GOING FOR AN ITALIAN(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 73

Fiat's Ducato might not be the first name on your LCV shortlist for a large van, but the latest much improved model definitely merits your attention, particularly if you're looking at the full-EV option. Spun off the same platform as the Peugeot Boxer, the Vauxhall Movano and the Citroen Relay, the Ducato continues to score in four key areas; robustness, low running costs, a wide range of body options and load area flexibility.

Background word count: 204

The Fiat Ducato. It's the company's largest van, the flagship of its commercial vehicle range since 1981 and, according to the Italian brand, the most important model in its LCV line-up. That's certainly the case in mainland Europe, where it's the best selling commercial vehicle of any kind, regardless of category, number one in terms of sales in twelve different countries. Here though, it's a less familiar sight than it should be on our roads, something Fiat set out to change when it launched the much improved 'X290'-series sixth generation version in 2014, a design enhanced first in 2020, then again in 2022 and 2024 to create the model we're going to look at here. The fundamentals here are pretty familiar because they're shared with four other competing models in the large van segment, the Peugeot Boxer, the Citroen Relay, the Vauxhall Movano and (latterly) the Toyota Proace Max. Fiat used to use its own powerplants, but now sources those from the same Stellantis parts bin as its competing clones. The core reasons you might want a Ducato lie as before with the wide range of body styles and the affordable running costs, aided here by the vast improvements made to the full-electric version.

Driving Experience word count: 252

Fiat has been forced to fall into line and use the same Stellantis Group 2.2-litre diesel in this Ducato as is found in its Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall clones. As with those models (and the Toyota Proace Max), the whole range is based around the same basic 2.2-litre unit, developing either 140hp (with either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed auto gearbox); or 180hp (in auto form only). The alternative EV powertrain is of course also a shared Stellantis Group set-up, now vastly improved with a larger 110kWh battery, a gutsier 270hp electric motor (with 410Nm of torque) and a 261 mile electric driving range. On the move, whatever the choice of powerplant, we've been impressed with the supple ride and relatively easy manoeuvrability of this Ducato: vans this big are rarely this easy to drive. The ESP stability control system is particularly refined on this van, with a Load Adaptive Control function which adapts the point at which the ESP intervenes, according to the load in the vehicle and its distribution. There's also Hill Start Assist, built into the ESP software. This system is activated when the vehicle is stationary, engine running, foot on the brake pedal, on a slope steeper than 5 per cent, in forward gear going up or reverse gear going down. Under these conditions, braking pressure is maintained for around two seconds after the driver releases the brake pedal, offering assurance and ease in moving off without the vehicle dropping back, whatever the load in the vehicle.