REVISED DOBLÒ CARGO VAN RANGE IN UK

A revised Fiat Doblò Cargo range has just gone on sale in the UK, building further on the outstanding success of a class-leading all-rounder already awarded the twin accolades of Editor's Choice in the 2002 Commercial Fleet World Honours, and Tester's Choice in Commercial Motor magazine's 2003 awards.

Enhancements to the revised range comprise updated interior styling and equipment, improved soundproofing, and revised or new powerplants, including, from May this year, the remarkable 1.3 litre 16-valve 70 bhp MultiJet turbodiesel, the smallest and most advanced second generation common rail direct injection turbodiesel in the world.

Priced from £8295-£10,065 + VAT, the range offers 1.2 MPI 8v petrol, or 1.9D, 1.9 JTD and 1.9 JTD SX diesel versions, with 1.3 MultiJet 16v and 1.3 MultiJet 16v SX variants completing the six model line-up later this spring. All four engines are mated to 5-speed manual transmissions.

Augmenting an eager yet frugal, 65 bhp 1.2 FIRE petrol engine, and the proven, 63 bhp 1.9 D diesel unit, is a more powerful 105 bhp version of Fiat Auto's renowned 1.9 JTD turbodiesel with common rail technology. This new engine, a development of the highly successful 100 bhp unit, offers a power and torque increase, and, most significantly, a 10% decrease in fuel consumption from 44.1 to 48.7 mpg over a combined cycle.

Weighing just 130 kg, the remarkable 1.3 litre 16v MultiJet turbodiesel - a 1248 cc, 4 cylinder in-line unit with a bore of 69.6 mm and a stroke of 82 mm - combines extremely compact dimensions with the sophisticated MultiJet technology of second generation JTDs.

This state-of-the-art powerplant develops 70 bhp and an impressive 133 lb.ft of torque at only 1750 rpm. Start up times, exhaust smoke, emissions and fuel consumption are all significantly reduced, while noise levels and vibration are lowered to ensure a quieter drive and improved passenger comfort.

Moreover, despite its ultra-compact dimensions and technical sophistication, the 1.3 16v MultiJet boasts a lifespan increase to over 150,000 miles, during which no mechanical maintenance is required. Oil change intervals are at 12,000 miles.

With a class-leading loadspace of 3.2 cubic metres (expanding to 3.8 cubic metres in high-roof versions), the Fiat Doblò Cargo has a bigger payload capacity (at 625 kg) than the Citroën Berlingo, whilst offering better load accessibility from both side and rear doors than either Berlingo or Renault Kangoo rivals.

Loading deck height is lower than Berlingo at just 535 mm, and width between wheel arches (at 1200 mm) greater than on both Berlingo and Kangoo. The Doblò's turning circle of just 10.5 m also betters that of the Berlingo, and its responsive steering rack needs just 2.2 turns lock to lock.

Already noted for its roomy cab, comfortable seats, first class driving ergonomics and exceptional all-round visibility, the 2004 Fiat Doblò Cargo now offers a two-tone fascia with a brand new, analogue, driver's instrument binnacle featuring rev counter and central trip computer on all versions except 1.9D.

Seats and door panels are upholstered in a new range of body-colour co-ordinated, hardwearing cloth trims. And four new body colours - Cedar Green, Sky Blue, Astral Blue and Opal Green - increase the range to a choice of 11 colours.

The new Doblò Cargo's comprehensive levels of standard equipment include a built-in armrest and adjustable lumbar support to the height adjustable driver's seat, a driver's airbag and seatbelt pretensioner, power steering, a stereo radio/cassette, a tough, PVC lining to the loadspace and a protective, metal ladder bulkhead between loadspace and cab. A full steel bulkhead is fitted to SX versions.

An options list carefully considered to both enhance life on board and further improve the new Fiat Doblò Cargo's flexibility includes remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows, electric, heated door mirrors, passenger and side airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes, rear door with heated rear window and wash/wipe facility, a fixed steel bulkhead with central glass panel, increased payload, high roof, a stereo radio/CD player and CONNECT - Fiat Auto's unique communications system which is the most advanced infotelematic package on the market.

