Dimensions: Length/Width/Height 4250/1720/1810mm
Good Style, Nice Features
Our Rating: No Rating Available
When an older version of the Fiat Doblo drove by people would often stop and stare. Sadly for Fiat people were not staring in awe and wonder they were staring in the disbelief that a car company known for great looking cars could produce a van that looked like a milk crate on wheel (sorry milk crate). Oddly enough, Fiat was able to sell over 300,000 models worldwide.
Good news! Fiat has released a Doblo that actually looks pretty okay. It isn't the best looking cargo van on the street, but it is defiantly a step in the right direction. The exterior has been updated by blacking out of the a-pillars to fuse the windscreen and side windows together giving a much more modern look to the front end. The wheel wells have been pumped out a little bit to give that area much beefier look and Fiat has added thicker bumpers to both ends of the Doblo. The thicker bumpers serve the dual purpose of updating the look and giving more protection.
The Doblo has a great cargo area that is very easy to access thanks to the hinged doors at the back and the optional sliding side doors. The back opening gives a hefty size of 1,231mm wide and 1,250mm high. The back end is also only 545mm off the ground making it easy to get payloads in and out no matter the size.
Fiat is offering the Doblo in being offered in a nice range of models. The cargo comes in a choice two different roof heights that take include load volumes of 3.4 square meters and 4.2 square meters. The Doblo also is offered in two different wheelbases. There is also a platform cab option as well as a Combi version that comes with a second row of seats.
One complaint that Fiat never received about Doblo were the engines. Fiat has always provided a superior power plant under the hood and the Doblo has even better choices than before. The entry level engine is a nice 1.3-litre 16-valve JTD that uses a common rail system. The 1.3-litre offers 75bhp of power and gets about 50mpg combined. Another option is the 8-valve 1.9-litre diesel powered JTD that comes with 105bhp that uses the Fiat UniJet injection technology. The last engine choice is the 1.4-litre 77bhp petrol powered machine.
Owners who need the Doblo for treks out to the country on b-roads will be very pleased with the gentle ride the van offers. Fiat uses the traditional MacPherson strut system at the front of the vehicle and opts for a transverse linkage hinged from the central anchor point. This set up allows for a little more give over most types of bumps.
The interior of the Doblo is a professional drivers dream. Fiat has updated the interior look to have a more stylish feel by taking away the grey plastic and putting in a lush interior with multiple colour choices. Drivers will also be pleased with the sizable door pockets for storage as well as the shelf above the windscreen. The seat is positioned in a way they will allow the driver to comfortably sit upright and see everything they need to see. All models of the Doblo come standard with power steering, adjustable steering wheel, electric windows, central locking and a CD stereo. Cost upgrades include a TomTom satellite navigation system and/or hands free telephone system.
Business owners trying to make a bold impression while still saving some money will enjoy what the Doblo has to offer. The better styling combined with quality engine choices offered here by Fiat will be very hard to beat.
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