Fiat Professional Ducato

Ducato exudes confidence as it retains Europe’s top spot

Andrew Walker

With the growth of internet shopping – and my word, hasn’t that been the case over the past few months – the van market continues to thrive, as more customers have parcels delivered to their homes and places of work.

With that growth has been a matching rise in van sales, particularly those ideal for the urban sector. And while a host of new electric vans are with us, sales are still dominated by new, clean diesels. The FCA Group was at the vanguard of this with its Fiat Professional Ducato, which has been updated for 2020.

The best-selling Fiat Professional vehicle, the Ducato is now offered with a range of improved Euro6D engines, including a new 9-Speed automatic transmission with latest-generation torque converter. Fiat has also taken the opportunity to upgrade the safety and tech, adding advanced ADAS driving assist systems, the latest-generation infotainment system and they’ve also revised the exterior.

Ducato has been the European market leader in its sector for the past five years, as well as the leading vehicle as a base for motorhomes in Europe, taking approximately three in every four motorhome sales.

The Ducato’s new range of MultiJet 2 engines come with a variable geometry compressor, which results in a smoother drive, increased flexibility at low speeds and improved fuel consumption, no matter which power output. The entry level Ducato produces 120hp from the 2.3-litre MultiJet 2 engine at 2,750rpm with a maximum torque of 320Nm at 1,400rpm. It is teamed with the manual gearbox, which improves power and torque delivery by 10 per cent compared to the previous 2.0-litre engine.

The 140hp version offers 350Nm torque at just 1,400rpm and is offered with a choice of 6-speed manual gearbox or the new 9-speed automatic transmission. The 160hp variant reaches peak power output at 3,500rpm and distributes up to 400Nm torque at 1,500rpm in the automatic version.

The range-topping engine boasts 180hp, with peak power coming in at 3,500rpm and 400Nm torque from 1,500 to 3,000rpm, with manual gearbox.

Combined with the new 9-speed automatic transmission it produces 450Nm torque, 12 per cent more than the previous model placing it best-in-class in terms of torque in its category.

The new nine-speed automatic transmission offers drivers a choice of three driving modes:

Normal, Eco and Power. There are two operating modes, Drive and Autostick. In Drive the control module automatically selects and shifts into gear according to the various driving conditions. In Autostick the driver can change gear manually.

The Ducato MY20 also comes as standard with the new EcoPack, which includes Start and Stop, smart alternator and electronicallycontrolled fuel regulator. Improved safety features include blind spot assist, rear cross path detection, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, high beam recognition and a rain and dusk sensor. The infotainment system features a 7” touchscreen by Mopar®, USB port, DAB and SatNav, as well as integration for Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM.

We had the opportunity to spend some time driving a couple of the new models and came away impressed. First up we tackled a 140hp manual LWB version. On a route that took in city and country roads plus the motorway, this version proved very capable.

With two passengers and a one-tonne load on board, this version is the most popular engine choice in the UK.

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Trafford Van Centre Andy Thomas 0161 8773 445 0777 0922 6699 vansales@htc-uk.com Unit 5 Circle South, Wharfside Way, Trafford Park, Manchester, M17 1NF HTC Oxford 0186 584 4115 0776 786 5263 vansales@htc-uk.com 16 Chancerygate Business Centre, Langford Lane, Kidlington, OX5 1FQ

Fuel economy and CO 2 results for the Fiat Professional E-Ducato. Mpg (l/100km): Not applicable. CO2 emissions: 0g/km. Electric range* 137 to 224 miles. These figures were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. The E-Ducato is a battery electric vehicle requiring mains electricity for charging. There is a new test for fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures. The electric range shown was achieved using the new test procedure. Figures shown are for comparability purposes. Only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. *The values indicated for vehicle range are measured by the manufacturer on pre-approval tests, and may be subject to modification depending upon the definitive homologation. Values may not reflect real-life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

Cleaner engines help Ducato deliver

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Despite the LWB dimensions, when we headed on to some rural B roads the Ducato handled with aplomb. The addition of Lane Departure Warning gives the driver a quiet nudge when the road narrows, or you are forced off line, but unlike in many cars and vans we’ve driven, it’s not intrusive. There’s also a reversing camera built into the 7” screen.

The test took us on a pre-programmed circular 35km route, following the built-in SatNav. Of course, if needed, you can connect your phone via USB to utilise Google Maps, but the built-in SatNav worked just fine, even offering a reassuring beep when you take the correct exit off a roundabout.

The interior has also been redesigned and our test model featured a clever notepad-cum iPad rest which can be lifted up to allow your tablet to rest on it. There’s a couple of decent sized glove boxes, two deep door pockets, storage on top of the dash, twin drinks holders in front of the centre passenger seat and two more storage areas, which are also located in front of the third passenger seat.

The ratios in the six-speed manual gear box make changing up or down simple and the Ducato also benefits from a light clutch. All three pedals are easy to reach, with room to rest your foot on the motorway as well. The

steering wheel only adjusts up or down though.

Next up was the more powerful 160hp unit, matched to the new nine-speed auto gear box. This offers a manual shift if you prefer. However, for stop/start driving, especially on the motorway, the automatic is a blessing and helps for a more relaxing drive than in the manual.

The extra 20hp that’s on tap also gives the Ducato a bit more pull, especially at the top end. Where the 140hp version tends to fade after 2,000 revs, doing all of its work lower down, the 160hp version keeps pulling all the way up to 3,500rpm.

The driving position in the Ducato is excellent, with a clear view of the road ahead and to left and to right, thanks to the large windows and windscreen. The driver’s seat adjusts fore and aft and up and down, so getting comfortable was easy.

Whatever the standard of the cabin or the

drive, this is a load-lugger, and in this capacity the Ducato scores highly. The load area has a new and large LED light in the middle of the roof inside the loading area. The twin rear doors fold almost flat to the side of the van and there’s also a single sliding side door, both allowing better access to the rear of the van.

Any negatives? The Ducato is now eight years old and while the upgrades won’t hurt, it’s still a pretty old vehicle by modern standards. Quality wise, the interior feels better than before but it does still feature some cheaplooking plastics in places, and while the tech has clearly improved, the 7” screen could do with being a touch larger. On the plus side, the seat fabric looks and feels hard wearing, and is very smart-looking.

Prices for the diesel Ducato, start at £24,670 (excluding VAT).

Verdict By updating and improving the latest Ducato, especially with the addition of the new cleaner diesel engines and soon to arrive eDucato, Fiat Professional has given itself the chance to remain number one in Europe in the large panel van sector for some time.

CC&V RATING: N N N N