The Swedish Post delivers with the Fiat Fiorino 1.3 MultiJet

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Fiat Group Automobiles and Posten, the Swedish Post Office, have signed an agreement for the supply of 3,000 Fiat Fiorino 1.3 MultiJet vans with 6-speed Comfort-matic semi-automatic transmissions.

The first vehicle of the fleet has been handed over by Lorenzo Sistino, CEO of Fiat Automobiles and Fiat Professional, to Andreas Falkenmark, CEO of Posten, on June 11, at the Headquarters of Posten in Stockholm. With over 30,000 employees, Posten is one of the largest companies in Sweden, and is famous throughout the world for the quality of it’s service.

Featuring the distinctive yellow livery of the Swedish Post, the light commercial Fiat has undergone a series of modifications to optimise it to the specific role and territory, including modified internal illumination, which features high-power LEDs, and a utility kit, which improves the visibility and operability in the cabin. Different for Sweden is also the fact that all the Posten deliveryvehicles are right-hand drive, which simplifies the delivery job of the operator.

This 3,000 vehicle contract once again demonstrates the winning characteristics of the Fiorino 1.3 MultiJet, awarded “Van of the Year 2009”. This versatile vehicle has completely redefined the standards in its category and is playing a leading role in the light commercial vehicle market. A unique vehicle, it was born to satisfy the specific requirements of the customer who is looking for a compact van with low running-costs, agile in traffic and manoeuvrable when parking.

Low fuel consumption and emissions are two of the principle characteristics of the Fiorino. Its ability to sip fuel at a rate of only 4.4l/100km (combined cycle) gives the 1.3 MultiJet turbodiesel version with 75bhp a range of over 1,000km on a single tank of fuel. At the same time, its low emissions of just 116g/km of CO2 are the lowest in its segment. This latter aspect is particularly significant in Sweden, where there is accentuated sensitivity regarding the environment, and confirms the fundamental role that environmental issues play in the development of products for both Fiat Professional and the other brands of Fiat Group Automobiles.

The Fiat Fiorino, together with the other Fiat Professional products, forms part of one of the most modern and complete ranges of commercial vehicles available on the market today - stretching from the compact Panda Van, to the powerful Ducato Maxi and including the car derived vans plus the Doblò Cargo, Scudo and Strada pick-up. A versatile range meeting all possible requirements, it also includes the Natural Power versions, the Ducato 3.0, Panda Van 1.2, Grande Punto Van 1.4, Multipla Van 1.6 and Doblò Cargo 1.6.

The Fiorino itself will also soon see an expansion of its range, with the introduction of a Natural Power version, able to use either petrol or methane, and the innovative Traction+ system which significantly improves traction in slippery conditions.

Finally, the Posten fleet can count on the support of the Fiat Professional network of 31 dealers and 104 official workshops in Sweden, offering a comprehensive geographical coverage as well as 24-7 roadside assistance.

The New FIAT Ducato on Natural Gas

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The FIAT Ducato 140 Natural Power goes on sale today: a natural gas-powered vehicle, guaranteeing top performance, low consumption and – above all – minimum emissions. The following bodywork configurations are available: Panel/Vetrato Van, Chassis cab, Combined, Panorama and Minibus.

The new natural gas Ducato extends the FIAT Professional Natural Power range, currently comprising: Panda Van 1.2, Punto Van 1.2, Multipla Van 1.6, Doblò Cargo 1.6 and Doblò Cargo Maxi 1.6. An offer as extensive as this means the brand can consolidate its leadership of this market and in 2008 FIAT Professional actually registered number plates for 5,900 natural gas-fuelled commercial vehicles in Europe: a share of 57.6% (over 5,000 were sold in Italy, for a share of 72.5%). FIAT Professional seeks to reinforce this record with the debut of the new Ducato 140 Natural Power.

