On The Road
Having done virtually no more work than to drive off the production line before being delivered to deepest, darkest Sutton, we could have expected the Ducato to feel in need of a little loosening up. But if our example was indeed down on its ultimate potential, then that potential is something to look forward to. The daunting climb up Titsey Hill would have been completed in an outstanding time had we not been baulked on the easy section after negotiating the hard bit easily in fourth gear.
Even so, the average speed for the journey of 66.6km/h doesn't get much better, demonstrating the impressive flexibility of the 16-valve engine, particularly as outright acceleration is not in the record-breaking class. The 2.3 JTD is more about achieving momentum, and then maintaining it.
The dynamic behaviour of the Ducato chassis does nothing to hinder progress either. An independent front end with McPherson struts and a leaf-sprung beam axle at the rear looks simple on paper, but does the job on asphalt. Handling is safe and predictable, even when provoked under testing ground conditions, although the negative side of the tightly tied-down chassis is a very firm ride when unladen.
Even while travelling empty over bad surfaces, the Ducato continues to feel surprisingly well built. The impression was only let down by the top of the passenger door getting sucked out at certain speeds, the low-mounted hinges being a corollary of the generous size of the side windows, but it's not something we?ve previously noticed on a Sevel product.
Cab Comfort
The Ducato's dash is, as you might expect largely identical to the recently-tested Relay?s. This is no bad thing as it includes the same clear and simple white-on-black orange backlit instruments, with the digital odometer showing just 360 miles at the start of the test. Also present is the pop-up clipboard on the dash and a pair of auxiliary power sockets.
The electrically-heated and adjusted mirrors, with excellent dual-zone blind-spot coverage, and electric windows are all standard fit. We were initially confused by the heated rear window switch (on a van with unglazed rear doors) but soon worked out that it also controlled the mirror heat. The face-level heater vents on the dash were fed, in this case, but the optional air conditioning.
Unusually, especially in a van with a full bulkhead and no loadspace access from the cab, the Ducato is supplied with a pair of single seats as standard, a double passenger seat being a ?no-cost? option. They are comfortable, though, each trimmed in a mid-blue cloth and with height-adjustable foldaway armrests. The multi-function steering wheel with audio controls is a handy optional extra, as are airbags. Among the many other options available are such things as Webasto auxiliary heaters, rear-vision camera, fridge, cruise control and the full range of ?Connect? satellite navigation and telematics systems.
Driving controls, including the handy dash-mounted gear lever, are well placed and easy to operate. The steering column adjusts for height and the driving seat has lumbar support included in its adjustments. Numerous storage facilities, both large and small, are liberally scattered around the cab, including a convenient mobile phone or cup holder to the left of the dash centre, and there are coat hooks on each side of the cab.
