Road Tests: Fiat Ducato 15 2.3 JTD

The Fiat Ducato name has already been around since 1981, but you ?aint seen nothing yet. Fiat and its PSA partners in the Sevel joint manufacturing venture, Citro?n and Peugeot, have just signed up to extend the deal until 2017. One of the two key elements to the 3extension is the replacement of the current Ducato and its French-badged clones in 2006.
That's all in the future, though, and this test marks our first drive in the latest Ducato, unveiled at last year's RAI CV show in Amsterdam. We?ve already tested one representative of the latest Sevel family in Citro?n Relay guise (CM 2-8 January) and we're not going to kid you that this Ducato is a significantly different product.
Where the Fiat does differ is in its marketing. While Citro?n is keener on targeting the cash-conscious fleet or public sector buyer, Fiat's specification appears designed to appeal more to the owner-driver, prepared to load up the van with more goodies from the extensive options list. The biggest difference though is in the driveline fitted to the middle-of-the-range models.
While the lower models share the PSA-sourced DW10 engine, and the top end shares the 2.8-litre Sofim unit from Iveco, the middle ground sees distinct units from Fiat and PSA. PSA's is a 2.2-litre version of the DW10, the DW12, while the Italian badge is carried uniquely in the Sevel range on a brand new Sofim 2.3-litre JTD engine which, turned through 90o, is also used in the latest Iveco Daily.
Pricewise, even disregarding Citro?n's frequent but temporary special promotions, the French badge has the slight edge by a couple of hundred pounds, although specification differences make exact comparison difficult.

The Ducato van range comes in a choice of three GVW ratings; the 11 is rated at 2,900kg, the 15 at 3,300kg and the Maxi at 3,500kg. Rather surprisingly, the maxi is only available with a single wheelbase and high (not to be confused with extra-high) roof, giving a load volume of 12.0m3. The only choice here is between 2.3 or 2.8 JTD engines. The smaller models come in a greater variety, with 2,850 or 3,200mm wheelbases and a low roof height in addition to the two previously mentioned options.
The combinations available make it possible to come up with a rather ungainly-looking medium wheelbase, extra-high 11.5m3 van which looks as tall as it is long, and is actually 35% higher than it is wide. This ugly duckling apart, there are three other volumes possible - 7.5m3 and 10.0m3, and two different ways to offer 9.0m3.
The bodybuilder's art is not forgotten, with a whole separate brochure listing vehicles for conversion. These range through normal single and double-chassis cabs, platform cabs and a chassis cowl with no extra panels. As well as the same choices as the vans, there's also an extra-long (4,050mm) wheelbase single-chassis cab. The van tested is a 15 Gran Volume, which has the same 2.3 JTD engine. One of Fiat's weapons in its assault on the smaller operator is the imaginative colour chart, offering ?six pastel shades and four metallics?, our example coming in the distinctive Boston Blue Metallic.
The new engine features an aluminium cylinder head with twin overhead camshafts opening four valves per cylinder. The turbocharger incorporates a wastegate which opens progressively from 2,200rpm, allowing high boost levels at lower speeds. Fuelling is by high pressure (1,600 bar or 23,500psi) common-rail injection.

The current trend away from the more established GVW groupings is making life hard for us when we come to making comparisons, especially in the less-obvious sectors such as this 3.3-tonner. Whether it's down to the 200kg weight advantage or the efficiency of the new engine, the fact is that the Ducato's laden fuel return of 31.6mpg is significantly ahead of the opposition and the best result we?ve obtained for any van over 3,200kg GVW.
Interestingly though, on the unladen run the Ducato failed to match its in-house rival, the Relay 2.2HDi, but it still achieved a respectable 34.3mpg against the Citro?n's exceptional 38.4mpg. Fiat's marketing decision to cap all but the largest-bodied of the Ducato range at a 3,300kg GVW means that it may not appeal to those in search of high payload in a compact package. That said, the 3,300kg 15 models can be had with gross payloads well in excess of 1,500kg.
This example, with its medium wheelbase and roof height, will carry a genuine 1,350kg with CM's 75kg at the wheel.
Our van came with unglazed rear doors as standard, and a solid steel bulkhead, which isn?t. With prying eyes thus kept out, the 10.0m3 loadspace is protected from sticky fingers by the optional remote central locking; an alarm is also optional. A laminated floor covering and trimmed side panels protect the van body from its contents.
The wide sliding near-side door has a positive locking mechanism in the open position, avoiding the old problem of unwanted self-closing when facing downhill. Unlike on the longest wheelbase version, the door on the medium-sized version opens right up to the bulkhead, rather than a foot or so back.
The Ducato's warranty offers two years unlimited mileage cover from Fiat, including AA-roadside assistance and load continuation, and third-year dealer cover up to 100,000 miles. One of the welcome benefits brought by the new engine is that oil and filter changes are only required at 18,000-mile intervals, while the timing belt is designed to last 150,000 miles.