Fiat hopes the launch of the new Scudo will help it realise its ambitions of boosting UK market share from 4% to 5% over the coming 12 months. The newcomer, which will be launched in February 2007, shares the same basic bodyshell and driveline as its Citroën and Peugeot siblings that roll off the same line. The only mechanical difference is Fiat's decision not to offer a petrol engine.
So this means buyers are given a choice of 1.6-litre 90hp (180Nm), 2.0-litre 120hp (300Nm) or 2.0-litre 136hp (320Nm). Fiat anticipates the lowest powered derivative to be the UK fleet favourite, while the 136hp version is likely only to be specified in passenger-carrying Scudos. The engines are matched to manual transmissions, five-speed in the case of the 1.6-litre and six-speed for the more powerful pair. There are two wheelbases and two roof-heights on offer, resulting in load volumes of 5, 6 or 7m3. Potential payloads vary from 1,000kg to 1,200kg.
Although the 
Fiat's interior is almost identical to that of its French rivals, the number of creature-comforts that come as standard is likely to vary slightly. Final specification for Scudo is yet to be announced, but you can expect electric windows, CD-player and a driver's airbag to come as standard. The van is packed with innovative features, including a combined cruise-control/driver operated speed limiter, which will be a relatively cheap option. Storage facilities are excellent, with overhead lockers in the cabs of all models. It is also being offered with a ceiling-mounted storage tunnel, a €150 option for carrying lengthy objects.
Fiat claims to have class-leading security features, and is confident that Thatcham will award it five stars for theft of, and 4 stars for theft from the van. This compares with two and one star for the old Scudo. Although prices are yet to be announced, Fiat is promising that Scudo will undercut rivals from Mercedes-Benz and VW by about 5%.
On 
the road
We had a chance to drive a couple of versions of the new Scudo in and around Turin.
First up was a long wheelbase high-roof version with 120hp 2-litre engine under the bonnet. As you would expect from an unladen 2.2-tonner with 300Nm of torque, it proved to be an excellent performer. It romped round the Turin ring road, and made light work of steep inclines. It was refreshingly quiet too, although this was partly due to the non-standard full-height steel bulkhead (buyers get a ladder affair as standard equipment).
The six-speed manual transmission was just shy of perfect, with smooth and precise gear changes. There's a short throw between third and fifth, but it only caught us out the once.
We have nothing but praise for the excellent cruise/speed limiter module, which is relatively easy to use and vital for driving in this day and age. Why can't all van manufacturers offer this as an option?
It was difficult to fault either ride or handling too, although we look forward to trying it out with a load on board. The steering was light, yet responsive, and a good turning circle makes Scudo a great inner-city companion.
Having sung its praises with the other journalists over lunch we got into a fleet-spec 1.6 for the return leg. This is the engine that Fiat anticipates fleet buyers to choose, but we hope not. It felt slightly underpowered and we are sure it would run out of puff with a full load on-board. And we didn't like the way that it was quite literally crying out for a sixth gear. The rev-counter needle was sitting on 3,000rpm at120km/h, leading us to search for a non-existent sixth gear on several occasions. Consequently the engine was louder, resulting in a less pleasant driving experience.
The five-speed box isn't as user-friendly as the six-speed versions either, and we struggled to find second on more than one occasion.
Verdict
The Scudo is the last in a long line of excellent new vans to be launched this year. It's a great all-rounder and has a number of innovative features to aid the driver's working life.
Add to this stylish looks, a competitive purchase price, potentially low insurance ratings and an ever-expanding UK lcv dealer network, and you have a viable fleet-buyers alternative to the Vito and Transporter. But from this initial driving experience, our advice would be to opt for the mid-range power offering.