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
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 European Launch
Volkswagen’s Crafter has undergone a midlife makeover and gets a new front-end along with new Euro 5 engines… Read More
New Strada pick-up arrives in Europe
Fiat Professional’s South American-built fifth generation compact Strada pick-up had just gone on sale in Italy, but once again the UK is set to miss out. Like its predecessor there are no plans to develop right-hand drive versions.Admittedly, the UK market for this size of pick-up is relatively small, but there are other right-hand drive territories where volumes could be significant at the right price; China and India spring to mind. Anyway, here are brief details of what businesses in the UK will not have the opportunity to buy from a dealer.
Based on Palio ‘world car’ underpinnings, Strada can be had in three configurations — short, long (extended) and new four-seater crew cab — and has an overall length of 4,409mm, halfway between a Doblò Cargo and Maxi or the same as a Nissan NV200. There is a single engine choice, the 1.3-litre Euro 5 diesel — from the Doblò, Fiorino and Grande Punto — which produces 95hp and develops peak torque of 200Nm at 1,500rpm.
The front wheels are driven via a five-speed manual gearbox and for those operators in need of extra traction there’s the optional E-Locker selectable electronic locking differential. Suspension is independent at the front with a single-leaf-sprung solid axle at the rear. Brakes are discs at the front and drums at the rear, and ABS is fitted as standard.Lined with a scratch-resistant covering the load bed is 1,300mm wide, narrowing to 1,070mm between the wheelboxes, and length varies depending on model. It measures 1,685mm, 1,332mm and 1,082mm for the short, long and crew cab respectively. Gross payload ranges from 630kg to 705kg and the tailgate, which can be dropped to 90° and features a non-slip coating, can support 300kg. It can be removed completely if the occasion arises.
For the Italian market there are three levels of specification; Working, Trekking and Adventure and prices (excl taxes) start at €12,900 (£10,800) for the entry-level Working short cab. A top of the range Adventure crew cab will set a well-heeled fashionista back €16,000 (£13,400).