Natural Power Ducatos are another ace up the sleeve for FIAT Professional’s icon model, of which over two million have been produced since its launch in 1981. The underpinning to this commercial success is the van’s surprising versatility. It is a firm favourite with artisans, traders and farmers, but equally with large companies and key clients like local authorities, police services, public administrations and health boards. Coach builders also see it as the perfect base for leisure vehicles (camper vans, motor caravans and motor homes), for carrying people (minibuses, school buses, ambulances, vehicles for the persons with reduced mobility) and goods (tip-ups, insulated, armoured, mobile stores).

The Ducato 140 Natural Power natural gas model fits a 3-litre engine, developing EC maximum 136 HP (100 kW), with 2,750-3,500 rpm, and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm. With this kind of power the Maxi Van - Medium Wheelbase - High Roof configuration hits a top speed of 155km/h, with acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 13.9 seconds, and pick-up of 60-100 km/h (in fifth gear) in 10.1 seconds. It is also able to negotiate a 21.5% gradient when fully loaded. What is more, the new vehicle boasts reduced fuel consumption (8.8 kg of natural gas per 100 km in the combined cycle) and lower CO₂ emissions (239 g/km).

The engine was developed and produced by FPT – FIAT Powertrain Technologies, which targeted a natural gas engineering solution right from the start, adopting numerous specific components to ensure total reliability and efficiency, as well as the promise of performance on a par with that of a diesel engine.

The vehicle is configured to default to natural gas. Petrol supply is provided automatically only when the natural gas is about to run out: the petrol tank holds 15 litres in recovery mode to assure 100 km driving distance to reach the nearest natural gas station.

The gas tanks are installed under the flooring and this leaves the entire storage area free. The fuel system comprises five tanks for an overall capacity of 220 litres (weighing 36 kg) for a400 km range. The natural gas is stored at a nominal 200 bars, at 15°C, and flows as far as the pressure reducer/regulator which supplies four low-pressure (about 7 bars) injectors. These are fitted to the cylinder head and activated by the related electronic control system. If the natural gas runs out, the electronic control system automatically manages the transition to petrol supply.

The Benefits of A New Natural Gas Commercial Vehicle

The new Ducato 140 Natural Power stands as the endorsement of the FIAT Group’s ongoing focus on environmental themes through research and development of tangible solutions available now and available to everyone. FIAT Group Automobiles is world leader in natural gas-powered automotive and commercial vehicles and is fully convinced that natural gas fuel is today’s most appropriate technological option for contributing to the solution of pollution issues in urban areas, since methane is currently not only the cleanest fuel on offer but guarantees significant economic advantages. Unlike diesel vehicles, those with natural gas engines do not discharge particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions are less than 90%. When compared to petrol, natural gas engines guarantee a 50% decrease in nitrogen oxide emission and almost 25% less CO₂, contributing to reducing the greenhouse effect. Thanks to these features, the FIAT Ducato 140 Natural Power can circulate in all urban areas subject to traffic limitations and can be safely parked in any garage.

