New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Fiat takes Ducato engines to Euro 5
Now in its fifth generation and celebrating its 30th anniversary, Fiat Professional’s Ducato is going Euro 5. A new range of fuel-efficient 2.0-, 2.3- and 3.0-litre Multijet ll diesel engines have been developed, although the 2.0-litre will not be coming to the UK as the installation is incompatible with right-hand drive.Rated at 115hp (2.0-litre), 130hp or 148hp (2.3-litre) and 177hp (3.0-litre), they all feature a Diesel Particulate Filter and come mated to a six-speed manual transmission; except for the 2.0-litre which gets a five-speeder. There’s the option of a six-speed semi-auto manual ’box for the 3.0-litre. In the UK, Fiat will be offering a 110hp version of the 2.3-litre in lieu of the 2.0-litre.
There’s a claimed fuel consumption improvement in the region of 14 per cent over the current Euro 4 engines. Service intervals for the new powerplants are an impressive 30,000 miles.Other upgrades include the option of the latest load-sensing ESP system which can incorporate a new selectable Traction+ function for those operating in low friction environments and a redesigned dashboard, controls and instrument pack.
New Ducato goes on sale across mainland Europe at the end of June, with right-hand drive models available in September. Prices are expected to be a fraction up on the models they replace.
We’ll be publishing an in-depth video report next week from the new Ducato’s European launch in Italy.
Manufacturer Quick Link
Latest Features
Show Preview: CV Show 2012
This year's Commercial Vehicle Show is scheduled to return to the NEC Birmingham on 24 – 26 April following a very successful 2011 event. The show dates have… Read More
Vans of the Year Awards 2012
Each year we sit down and decide which, in our opinion, are best light commercials around in each market segment… Read More
Manheim: Used Van Market 2011
Manheim Remarketing reports on used van values and trends in 2011… Read More
Iveco: State of the Nation 2012
The Italian van and truck manufacturer takes a look back at the 2011 UK van market… Read More
Bridgestone Eco-Rally 2011
Environmentally-friendly transport can be fun, as we discovered courtesy of a Transit Connect Electric… Read More