FIAT

ENTER THE WAGON The Fiat Doblo has been facelifted and smartened up. Steve Ghosley takes a look at the 1.4-litre entry level petrol model

Fiat’s Doblo is never going to win any prizes in a beauty contest but what it loses on looks it makes up for in practicality and usability. With the previous model you got exactly what you expected – a practical but ugly ducking. Fiat’s latest offering is still no oil painting but the styling changes have produced a vehicle with a certain charm and practicality that we explore here with the 1.4-litre entry-level petrol model.

The rather odd looking front end has been thoroughly revised, Fiat ditching the gratuitously odd-looking horizontal bar that appeared plastered onto the front of the old car for a look that’s more like a compact 4x4. Bigger headlamps and wider underbumper intakes give the Doblo a little presence without looking like it’s been tagged by the ugly stick. The latest changes are likely to put the Fiat onto the shortlists of many buyers who previously rejected it on the grounds that it looked a little unconventional. Prices for the 1.4-litre petrol model we look at here start at £10,220 and there’s a choice of two trim levels – Active and plusher Dynamic for £11,120. The old Doblo, from unpromising beginnings, developed into quite a decent package. It was certainly good enough - from a technical perspective at least - to worry the likes of the Citroën Berlingo Multispace, the Renault Kangoo and the Peugeot Partner Combi, the big players in the van-based MPV sector. The old 1.2-litre petrol powerplant has felt the weight of Fiat’s axe, being supplanted in this instance by the 77bhp 1.4-litre unit we’re testing here. An extra 12bhp makes a lot of difference when you’re toting a fully loaded Doblo. One of the objectives in the design of this engine was to maximize torque at low speed in order to make urban driving as easy as possible and to minimize fuel consumption. On the combined cycle, the latest Doblo returns a healthy 38.2mpg and flat out it will reach a heady top speed of 92mph. The 0-60mph sprint is a little irrelevant for a vehicle of this class but for the record, it takes a leisurely 17.0 seconds. Certainly fast enough when transporting such a precious cargo as your nearest and dearest. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is fully EURO4 compliant and discharges only 174g/km of CO2.

"The latest styling changes are likely to put the Fiat onto the shortlists of many MPV buyers…."

What will be of more relevance to prospective purchasers is the cavernous load bay. That rudimentary rear suspension comes into its own here, as it allows for a near perfectly flat floor, and the almost vertical sides of the Doblo help to create a 750-litre load space with the seats in place and a gargantuan 3,000 litres with the seats folded. The interior styling of this car has always been more conservative than that of the exterior and the latest revisions have brought things further up to date, successfully masking the Doblo’s commercial vehicle origins. There’s a two-tone dash and by excising body-coloured metal from the doors, Fiat have upped the perceived quality factor a tad. Standard equipment is generous, with base Active trim including electric front windows, remote central locking, twin airbags, ‘follow me home’ lights, a height-adjustable steering wheel, power assisted steering, ABS brakes with EBD, a radio/cassette player, a split folding rear seat, three rear seatbelts and head restraints all round. The Dynamic adds body-coloured bumpers, fog lights, a radio/CD player, air-conditioning, a CD player and 15-inch alloy wheels. To get a perspective of where the Doblo fits into the marketplace, it’s probably best to consider its rivals. Primarily, these include the Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo Multispace. Whilst cars in this class are still by no means common sights on UK roads, sales in this sector have rocketed over the last four years. Which is good news for those manufacturers that make them, since cars like these are cheap to design and build, with many of the costs already absorbed by the van variants on which they’re based. The Doblo is certainly good business for Fiat. Built using low-cost labour in Turkey, it’s the last Fiat to utilise a conventional steel chassis rather than the more advanced ‘spaceframe’ system used for the larger Multipla mini-MPV. As such, it represents rugged and, above all, cheap engineering, with a design that keeps the basic costs down. In addition and uniquely in this market segment, the Doblò can be specified as a High Roof version for an additional £750. This format offers a capacious interior volume, making this Fiat ideal for use as a Motability vehicle, or in the rapidly expanding taxi market. The combination of five seats and cavernous luggage space make this Doblo an ideal taxi vehicle. No matter how good a car is in terms of practicality and usability, if it doesn’t look right it won’t sell in sufficient numbers to be a success. The previous model of the Doblo suffered in this way. You wouldn’t necessarily pick the latest incarnation as the first choice in a beauty pageant but at least the nips and tucks are all in the right places. The larger 1.4-litre engine provides a significant difference for petrol customers,making this Doblo a shrewd choice for anyone who isn’t big on styling.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Doblo 1.4-litre range PRICES: £10,220-£11,120 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 174g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 17.0s / Max Speed 92mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [Urban] 30.7mpg, [extra Urban] 44.8mpg,[combined] 38.2mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags / 3-point seatbelts WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4159/1714/1800mm

