Fiat Doblo Cargo is an Italian Ram Promaster City

Sat, 27 Sep 2014

Meet the new Fiat Doblò Cargo, the Italian cousin of the recently debuted Ram ProMaster City. As part of the Fiat Professional line, we wouldn't count on seeing this one on US shores, but as Fiat Chrysler's compact cargo entry in Europe, expect to see plenty of the mini haulers across the pond following its debut at the Hanover Motor Show.

This isn't a full-tilt redesign for the Doblò Cargo, so much as it is a significant refresh that sees the compact cargo van adopt a new, more stylish front fascia, which borrows inspiration from the larger Ducato van, sold Stateside as the Ram ProMaster. While it's not terribly handsome, it is a major improvement on the awkward looks of the pre-facelift Doblò. Its links with the ProMaster City, meanwhile, are plain to see.

Unlike North America's ProMaster City, which runs on Chrysler's 2.4-liter, Tigershark four-cylinder, the Doblò Cargo is available with a pair of diesel engines; a 90-horsepower, 1.3-liter and a 105-hp, 1.6-liter. While those two mills are sure to be easy on fuel costs, they can be made even better thanks to an optional stop-start system. These so-called "EcoJet" engines can return up to 64 miles per gallon, according to Fiat.

Buyers in the UK will be able to pick up the Doblò Cargo in the spring of 2015. Take a look below for the full press release from Fiat Professional.

THE NEW FIAT DOBLÒ CARGO DEBUTS AT THE 2014 HANOVER IAA MOTOR SHOW

New exterior style for the FIAT Doblò Cargo which goes on sale in the UK in early 2015
In addition to its new exterior design, there are important technical enhancements for key engines
New FIAT Doblò also debuts ultra-efficient new "EcoJet" derivative and is the first vehicle in the range to be badged "FIAT Professional"

FIAT Professional has unveiled the new FIAT Doblò Cargo at the 2014 Hanover International Motor Show. Taking centre stage at the most important commercial and industrial vehicle show in Europe, the new fourth-generation FIAT Doblò features a fresh exterior design, improved engine performance for key models and a new "EcoJet" version engineered to lower fuel consumption and reduced running costs even further.

Of course, all the traits that have made the FIAT Doblò a critical and commercial success, such as its excellent dynamics and comfort - courtesy of its sophisticated bi-link suspension - and its segment-leading load and volume capacities, remain central to the new model's appeal as well.

The most obvious upgrades to the 2015 FIAT Doblò Cargo occur at the front end, which is completely redesigned in line with the new, muscular design language first seen on the new FIAT Ducato. The sculpted bonnet and distinctive new headlamps combine with the bold new grille to add an air of sophistication and elegance to the 2015 FIAT Doblò's design. The sleek new front bumper, lower air intakes and fog light shrouds adopt a more car-like refinement while also hinting at the new Doblò's solidity and robustness, and at the rear new rear light clusters, with a sleeker shape and more sophisticated graphics, round out the Doblò's style revisions for 2015. However, that's not all that's new – the Doblò will also be the first vehicle to bear the "FIAT Professional" logo on its tailgate, a signature which will appear on all FIAT Professional commercial vehicles in the future.

On the inside, a new option of a third, central front seat coincides with dashboard redesign for left hand drive models. However, right-hand drive versions will retain the current, two-seat interior which is highly regarded amongst UK customers for its ease-of-use; ample storage space; high comfort and specification levels and its ability to shrug off the rigours of daily use with ease. The feedback from customers, and in particularly fleet managers, is that with so many variants of the Doblò already available, the availability of a three-seat variant is of less significance in the UK than the Doblò's smart appearance, value-for-money and low running costs, all of which are improved for 2015.

As an example, the key engines in the Doblò range, the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre turbo-diesel units, benefit from enhanced responsivenessallowing higher torque to be produced at low revs. As far as the 1.3-litre MultiJet II engine in concerned, this responsiveness has increased by approximately 40 percent compared to the model it replaces, resulting in both greater flexibility for more relaxed and efficient driving, as well as livelier performance when required. The 90hp 1.3 MultiJet II and 105hp 1.6 MultiJet II engines are also available in new "EcoJet" versions which offer a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels thanks to the use of Start&Stop; low rolling-resistance tyres; low-viscosity oil; an 'intelligent' alternator; a variable-displacement oil pump and a new aerodynamic pack. All this makes it possible to achieve fuel economy figure of up to 64 MPG (4.4 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 115 g/km.

Following the launch, the Traction+ system will also be available on the new Doblò. As already demonstrated in the Fiorino and Ducato, Traction+ makes sure-footed progress possible even on low-grip surfaces, such as snow or mud, without increasing vehicle weight and, subsequently, running costs with a full 4x4 systems.

In terms of safety, the Doblò's exceptional ride and handling is further enhanced by a full suite of standard driver's aids including ESC (Electronic Stability Control), ABS brakes with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist) and Hill-Holder systems that help the driver during hill starts. Front airbags and front side airbags, as well as TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System) are also part of the Doblò's safety arsenal.

Naturally, the hugely versatile load compartment remains key to the vehicle's appeal - with a payload of up to one tonne, theDoblò's load bay is defined by a flat floor with minimal wheelarch intrusions and practical squared-off shape. It boasts a volume of up to 5m3 and is accessed via rear doors which helpfully open to 180-degrees with hard-wearing and ergonomic handles, while additional soundproofing has resulted in an average reduction of 3dB in the cabin.

Available in the UK from the spring of 2015, the new FIAT Doblò Cargo range comprises four body-styles, two roof height options and two wheelbase lengths. Pricing and equipment specifications will be announced closer to the vehicle's UK launch.

About the FIAT Doblò:

Since it was first launched in 2000, the FIAT Doblò has amassed more than a million sales in more than 80 different countries, including North America where it retails as the RAM Promaster City, the New Doblò has become a global vehicle like its Ducato sibling and it will undoubtedly contribute towards the growth of FIAT Chrysler Automobiles in the light commercial vehicles sector – a segment which accounts for approximately 25 percent of the total light commercial vehicle market in Europe.

As in the previous generations, the New Doblò will be produced in the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey, one of the best industrial automotive sites in the world, as demonstrated by the Gold Medal it was awarded during the World Class Manufacturing assessment.

Further information on the new FIAT Doblò, as well as the other models in FIAT Professional's award-winning range of commercial vehicles, is available at www.FIATprofessional.co.uk.

By Brandon Turkus