Fiat Ducato achieves sales of two million units

Image by CARLOS62 via FlickrThe Fiat Ducato achieved a major milestone as its production total rose to two million units since the launch of the first version in 1981.
The Ducato has been a much-loved vehicle for more than 25 years: it is popular with self-employed workers such as tradespeople, shopkeepers and farmers. It is a favourite of big companies and special clients such as local authorities, the police, government departments and health authorities. It is much appreciated by bodyshops-converters specialising in the leisure sector (campers, caravans, motorhomes) or special public transport (minibuses, school buses, ambulances, disabled vehicles) and goods (box trucks, insulated trucks, armoured vehicles for transporting valuables, mobile shops).
The reasons for this vehicle’s success lie in the great versatility that it has shown over more than a quarter of a century. The Ducato was introduced in 1981 and grew year after year until the turning point in 1994, when the second generation was launched. The stylists then no longer saw it as a single basic model with many specification variants but instead as a number of different vehicles specialised for different payload categories and operational missions. And the designers succeeded in producing no fewer than 2000 variants.
The public immediately confirmed that the chosen formula was the right one: sales and market shares exceeded expectations right from the first year of sale and the trade press acknowledged the Ducato's innovative importance by awarding it the prestigious title of “Van of the Year 1994”.
The year 2000 brought the debut of the Ducato 2.8 JTD “Common Rail” offering 127 bhp and 300 Nm of torque that soon became the most popular vehicle in the range. 2002 saw the advent of the third generation vehicle whose strength lay in its many.... strengths! The vehicle is even more flexible, innovative, dynamic and satisfying to look at and use in everyday activities.
The Ducato's success stems from the intrinsic value of the product, from the quality of its design, from the professionalism of the people who make it and the agreement between Fiat and PSA. This was signed in 1978 and led to the setting up of a joint venture that was recently extended to 2017 and the Sevel plant in Val di Sangro, which became the production site of the Ducato and the corresponding PSA models (vehicles that both the Manufacturers market independently). Total production is increasing so fast that output has stabilised at more than 250,000 vehicles per year.
So much for the vehicle's history, a tale of great innovation and ability to stay one step ahead of the market at all times. In the present day, the Ducato continues with this tradition of innovation, going forward into the future with new versions and specifications able to satisfy the needs of all types of customer and the changing scenario in which commercial transport is forced to operate.
The special Fiat engine is particularly worthy of note: a 2.3 Multijet 16 valve Euro 4 engine offering 120 bhp of power and 320 Nm of torque. The unit offers fuel consumption 23 percent lower than the previous generation of Ducato vehicles, servicing at 45,000 km intervals and a particulate filter available as an option.
The top-of-the-range power unit, the 160 Multijet Power (157 bhp and 400 Nm), is remarkable for offering great driving satisfaction, due to its extraordinary attributes of flexibility, perennially prompt response to power demands and outstandingly low noise levels.
The innovative mechanical and engineering features on this engine have made it possible to increase the oil change interval to every 45,000 km or 24 months, to offer a ‘for life’ timing chain – and to offer an exclusive 6-speed robotised gearbox known as the Comfort-Matic - plus a particulate filter as an option.
Another feather in the Ducato’s cap is its array of infotelematic devices, notably the sophisticated Blue&Me Nav, an innovative system that arose as a result of a joint venture between Fiat Group Automobiles and Microsoft, offering satellite navigation via pictograms that can be activated by voice commands and country maps stored on the USB memory stick provided. Because of its Bluetooth technology, you can also make and receive phone calls, listen to incoming text messages and your favourite music by connecting your USB memory stick, without taking your hands from the wheel.
Visitors to the recent Hanover Motor Show were also able to admire the Ducato Natural Power, with its dual methane and petrol fuel system, due to go on sale from April 2009. Fiat Group Automobiles considers that methane-driven power units are currently the most appropriate choice of technology and immediately available to solve pollution problems in urban areas. This is because the use of methane has positive implications in terms of environmental benefits bringing a reduction of approximately 23% in CO2 emissions and a reduction of PM emissions to practically zero. Methane has also proved itself to be a viable financial alternative to traditional fuels (diesel and petrol), which are increasingly subject to rising prices. This means Ducato drivers can circulate in town centres with traffic restrictions and also park their vehicles in garages in absolute safety. Methane distribution networks are also multiplying: there are currently more than 600 plants in Italy with plans for the opening of some 100 new refuelling stations before long.
Fiat Professional aims to use its Natural Power versions of the Ducato to reinforce its leadership in the sector still further: in 2007, the brand was responsible for 47% of methane-driven commercial vehicle sales in Europe and 66.8% in Italy.
All the Ducato’s winning and innovative features make it a veritable 'manifesto’ for Fiat Professional. The model perfectly exemplifies the brand’s new strategies, its different approach to the commercial vehicle concept and its new way of seeing design, production and sales.