ROBUST ITALIAN ECONOMY Fiat has transformed its van-based Doblo mini-MPV with smarter styling and an impressive range of diesel engines. Jonathan Crouch looks at the 1.9-litre Multijet versions…

If at first you don’t succeed… well look at Fiat’s experience with their Doblo, an affordable van-based people-carrying mini-MPV. When first launched, it was a weird looking car with a poor diesel engine that was unforgivable in this sector. Today, styling changes have transformed its appearance and Fiat have inserted under the bonnet arguably the sector’s best diesel line-up of engines.

Sales of van-based MPVs have rocketed over the past few years. Much of the credit for this goes to Renault and Citroen, but Fiat are targeting the market with this revised Doblo and look to possess the most appealing package. Five years ago, European sales of this kind of car amounted to 59,000 – hardly enough to bother the major players – but as more and more manufacturers took a tentative toe in the water, the true potential was revealed. The Doblo has always done well in diesel form and, since the recent facelift, there’s a wider choice than ever for family buyers, starting with the 1.3-litre Multijet unit and culminating with the two 1.9-litre Multijet powerplants we look at here in 105 and 120bhp guises. Prices start from £11,510 for the 105 and £11,910 for the 120. There are three trim choices – Active, Family and Dynamic. As already suggested, original Doblos had styling that was, to put it kindly, rather challenging. These days however, the facelift changes make it, from some angles anyway, really rather appealing. Bigger headlamps and wider underbumper intakes give the car a little presence without looking like it’s been tagged by the ugly stick. If you’re shopping for a 1.9-litre Multijet model and go for the 120bhp version, there’s also (for an £800 premium) the option of a 7-seat Family version featuring the addition of a third row of passenger accommodation in the form of a sliding, foldable bench seat. This is the most affordable 7-seater MPV in the UK market today. In addition, uniquely in this market segment, the Doblò can be specified as a High Roof version, this format offering capacious interior volume and making this Fiat ideal for use as a Motability vehicle, or in the rapidly expanding taxi market.

"Think carefully. Do you really need anything more than this car can offer? If the answer is ‘no’, buy a Doblo…."

Although yet to make the same sort of impact as ‘conventional’ mini-MPVs, van-based versions are, as we have noted, on the up. Fiat, who have great experience producing low cost ‘world cars’ like the Palio, realised that here was a sector almost tailor made for them and developed the Doblo using low-cost labour in Turkey. As such it’s said to be the final Fiat to utilise a conventional steel chassis rather than the more advanced ‘spaceframe’ system used for the Multipla. This being the case, it represents rugged and, above all, cheap engineering that keeps the basic costs down. In a sector where pragmatism scores highly, that can only be a good thing. The interior styling is more conservative than the Doblo’s still somewhat unusual exterior, and the latest revisions have brought things further up to date, successfully masking the Doblo’s commercial vehicle origins. Standard equipment is generous with base Active trim including electric front windows, remote central locking, twin airbags, a split folding rear seat, three rear seatbelts and head restraints all round. Dynamic adds air-conditioning, ABS, a CD player, front fog lights and alloy wheels. Should you really want to go to town (and not get lost) you could even splash out on Fiat’s excellent CONNECT Nav+ which can give route guidance, take you to the nearest branch of Pizza Hut and a whole host of other ingenious features. It can’t yet render screaming children unconscious but perhaps that feature will arrive in CONNECT v2.2. Though the latest Doblo offers a new 1.4-litre petrol option, if you’re going to buy this car, you really want a diesel version. Though the 1.3-litre Multijet entry-level variant is tempting, it is very similarly priced to the 1.9-litre versions and does have only 85bhp on tap. All of which may make many family motorists likely to use the car on longer journeys conclude that one of the 1.9-litre Multijet units offer a better bet. If our experiences are anything to go by, they could well be right. Even in the 105bhp variant, torque (or pulling power through the gears) is impressive at 151 lb/ft, reducing the need to row the car along with the gearlever in town and often negating the need to downshift when overtaking out on the open road. Overall? Well, if you’re buying in this category, think very carefully. Do you really need anything more than this car can offer? If the answer is ‘no’, buy a Doblo, spend the likely saving over an opposition model on a secondhand fun car for the weekend – and feel very smug. You’ve earned the right to be.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Doblo 1.9 Multijet range PRICES: £11,510-£12,810 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 153-160g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.9 105bhp] 0-60mph 13.3s / Max Speed 102mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.9 105bhp] [urban] 37.7mpg / [extra urban] 58.9mpg / [combined] 48.7mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front & side airbags WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4159/1714/1800mm

