JUST THE DOB? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The third generation version of Fiat's Doblo van gets a useful update. Jonathan Crouch sees how it measures up.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

The third generation version of Fiat's Doblo van has evolved - particularly in all-electric form. Much about this now-smarter design is now shared with competing brands in the sector for compact LCVs, but this one still deserves a look if you're seeking a modern value-based package.

Backgroundword count: 156

For the first time in a long time, the Fiat Professional van range is looking properly modern and cutting-edge. All three of the LCVs the Italian brand offers have been significantly refreshed in recent times - including the smallest member of the line-up, the little Doblo van we look at here. Like the larger Scudo and Ducato models, it has shared Stellantis Group underpinnings, specifically here the EMP2 chassis already used by the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Toyota Proace City. Which means there can be a (now-improved) all-electric E-Doblo model too. There's inevitably good and bad in this. Good in that it brings us a much more sophisticated Doblo than businesses have ever had access to before. And bad in that it also brings us the priciest Doblo we've ever seen here. Value was always this Fiat van's calling card. Can this one still deliver in that regard?. Let's take a look.

Driving Experienceword count: 182

One day in the not-too-distant future, you won't be able to acquire a new van of this size with a combustion engine, but for the time being, fossil-fuelled powerplants are very much alive and well in the Doblo range. There's no longer a petrol option, but Fiat still offers two 1.5-litre units, one with 100PS and manual transmission, the other with 130PS and an automatic. A neat touch is Fiat's 'Grip Control System', designed to aid traction on slippery surfaces. And for those awkward deliveries on building sites, there's a Hill descent control set-up for gradients of over 3%. Your Fiat Professional dealer is also going to want you to consider the option of the alternative all-electric E-Doblo, which uses exactly the same now-improved powertrain as its Peugeot E-Partner, Citroen e-Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Electric and Toyota Proace City Electric segment cousins. This sees a 100kW motor drive the front wheels powered by a 50kWh battery, which when fully charged can now take the E-Doblo up to 205 miles. As usual with this powertrain, there are three driving modes, 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Power'.

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