Fiat Fiorino, 2008
Developed from a joint venture between Fiat and PSA, this original commercial vehicle is produced at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey, and will be sold in 80 countries worldwide from the end of this year. It has now been presented in the cargo version, while the passenger versions will also be launched next year.
The new Fiorino combines performance, good handling and the type of comfort you would expect from a car with the capacity, ease of loading, reliability and value for money you would expect from a commercial vehicle. It is the perfect solution for people who have to spend long hours driving or need to make deliveries, such as craftsmen, maintenance workers, service companies and couriers.
The design is based on an innovative idea: to create a vehicle whose external dimensions are more compact than those of commercial vehicles in the 1B "small van" segment, but that is equally spacious and functional, inexpensive to run and attractively priced. With an original, dynamic style, the Fiat Fiorino is 3.86 metres long, 1.72 m high and 1.71 m wide. Thanks to these compact external dimensions it can handle any city centre with ease, partly because of its turning circle of just 9.95 metres.
It has a sturdy front end with a distinctive personality, blending harmoniously into the rear section with square lines that accentuate the idea of a solid, robust vehicle. The van also has a large cargo bed and is easy to load. The racy lateral lines make for very dynamic styling (the panel versions have completely smooth sides, ideal for customising with advertising stickers). The large, rounded bumpers and side strips ensure maximum protection for the vehicle, especially against impacts at low speed.
The new Fiorino is synonymous with efficiency and productivity. For the customer, this translates into very low running costs (fuel consumption, servicing intervals and repair costs), and excellent pickup and elasticity at low speeds even with a full load - thanks to the two Euro 4-compliant engines: the 1.4 petrol engine (73 bhp) and the turbodiesel 1.3 Multijet (75 bhp). Combined with a manual 5-speed or an automatic 6-speed gear box, the 1.3 Multijet represents a real technological advance. In practical terms, this means reduced consumption (4.5 l per 100 km in the combined cycle, which translates into 1000 km travelled on a full tank); emissions (the CO2 value is just 119 g per km, and a particulate filter will also be available early in 2008); improved noise level (thanks to multi-injection); reduced vibration and excellent performance (top speed 157 km/h).
When it comes to safety, the new Fiorino is at the top of its class. This can be seen, for example, in the bodyshell with differential stiffness, the powerful, effective braking system, the ABS complete with EBD, the 3-point seatbelts with pre-tensioner and load limiter, the hydraulic power steering and driver's airbag (passenger airbags, side airbags and rear parking sensors are available on request). The new Fiorino is dynamic to drive and has excellent roadhold: mostly thanks to the reliable, extensively-tested suspension system (Mc Pherson independent wheel suspension at the front and torsion bar suspension at the rear) and the high torsional stiffness of the body: 133,000 Nm/rad on the final vehicle (body, windscreen, front doors, and hinged doors with no sliding side doors). Last but not least, to protect the load against the possibility of theft, the new van has separate locking of front and rear doors (so the loading compartment can be used even when the cab is closed) and a deadlock, the central locking system that protects against attempted break-ins by disabling the door handle and lock mechanisms.
The extensive and varied range of new Fiorino Cargo vans is available in two trim levels (basic and SX), ten colours - not to mention a long list of non-standard colours mainly destined for specific clients - two types of upholstery and no fewer than nine body configurations with single, double or no sliding doors, panel or glazed sides and asymmetrical double rear doors (60/40) also available in panel or glazed versions. Not forgetting that specialised converters can transform the new Fiorino in various ways, by adding refrigeration units, mobile workshops etc.
Early in 2008 a special new version will be launched - the Adventure - expanding the versatility of the Fiorino Cargo. Not only is the Fiorino eminently suited to urban environments, but now there will also be a series designed specifically for use in rural areas or driving on rough or unsurfaced roads (building sides, construction of roads and railways etc.). The Fiorino Cargo Adventure has raised suspension, 15" tyres, an engine guard built into the front bumpers and more extensive bodywork protection.
In tandem with this, the Combi range will be launched, designed for passenger or cargo transport (up to 5 passengers plus 270 kg). 2 models (Combi and Combi Adventure). A direct descendant of the Cargo family, the Combi offer is designed for specific applications and customers, combining comfort and style with convenience and rationality. The strengths of this model are its linear finish and extremely versatile rear compartment, perfect for mixed use (transporting teams of workers, tools and materials, or materials only). The 3-seater rear bench can also be folded down, packaged up and even removed, giving the Combi almost the same capacity as the Cargo. The "Adventure" package is Combi range, with the same aesthetic and mechanical features as the Cargo Adventure.
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