BETTER LOOKING BY DESIGN Fiat have smartened up the Doblo’s act in recent times. Andy Enright takes a look at a prettier proposition

"Whoah! Don’t fancy yours much." That was the emotion I interpreted from fellow drivers in Turin’s traffic the first time I drove a Fiat Doblo. You couldn’t fault its practicality, its rugged build or its aggressive pricing but when it came to aesthetics, let’s just say the Doblo had a nice personality. Fiat have been beautifying their range of late, taking a scalpel to the excesses of the Multipla, launching the quite startling Grande Punto and now giving the Doblo a nip and tuck. It’s never going to turn it into an object of widespread desire but the latest version is no longer quite such an eyesore.

The rather odd looking front end has been thoroughly revised, Fiat ditching the gratuitously odd-looking horizontal bar that appeared plastered onto the front of the old car for a look that’s more like a compact 4x4. Bigger headlamps and wider underbumper intakes give the Doblo a little presence without looking like it’s been tagged by the ugly stick. The changes are likely to put the Fiat onto the shortlists of many buyers who previously rejected it on the grounds that it looked a little unconventional. Prices start at £10,220 and there’s a choice of three trim levels – Active, Dynamic and 7-seat Family. The availability of the 7-seat Family version reinforces the versatility of the Doblò range, with the addition of a third row of passenger accommodation in the form of a sliding, foldable bench seat. This is the most affordable 7-seater MPV in the UK market today. In addition, uniquely in this market segment, the Doblò can be specified as a High Roof version, this format offering capacious interior volume and making this Fiat ideal for use as a Motability vehicle, or in the rapidly expanding taxi market. The old Doblo, from unpromising beginnings, developed into quite a decent package. It was certainly good enough – from a technical perspective at least - to worry the likes of the Citroën Berlingo Multispace, the Renault Kangoo and the Peugeot Partner Combi, the big players in the van-based MPV sector.

"Doblo buyers need no longer be concerned about their vehicle frightening small children"

