News

11/05/2011 – AWARD-WINNING FIAT DOBLÒ CARGO IS BEST LIGHT VAN – AGAIN!

“Fiat Professional’s award-winning Doblò Cargo van is in among the accolades again after winning a top category in the 2011 Van Fleet World Honours for the second year in succession.

The commercial vehicle, which went on sale in the UK in March 2010, has just been named Best Light Van in the latest Van Fleet World awards, the same title it took last year.

Following on from the original Doblò Cargo, which was first announced in 2000, the new model upholds its predecessor’s reputation as a tough vehicle for the professional driver, but with even greater practicality, versatility, comfort, safety and fuel efficiency.

With impressive carrying capacity and new suspension for a superior ride, the Doblò Cargo has a range of Euro 5-compliant engines to make it cleaner and cheaper to run. And the van’s Start&Stop system stops the engine automatically, without the driver turning the ignition key, whenever traffic conditions bring the vehicle to a complete halt; restarting it when the driver wants to move off again.

Van Fleet World editor and panel judge, John Kendall, says: “When Fiat’s Doblò Cargo was launched last year, the model took the kind of step forward it has needed for the past few years. It is not only a significantly better van than its predecessor, but was the first van to offer a start/stop system as standard with 2-litre diesel powered versions. Among its attributes are new engines, and a larger body option in the UK for the first time. This is a well thought out vehicle that’s good to drive..”

“From launch, the new Fiat Doblò Cargo has been received brilliantly by customers, businesses and the media,” says Gerry Clarke, director, Fiat Professional. “And it’s important to us that it keeps winning awards too, as that underlines the vehicle’s dominance in a tough market. To win one Van Fleet World Honours is a wonderful achievement, so two in a row is very pleasing.”

The Fiat Doblò Cargo starts at £11,395 (basic price) for the Cargo 1.4 16v Petrol, rising to £16,295 (basic price) for the diesel-powered Cargo Maxi SX 2.0 MultiJet 16v.”

IVECO EUROCARGO SETS THE STANDARD FOR CITY LINK’S 7.5 TONNERS

City Link’s 200-strong 7.5 tonne fleet of box body and curtainside vehicles are used primarily for urban distribution and are operated by a network of owner-drivers and contractors throughout the UK, with every vehicle liveried in its distinctive green and yellow corporate livery.

Mark Johnson, UK National Fleet Manager for Rentokil Initial, City Link’s parent company, explains: “Our 7.5 tonne fleet comprises a mixture of different vehicle marques and we felt there was an opportunity to further enhance our productivity by standardising on the vehicle we believe is best suited to the role.

“We chose the Eurocargo for its healthy payload capacity and strong reputation in the industry for excellent reliability. A number of the other

models we looked at were either uncompetitive on payload or not robust enough for the demands of multi-drop work in congested city centre environments,” he adds.

Also key to the Eurocargo’s selection was its automated EuroTronic transmission, which is standard on all 4×2 models. This gearbox eliminates the requirement for a clutch pedal and helps to enhance driver comfort, particularly for stop-start urban driving. It also serves to remove any risk of over-revving the engine by ensuring the truck is always in the right gear, which in turn prolongs clutch life.

The Eurocargo’s neatly designed 2.2m wide cab and impressive 52 degree steering angle ensures a tight turning circle and maximum manoeuvrability. This is matched with an unobtrusive centre console and engine tunnel inside the cab, enabling drivers to move about effortlessly without having to climb over or around obstacles – essential for multi-drop distribution.

Amongst the first fleets to operate a new Eurocargo in City Link colours is Southampton-based Abacus Logistics, which has taken delivery of three Eurocargo 75E16s from local Iveco dealer Hendy Van & Truck. The new fleet comprises one box bodied rigid and two curtainsiders, with each vehicle powered by the proven 3.92 litre tector engine which is capable of producing 160 hp at 2,700 rev/min and up to 530 Nm of torque between 1,200 and 2,100 rev/min.

Like all new Eurocargo engines, these are certified to meet the stringent Enhanced Environmentally friendly Vehicle (EEV) standards, originally developed as the appropriate level for a CNG-powered vehicle. This now serves as a stepping stone between Euro 5 and Euro 6, reducing pollutant levels and helping to ‘future proof’ vehicles even further from expected changes in Low Emission Zone requirements.