CONNECT is a ground-breaking, on-line system that connects the driver to an extensive range of services via either manual control or voice commands.

At the heart of the system is a live telephone connection to a contact centre manned by operators who, through automatic vehicle recognition, will speak the language of the country in which the vehicle is registered.

The operator will give the driver information on traffic and weather conditions en route, can find a wide range of specific locations and will, if necessary, even guide a driver step by step to a destination.

Information on a requested destination is transmitted by the operator to the Doblò Cargo's CONNECT system and displayed in the form of an icon on the screen. This information may then be opened, stored in the unit's directory, or entered directly into the satellite navigation system for immediate guidance.

Two levels of CONNECT system are available:

• CONNECT NAV is fitted with a 192x80 pixel LCD graphic display. It includes an RDS radio with CD, a trip computer, GPS independent navigation using pictograms and an SOS button linked to the Contact Centre for receiving information and assistance. An MP3 player with voice activated commands, and a GSM phone can also be requested with this option.
• CONNECT NAV+ comes with a wide, 5", full colour active matrix display screen. As well as the functions of CONNECT NAV, it offers a map navigation system, atlas function and voice activated commands for the telephone and a voice memo.

Noise levels within the revised Fiat Doblò Cargo have been significantly reduced through the extensive insulation of the passenger compartment. Highly efficient sound deadening and sound absorbent materials applied to the panels during assembly are now abetted by a soundproof, loadspace partition, (standard on SX, optional on other versions), which reduces noise levels by 3 dBA over a conventional partition.

Designed to cope with the widest diversity of loads and road surface conditions, the Fiat Doblò Cargo's suspension comprises MacPherson struts with coil springs and double-acting hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers at the front, and robust leaf springs allied to a rigid axle at the rear.

To improve driving comfort still further, revised Doblò Cargo features modified shock absorber travel and leaf spring camber to bring the vehicle's nose down, whilst painstaking adjustment of the rear suspension bushes has reduced the transmission of road surface generated vibrations.

The revised Fiat Doblò Cargo is not only a durable vehicle, but a safe one, having passed tests in Fiat's own Safety Centre harsher than those undertaken by Euro NCAP and the American STD 208. Built into the bodywork are special crumple zones designed to collapse progressively and absorb impact forces. The cab boasts side impact bars to the doors, and reinforced areas to the dashboard, floorpan and roof.

In addition to a driver's airbag and optional passenger and twin side airbags, occupant protection is further ensured by Fiat's patented Fire Prevention System. This involves the use of flame retardant materials, and an inertia switch which cuts off the fuel flow to the engine in the event of an impact.

Designed for easy maintenance and repair, the Doblò Cargo's entire bodyshell is fabricated in galvanised steel, with key exposed areas zinc-coated to a depth of 20 microns - three times the industry norm. Box sections are injected with wax-based oil to prevent internal corrosion, and the whole bodyshell is immersed in an electro-cataphoretic dip.

In line with all other Fiat commercial vehicles, 2004 Doblò Cargo comes to the market with an 8-year anti-perforation and 3-year paintwork warranty. Additionally, all Doblò Cargos are covered by the Fiat Vanguard dealer warranty scheme which, as well as covering an extensive range of engine, gearbox, steering, differential and electrical components, has now been upgraded to include Fiat AA Assurance over the entire three year period.

The revised Fiat Doblò Cargo also comes to the UK market with the optional promotional offer of Fiat's new Top Van Care extended warranty comprising 5 year components cover, a 5 year paintwork warranty, a 100,000 mileage limit and 5 years of Fiat AA Assurance cover available at the point of sale from Fiat dealerships.

2004 Fiat Doblò Cargo model range and pricing:

Brief technical specifications:

1.3 MultiJet 16v

1.9 JTD 105 bhp

ends...

For further information please contact:

PETER NEWTON Public Relations Director

or

Puneet Joshi Press Officer

Fiat Auto (UK) Limited

Tel: 01753 511431

Fax: 01753 516871

E-mail addresses: peter.newton@fiat.com/puneet.joshi@fiat.com

This press release and photographs are also available on www.newspress.co.uk

Further information can also be obtained on www.fiatautopress.com

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