After this vehicle’s original launch, the company did themselves a big favour by ditching the lousy 1.9D diesel engine and replacing it with the 70bhp 16-valve Multijet diesel. The contrast was just night and day and excised the Achilles heel from the Doblo line up. This engine has now been massaged out to 85bhp, while a pair of 1.9-litre Multijet diesel powerplants of 105 and 120bhp are also offered. The old 1.2-litre petrol powerplant has felt the weight of Fiat’s axe, being supplanted in this instance by a 77bhp 1.4-litre unit. An extra 12bhp makes a lot of difference when you’re toting a fully loaded Doblo. The 1.3-litre diesel unit is likely to be the big seller and it’s a very impressive piece of engineering. In traditional diesel engines, fuel is fed to the injectors by a mechanical pump, the injection pressure rising with the rpm of the engine. This has repercussions on how efficiently the fuel is burnt, leading to noise, poor emissions and so-so fuel economy. A common-rail engine, however, maintains a constant injection pressure regardless of the weight of the driver’s right boot, the Unijet injectors also using so-called pilot injection to pre-warm the combustion chamber. This decreases noise, and vibration. Fire up the Doblo 1.9-litre JTD and you’ll appreciate the technology. The 1.3-litre Multijet engine is a progression from the JTD, it divides that main injection into a series of smaller shots, the idea being to reduce emissions and noise while at the same time increasing performance. This latest version of the 1.3-litre engine is quoted at 200Nm of torque – exactly the same as the two 1.9-litre engines. What will be of more relevance to prospective purchasers is the cavernous load bay. That rudimentary rear suspension comes into its own here, as it allows for a near perfectly flat floor, and the almost vertical sides of the Doblo help to create a 750-litre load space with the seats in place and a gargantuan 3,000 litres with the seats folded. Opt for the Family version and all that space is partially filled by two extra seats albeit seats that are really only suitable for smaller children. That’s a 7-seat MPV for about £12,105 and that can’t be bad. The interior styling is more conservative, and the latest revisions have brought things further up to date, successfully masking the Doblo’s commercial vehicle origins. There’s a two-tone dash and by excising body-coloured metal from the doors, Fiat have upped the perceived quality factor a tad. Standard equipment is generous with base Active trim including electric front windows, remote central locking, twin airbags, a split folding rear seat, three rear seatbelts and head restraints all round. Go for the Family version and there’s ABS and front fog lights amongst other things, while the Dynamic adds air-conditioning, a CD player and alloy wheels. To get a perspective of where the Doblo fits into the marketplace, it’s probably best to consider its rivals. These include the Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo Multispace. Whilst these are still by no means common sights on UK roads, sales in this class have rocketed over the last four years. In many ways, this is good business for Fiat. Built using low-cost labour in Turkey, the Doblo is the last Fiat to utilise a conventional steel chassis rather than the more advanced ‘spaceframe’ system used for the Multipla. As such, it represents rugged and, above all, cheap engineering that keeps the basic costs down. Two variants of the Doblo design are available: the Doblo car, as we have here, and also the Doblo Cargo, a commercial van with numerous different body permutations. To further emphasise the Doblo’s status as a ‘world car’, a factory in Brazil produces Doblos to cater for the huge South and Central American markets. If you are trying to build a reliable, bulletproof mode of transportation, you need low maintenance, dependable workhorse engines. This was both the Doblo’s greatest asset in emerging markets and its Achilles heel in the eyes of more sophisticated Western European consumers, accustomed as they are to more refined fare. And two of the three the engines available in the Doblo couldn’t really be described as either the first nor last word in refinement. Now, though, things have changed. The old agricultural diesels were consigned to the scrapheap and the engine range has taken on a refreshingly modern tone. The Doblo was always a very good car saddled with a face that could curdle milk from fifty paces. The latest model’s nip and tuck puts it at the forefront of van-based MPVs. If you’re looking for a vehicle of this type, try your Fiat dealership last. Then you’ll see.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Doblo range PRICES: £10,220-£12,810 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 145-174g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.3 Multijet] 0-60mph 16.4s / Max Speed 97mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.3 Multijet] (urban) 42.2mpg / (extra urban) 58.9mpg / (combined) 51.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags / 3-point seatbelts WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4159/1714/1800mm

CARGO COULD GO FAR Fiat’s Doblo Cargo Van now has the style to go with its undoubted substance. Steve Walker Reports…

Looks do matter, even when we’re talking commercial vehicles and anyone who tries to tell you otherwise should be politely reminded of Fiat’s Doblo Cargo. A highly capable van in almost every respect, the little Fiat was held back from achieving the recognition it deserved in the marketplace by styling that could best be described as challenging. Despite this, the vehicle’s underlying qualities still shone through its gawky façade to help it rack-up 310,000 worldwide sales and, now that the thorny cosmetic issue has been addressed, today’s version looks equipped to build on that success.

