The most eye-catching exhibit on the Fiat Professional stand at the 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show is a colourful example of the brand’s recently launched Fullback pickup, decked out in the livery of the 2016 MXGP Motocross World Championship, which Fiat Professional sponsors.
However, Fiat’s most important exhibit is the now Euro 6-compliant Ducato large van, with the Italians placing particular emphasis on the new long-wheelbase nine-seater Combi variant. But in fact the entire Fiat Professional line-up has been refreshed this year, so this is also an opportunity to see the new Talento medium van, thoroughly updated New Fiorino plus the latest Doblo Cargo.
And for the first time ever, there’s also a pickup from the American brand Ram on the Fiat stand at the IAA – for Ram is part of the wider Fiat Chrysler Group family.
2016 Fiat Ducato: Euro 6 and seats for nine
Fiat’s sold over 2.9 million Ducato vans over 35 years and six generations. The latest Euro 6 versions of the 2.3-litre Mutlijet2 engines that power the current model are the most efficient ever, with the 150hp version among the very best for fuel economy in its class.
The new nine-seater long-wheelbase Combi is notable for retaining two metres of load space behind the passengers, and is a stepping stone towards new minibus models coming in 2017.
Other examples on the stand feature load space storage solutions by Fiat’s accessories brand Mopar, while the flatbed chassis cab has the more powerful 180hp engine.
Fiat Ducato is now Euro 6 compliant
Fiat’s got Talento
Proving – in theory – that the Italians have style, the Talento medium van is on display with dark metallic green paintwork, matte black alloy wheels and “Living Brown” (seriously…) interior finish.
Fiat’s version of the Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro and new Nissan NV300 has certainly got the looks to go along with the practicality.
But only the Nissan – which gets its debut at IAA 2016 – comes with a five-year warranty.
Nissan launches new NV300 van with five-year warranty
Read the Parkers review of the Fiat Talento
New Fiorino and Doblo Cargo: Natural Power
Now officially labelled the New Fiorino, Fiat’s small van has been updated inside and out in 2016, has a 2.8 cubic metre load space and can carry up to 660kg. However, it’s on show in Hanover with an eco-friendly Natural Power engine, which uses compressed natural gas (CNG), the tanks for which reduce the load space to 2.4 cubic metres and payload to 500kg.
The Doblo Cargo is also on display with a Natural Power engine. Based on the 1.4-litre T-JET turbo petrol, it produces 120hp and 206Nm of torque, with the amount of gas storage depending on the wheelbase – four tanks for the short version, five tanks for the long version, both supplemented by a 22-litre petrol tank. There are more Mopar storage solutions in the back.
Neither CNG model is destined for sale in the UK, though.
Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport: beast
Also unlikely to make an appearance in the UK is the Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport pickup. This dwarfs Fiat’s own Mitsubishi L200-based Fullback pickup in every respect – not least with what’s under the bonnet.
While the Fullback’s best effort is a 180hp 2.4-litre turbodiesel, the Ram 1500 Sport packs a 5.7-litre HEMI V8 – which produces no less than 395hp and 556Nm. To make it slightly more acceptable to European tastes, the example on show here is fitted with an LPG conversion, allowing it to run on more affordable liquified petroleum gas. You’ll still be lucky to get more than about 15mpg though…
