The Fiat Scudo is back, replacing the Fiat Talento as the firm’s medium van. Prices start at £25,750 for diesel models and £35,720 for the all-electric E-Scudo variant, and they’re available to order now.
As with the last Scudo, this new Fiat van is based on the same platform and technology as the latest mid-sized models from Peugeot and Citroen.
Available in three body lengths, and as a panel van, crew van and platform cab the new Fiat Scudo certainly offers buyers lots of choice. There will even be a 100% electric E-Scudo on sale alongside the traditional diesel models, and a passenger version that resurrects the Fiat Ulysse name.
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Is this a surprise?
Not really.
The Talento that’s being replaced here is based on the Renault Trafic, whereas the Scudo shares its foundations with the Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro – all part of the Stellantis family – as well as the Toyota Proace.
As soon as Fiat joined forces with PSA Peugeot-Citroen to form the Stellantis group of companies, we knew it was only a matter of time before it stopped selling the current Talento and started selling a new model based on the Stellantis platform.
The Scudo will be built in France, in the same factory as all the others. It may also be built at the Vauxhall plant in Luton in the future.
Is the new Fiat Professional Scudo good or bad news for customers?
Although Fiat still hasn’t released a huge amount of technical detail, we know a lot about the new Scudo’s sister vans. Which means we know a lot of the positive points of this new model.
Top of the list is the high payload ratings they offer – up to as much as 1,400kg.
What’s more, these Stellantis vans are good to drive, have smooth, powerful engines, and the fully electric models are top of the class at the moment.
However, compared with the Trafic-based Talento, the Scudo’s cab will be cramped – especially if you regularly carry three people up front – the driving position is poor, and the standard loading length not so impressive. Though some compensation is available via a load-through hatch in the bulkhead.
Perhaps more concerning is that with yet another model based on the same platform and technology, the medium van market continues to shrink in terms of genuine choice between models. A situation that will only get worse when the next-generation of Volkswagen Transporter goes on sale in 2023/2024, as that will be based on the next-gen Ford Transit Custom.
What technical spec has been released?
The single roof height is a relatively low 1.9m, which is good news for aerodynamic efficiency and accessing car parks. But although Fiat is promising three body lengths, so far we’ve only been given confirmation of SWB and LWB variants for the UK, which are around 5.0m and 5.3m long, respectively.
Three out of the four related vans are also offered as an even shorter model (Vauxhall doesn’t bother with this, either).
Load volume is 5.3 cubic metres for the SWB version, 6.1 cubic metres for the LWB version, both increasing by 0.5 cubic metres if you make use of the Moduwork load-through bulkhead. This also allows skinny items up to 4.0m in length to be carried.
Conventional engine choice is as follows:
- 1.5-litre with 100hp or 120hp and six-speed manual transmission
- 2.0-litre with 145hp with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic
- 2.0-litre with 180hp with eight-speed automatic
All are diesel, and all are shared with the existing vans. Fiat badges them Multijet, but in fact they are original PSA Peugeot-Citroen BlueHDi units.
What about the Fiat E-Scudo electric van?
This is powered by a 100kW / 136hp electric motor, and available with a choice of two battery packs: 50kWh or 75kWh.
The former is good for a claimed 142-mile range, the latter a joint-class-leading 205-miles per charge. Both will carry 1,000kg – Fiat is yet to say whether a payload upgrade to 1,200kg will be offered for the 50kW variant, but it is from the other brands.
Charging time ranges from a few hours on a wallbox charger to 40 minutes for 80% on a 100kW DC fast charger.
As with the related vans, these stats make the E-Scudo just about the most all-round practical electric van you can buy – at least until the Ford E-Transit arrives in 2022.
Also note that Toyota’s version, the Proace Electric, comes with a 10-year warranty, which is why it alone was made the 2022 Parkers Electric Van of The Year.
When does the new Fiat Scudo go on sale?
The new Scudo – including the E-Scudo electric van – is available to order now. First deliveries are expected in early 2022.
There are three trim levels to choose from: SX, Tecnico and Business, and every model, including the crew cab and chassis cab, can be fitted with the electric drive system.
Notable options include a head-up display, Grip Control system for enhanced traction in slippery conditions, and a host of advanced safety features.