The Doblo wasn’t the first Fiat to be slightly scuppered at the initial design stage. The whole saga mirrors that of the Multipla MPV which arrived to widespread critical acclaim in the press but sporting one of the most ungainly vehicular front-ends in living memory. Every correspondent who waxed lyrical about its ground-breaking packaging and supreme practicality then felt obliged to insert the caveat that nobody would buy the car because it looked so odd. It’s a little sad but true that we Brits prefer the staid to the extraordinary when it comes to the way our cars look and the same goes for our commercial vehicles. Fiat’s Doblo Cargo (along with its Doblo passenger car sibling) was never quite as visually outlandish as the Multipla but the chunky latticework grille, the horizontal bar that split the headlamps and that snout-effect sloping bonnet line meant it stood-out big time from its rivals. As with the Multipla, Fiat eventually caved in and commissioned a thorough facelift. Today’s Doblo Cargo unceremoniously ditches most of the design cues that made its predecessor the most distinctive small van on the UK market. It’s still striking to look at by van standards but in a more uniform and subtle way. The large headlamps curve round into the vehicle’s flanks at the corners and the frontal aspect is dominated by the clean planes of the oversize bumper inserts. These sit either side of a highly Audi-esque grille and under-bumper arrangement. The Doblo’s rounded-off side windows remain, as do the side mirrors with their body-coloured stripes. There are hefty side rubbing strips to protect the bodywork and the rear lights have been tweaked too.

"Engines have never been a problem for the Doblo Cargo, at least since Fiat’s JTD common-rail diesel units came on the scene"

Less obvious to the casual observer is the fact that the current Doblo Cargo is a teensy bit bigger. Measuring in 91mm longer, 6mm wider and 10mm lower than its predecessor while riding on a 2,583mm wheelbase that’s increased from 2,566mm, it has expanded in every direction. In standard form, this growth translates into a 3.2m3 load volume that can be grown to 3.8m3 if you opt for a high roof derivative. These load volumes significantly outstrip rivals like Citroen’s Berlingo and Renault’s Kangoo, while the Doblo Cargo’s payload capacity of 730kg is class competitive. The loadbay is accessed through the asymmetrically split side-hinged rear doors and if you upgrade to the SX trim level, a pair of sliding side-doors are also added. Engines have never been a problem for the Doblo Cargo, at least since Fiat’s JTD common-rail diesel units came on the scene. Refined, flexible and utilising the latest Multijet engine control technology, the entry-level 16-valve 1.3-litre JTD unit is a second-generation common-rail diesel. There’s 75bhp at 4,000rpm on offer here and 140lb/ft of torque as low as 1,750rpm making the Doblo feel quicker than its performance figures suggest. You should also be able to average over 50mpg. The 8-valve 1.9 JTD remains at the pinnacle of the Doblo Cargo range. This 105bhp engine is of the first generation common-rail configuration and utilises Fiat’s Unijet injection system. It’s not as advanced as the 1.3-litre but it’s faster and nearly as economical. Maximum torque is 147lb/ft and it arrives at 1,750rpm. Buyers looking for real pace might feel like holding fire until two more engines arrive in the near future. An 85bhp version of the 1.3-litre unit and a 120bhp 1.9 JTD will add some real spice to the line-up when they come on stream. The final engine choice is the cheapest in the range, a 1.4-litre 77bhp unit. Petrol is often viewed as a dirty word amongst commercial vehicle buyers but this engine is feisty and provides respectable economy. There’s not as much torque as with the diesels but the petrol is more refined and could be enough to tempt a few buyers away from the black pumps. Regardless of the engine fitted, the Doblo Cargo handles sweetly with good weight and feel to the steering plus plenty of grip. Internally, the Doblo is a vibrant proposition with some particularly lurid trim colours available to match the 12 different exterior paintwork options. This vivid approach certainly livens up the driver’s working environment and makes a change from the traditional CV choice of grey cloth or wipe-clean vinyl. The fabric seems suitably hardwearing and the plastics tough. There’s a shelf above the windscreen providing extra storage, along with decent sized-door pockets. Dashboard-mounted gearlevers are usually included to let the driver slide across and exit via the passenger door but the Doblo’s console sticks out too far to make this an easy manoeuvre. Otherwise, there’s little to criticise here: the unusual styling theme carries over well from the exterior but not at the expense of functionality. The driving position is upright and visibility is good, combining with the tight 10.5m turning circle to make the Doblo Cargo a very malleable small van. If you’re one of the small van buyers who shunned the Fiat Doblo Cargo because of its ugly duckling appearance, now’s the time to revisit it. The transformation is hardly in the beautiful swan league (it’s more a case of significantly smartened-up duck) but that will be enough to satisfy most. This practical, well engineered, fine driving and, now, good looking van could be about to take its deserved place on centre stage.

