionally adopted the same commercial vehicle solutions as Europe, favouring bakkies over Panel Van alternatives, Fiat Professional is hoping to change attitudes and perceptions.
“In South Africa we have a tradition of looking to bakkies to solve our business requirements however the advantages of panel vans are far greater, something we hope to be able to demonstrate to local customers,” explains Westray.
With greater benefits in terms of pricing, safety, practicality and versatility the Fiat Fiorino is an intelligent solution for complex business requirements.
The Fiat Fiorino measures3.86 metres, resulting in ample room and intelligent solutions for loading and unloading of goods. The load volume of 2.5 cubic metres can be increased to 2.8 cubic metres, with a loading length of 2.5 metres, thanks to a stowable front passenger seat.
The highly functional configuration of the Fiorino makes loading a breeze. The large side-hinged rear doors offer optimal load breadth and height thanks to a low load threshold, high roofline and favourable width between wheel arches.
The sliding side door is available as standard fitment on the 1.3 diesel model and as an optional extra on the 1.4 petrol model. A second sliding side door is also available as an option, further adding to the practicality by allowing one to easily access goods in the load bay no matter where they are loaded. This is a distinct advantage over a bakkie fitted with a canopy where one would not be able to access items loaded first or at the rear of the load bay.
Proven petrol and diesel engines ensure optimal running costs while a range of options and accessories can be ordered to ensure ones specific business requirements are catered for.
Similarly its larger sibling, the Fiat Doblo Cargo, allows for space optimisation that sees even the short wheelbase models able to accommodate up to two standard euro pallets.
The short wheelbase model can accommodate a 750kg load in standard guise but can be upgraded to accommodate a 1000kg load while the long wheelbase version features a 1000kg capacity as standard.
The Fiat Doblo Cargo is available with a choice three engine derivates: one petrol, a 1.4 and two diesel derivatives, 1.3 Multijet and 1.6 Multijet. The new model was designed to offer excellent performance, low running costs, quiet operation and comfort while also being reliable and environmentally friendly.
Completing the Fiat Professional range is the Fiat Ducato. A contender in its segment for over thirty years, the Ducato ensures top-level comfort and safety while its16-valve Multijet Common Rail diesel engine, with electronic high pressure injection, ensures exceptional fuel efficiency without sacrificing on performance.
The Ducato comes with a standard sliding side door with the option of a complementary second. The rear has two full-height side-hinged doors meaning every centimetre from the floor to the roof is open for loading and unloading goods. The doors open to 90 and 180 degrees. On request, rear doors are available that open to 270 degrees.
The Ducato is able to accommodate packages or pallets standing 1790mm high through the rear doors. The loading threshold is only 55cm from the ground, minimising the amount of lifting required.
“Fiat Professional encompasses a wide range of products able to meet the most diverse mobility and transport needs. With the introduction of the new Doblo earlier this year, the introduction of the Fiorino and the upgrade to the Ducato line the Fiat Professional has been completely renewed to ensure a leading-edge offering for business owners,” concludes Westray.
Fiat Professional vehicles are currently produced in eight plants all over the world, including the Sevel factory, in the Val di Sangro, where the Ducato is produced – the largest light commercial vehicle plant in Europe.