Facts At A Glance VAN: Fiat Doblo Cargo ENGINE OPTIONS: 1.4 77bhp (petrol) / 1.3JTD 75bhp, 1.9JTD 105bhp (diesel) PAYLOAD: 730kg LOAD VOLUME: 3.2/3.8m3 WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4250/1720/1810mm

ARE WE THERE JET? Fiat’s Doblo 1.3 Multijet models are a great way of moving the family about cheaply and without any undue aggravation. Steve Walker reports…

Let’s face it, life with a young family can, sometimes, become a little bit trying. No matter how plausibly adoring parents radiate happiness as they regale you with details of their adorable offspring’s first words, steps, teeth or hair, you always suspect that behind the façade they’re absolutely cream-crackered. So why make things more taxing than they already are? Fiat’s Doblo 1.3 Multijet is a simple vehicle designed to eliminate some of the hassle from family life so that parents and kids can get on with enjoying the good stuff.

Sleepless nights, dirty nappies, temper tantrums, seemingly endless expense, people with growing families have enough to struggle through without a vehicle that’s ill-suited to their needs. With the Doblo MPV, Fiat have addressed the problem by breaking down the modern family’s requirements for space, durability and affordability to their basic levels. They’ve stripped away the superfluities found on many so-called family vehicles (the stuff that’s largely there just to make dad feel better about getting behind the wheel) and the result is the Doblo - a simple, functional, light, airy, playpen on wheels. Actually, forget all that. The Fiat Doblo is essentially just a van with seats but that’s its genius. You’d think that family MPVs and commercial vehicles would be designed with two very different sets of criteria in mind but the Doblo is proof that one basic model can fulfil both purposes. The Doblo Cargo van has space to move bulky items around, wide access points for easy loading and unloading, tough interior trim designed to stand up to the rigours of the daily grind and economical engines like Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet diesel to keep running costs down. The Doblo MPV, which is very similar in its make-up to the Cargo, benefits from the same cavernous interior space that can be used to seat five or seven people while leaving room for luggage as well. There’s masses of headroom, creating a fresh airiness that reduces the likelihood of children getting cramped and irritable. The sliding side doors and huge tailgate all open wide, creating excellent access for getting kids in and out, doing up their seatbelts, fixing car seats in place and stowing bikes or pushchairs. Every parent knows that children have a spooky in-built capacity for making a pigsty of a car in minutes but the Doblo’s basic and tough commercial vehicle design means the trim should stand-up well to little fingers pulling it, scratching it and colouring it in with crayons.

"The Fiat Doblo is essentially just a van with seats but that’s its genius…"

Then we come to the engine. Just as vans must be reliable and cost-effective to run so as to avoid eating into a business’s profit margins, a family MPV must be reliable and cost-effective to run so as to avoid crippling the family budget. Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet is well suited to both tasks. Its on-paper performance is fairly woeful with a full 16-seconds required to reach 60mph and a fair bit longer than that needed to approach the 97mph top speed but in real world driving conditions, things aren’t quite as bad as those figures suggest. There’s 133lb/ft of torque at just 1,750rpm which means you can accelerate with some urgency up to 30mph or so and what urge there is won’t be diminished too drastically by the presence of a heavy load on board. Fuel economy is excellent as well, with Fiat quoting a 51mpg average. The 1.3-litre Multijet engine is one of three Euro IV-compliant diesel units offered with the Doblo and while the pricier 105 and 120bhp 1.9-litre JTD units offer much improved performance, the smaller Multijet is a more advanced powerplant. All the engines use the common-rail configuration that’s fast becoming a byword for economy and refinement in diesel cars but where the 1.9 JTD is what Fiat refer to as a Unijet engine, the 1.3-litre unit uses second generation Multijet technology. In traditional diesel engines, fuel is fed to the injectors by a mechanical pump, the injection pressure rising with the rpm of the engine. This has repercussions on how efficiently the fuel is burnt, leading to noise, poor emissions and so-so fuel economy. A common-rail engine, however, maintains a constant injection pressure regardless of the weight of the driver’s right boot, the Unijet injectors also using so-called pilot injection to pre-warm the combustion chamber. This decreases noise, and vibration. Fire up the Doblo 1.9-litre JTD and you’ll appreciate the technology. The 1.3-litre Multijet engine is a progression from the JTD, it divides that main injection into a series of smaller shots, the idea being to reduce emissions and noise while at the same time increasing performance. Unfortunately, there’s no substitute for cubic capacity and the 1.3-litre Multijet is some distance shy of the 1.9-litre Unijet in terms of its driving experience. Having said that, it is noticeably more refined and average fuel consumption is improved - though only by a few mpg. The originally rather odd looking front end has been thoroughly revised in recent times, Fiat ditching the gratuitously odd-looking horizontal bar that appeared plastered onto the front of the old car for a look that’s more like a compact 4x4. Bigger headlamps and wider underbumper intakes give the Doblo a little presence without looking like it’s been tagged by the ugly stick. The changes are likely to put the Fiat onto the shortlists of many buyers who previously rejected it on the grounds that it looked a little unconventional. The interior styling is more conservative still, and the latest revisions have brought things further up to date. Standard equipment is generous with base Active trim including electric front windows, remote central locking, twin airbags, a split folding rear seat, three rear seatbelts and head restraints all round. Go for the Family version and there’s 7-seats, ABS and front fog lights amongst other things, but the range-topping Dynamic level is not offered with the 1.3-litre Multijet engine. The Fiat Doblo 1.3 Multijet models are uncomplicated and efficient family cars. Prices start at just £11,305, which is inexpensive in anyone’s money, and the Family version at £12,105 is probably the cheapest 7-seat vehicle out there. Despite the Multijet’s technological superiority, the 1.9-litre JTD will be the preferable option for many because of its vastly superior performance and reasonable £300 price premium but parents making short trips around town won’t miss the extra urge too much and may prefer to put the money towards Junior’s college fund.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Fiat Doblo 1.3 Multijet range PRICES: £11,305-£12,205 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 145g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 16.4s / Max Speed 97mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [urban] 42.2mpg / [extra urban] 58.9mpg / [combined] 51.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags / 3-point seatbelts WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4159/1714/1800mm

TURIN BREAKS Models Covered: Five-door van-based MPV (1. 2 petrol 1.9 diesel, 1.9JTD diesel (SX, ELX, Active, Dynamic, Family)

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Although Fiat’s Doblo wasn’t the first van-based MPV to hit the shores it has developed into one of the best. Functional rather than flashy, the Doblo answers the need for those motorists who want space and a lot of it. Although sales to date have been unspectacular, the right used Doblo offers a lot of car for the money.

Launched in the UK in June 2001, the Doblo was some way behind the likes of the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and the Renault Kangoo. Nevertheless it offered a pair of robust engines and styling that was a little more adventurous. Although the 65bhp 1.2-litre petrol and 63bhp 1.9 diesel engines were an honest, if unspectacular pair of performers, it wasn’t until the arrival of the 1.9-litre JTD engined Doblo in late 2001 that the Fiat really competed fair and square with the Renault and the Peugeot. In a growing market sector Fiat had somewhat hobbled the Doblo from birth and the message that this was a vehicle well worth consideration subsequently became lost. This, more than any other, is the reason the pool of available used examples is so small. In spring 2004 the Doblo received an interior facelift, the main addition being a new two-tone dash. At the same time, the 1.9D engine bit the dust and a 1.3-litre Multijet unit arrived. The 1.2-litre petrol soldiered on and the 1.9JTD remained at the top of the range.

To get a perspective of where the Doblo fits into the marketplace, it’s probably best to consider its rivals. These include the Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo Multispace. Whilst these are by no means common sights on UK roads, sales in this class have rocketed by nearly 300% over the last four years. In many ways, this is good business for Fiat. Built using low-cost labour in Turkey, the Doblo is the last Fiat to utilise a conventional steel chassis rather than the more advanced ‘spaceframe’ system used for the Multipla. As such, it represents rugged and, above all, cheap engineering that keeps the basic costs down. Two variants of the Doblo design are available: the Doblo car, as we have here, and also the Doblo Cargo, a commercial van with no fewer than 154 different body permutations. To further emphasise the Doblo’s status as a ‘world car’, a factory in Brazil will start producing Doblos to cater for the huge South and Central American markets. If you are trying to build a reliable, bulletproof mode of transportation, you need low maintenance, dependable workhorse engines. This is both the Doblo’s greatest asset in emerging markets and its Achilles heel in the eyes of more sophisticated Western European consumers, accustomed as they are to more refined fare. What will be of more relevance to prospective purchasers is the cavernous load bay. That rudimentary rear suspension comes into its own here, as it allows for a near perfectly flat floor, and the almost vertical sides of the Doblo help to create a 750 litre load space with the seats in place and a gargantuan 3000 litres with the seats folded. Fiat claim the Doblo can carry five mountain bikes and their riders, but without recourse to a junkyard compactor, this seems difficult in practice. Fiat’s Multipla paved the way for wacky MPV styling, and won a crop of awards, but how many do you see on the roads. It seems that UK buyers preferred the more conservative lines of the Vauxhall Zafira, and it’s entirely possible that the same will happen to the Doblo. The strange amalgamation of curves and that monstrous front grille are both striking and challenging, although lacking the cutesy appeal of the Renault Kangoo. The interior styling is more conservative, with high-mounted seats giving a commanding driving position, whilst never fully concealing the Doblo’s van-based origins. It certainly represents a cost effective and modern way to haul the family about in something less than limousine levels of comfort. Nevertheless, the Doblo includes some thoughtful touches such as front and side airbags, pop-up roof rails and a swivel-opening roof hatch, two big sliding side doors and a cargo shelf above the windscreen. The seats are trimmed in a suitably hardwearing fabric for transporting young families about and all surfaces are made of sturdy materials which are intensely practical. As well as the high level shelf, numerous cubbies dot the interior, including some genuinely vast door bins.

The Doblo opens at around £3,000 for a 2001 51-plated 1.2 or 1.9D in SX trim. ELX trim for the diesel will cost another £200. The more desirable JTD SX model will command around £3,250 for a 2002 51-plated example. Insurance is, as you would expect, very reasonable, the 1.2, 1.9D and 1.9JTD SX models rated in Group 3 with the range-topping 1.9JTD ELX version scraping into Group 4.

As with all cars that get used to ferry children back and forth, check for rips, stains and other damage to upholstery and minor trim parts. This isn’t such a great problem in the Doblo because it’s so utilitarian that only the most wilfully demented child will be able to damage. Have a good look at the load bay area, as many Doblos will have been used for some pretty heavy duties. The mechanicals are proven technology and shouldn’t cause any significant worry. Despite this, check for its service history but even if it’s not completely pristine, the Doblo can usually cope. Just get it in to the garage for a once-over after purchase.

(approx based on a 2002 1.2 excl VAT) An alternator is around £80 and front brake pads are around £35 for a set. Expect to pay around £7 for an air filter and about £15 for a fuel filter, about £6 for an oil filter and about £4 for spark plugs.

There’s a non-turbocharged 1.9-litre diesel, offered in SX guise, and an infinitely preferable turbocharged JTD unit with 100bhp. The JTD makes sixty from rest some 12.4 seconds quicker (down from 20.9s to 12.4s) on the way to 104mph (up from 88mph). It also records much lower CO2 emissions and is 17% more frugal. On top of that, the unit develops a useful 148Ib ft of torque, so that there’s pulling power in every gear. This is really the engine to go for – even if you’d normally prefer the petrol option. The 65bhp 1.2-litre powerplant is rather thrashy and takes 18 seconds to reach sixty amid some frantic gear swapping. Despite this, on the road, the Doblo is surprisingly good fun to drive. A combination of very quick steering and a crude but effective rear suspension set-up means the Doblo is far more capable in the corners than its ungainly appearance would suggest. The Doblo performs well at the pumps with the 1.9D version returning a combined figure of nearly 40mpg and the JTD 44mpg, helped in no small part by a drag coefficient of only 0.32 - itself astounding for such a bluff-fronted, slab-sided vehicle.

The Doblo is a car that gets better the more you spend. To be honest neither the 1.2 or the 1.9D engines are up to snuff, especially if you plan on hauling the Doblo about fully laden. You really need to opt for the 1.9JTD version if you plan any distance work. The Doblo will appeal if you place sound economics, rugged practicality and no-nonsense mechanicals high on your list of priorities. If you need something a bit plusher, quicker or more sophisticated you’ll probably find the Doblo a little third world. Used examples are still rather thin on the ground so guaranteeing your exact trim and colour choice may be a tough task. Not half as tough as a Doblo mind…