Andrew MMM Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 In case you missed this: After months of speculation, the new-look Fiat Ducato has finally been revealed, hot on the heels of the new Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Relay.Read all about it HERE What do think of it/them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Fiat: generally good engines, poor gearboxes, cheap electrical components. (This opinion applies to both vans and cars) all makes for higher maintenance costs. I've never owned a Citroen or Peugeot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 It's a bit more dramatic than I was expecting; I think it looks good. There is a lot of Peugeot DNA in the bonnet shape but it looks fine as a Fiat too. Will they have sorted out the crappy windscreen scuttle that leaks into the engine bay? Doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 No problems with the looks. Although I have never thought a van or a motorhome looks "good" as in the way some cars can elicit an emotion. Vans are utilitarian by their nature and will never be classed as beautiful. The fuel performance figures seem impressive - if only something near to that were possible on a motorhome. Well one can but wish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Fuller details (and photos) can be found here http://jomomag.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/first-psa-group-launch-their-versions.html#gpluscomments http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/fiat-ducato-facelift-2014-aufgefrischter-transporter-8313358.html http://www.tf1.fr/auto-moto/photo/le-fourgon-citroen-jumper-2014-en-photos-officielles-8404483.html#photo/1 The modifications to the frontal appearance pretty much match the guesses made from 2013 spy-photos of prototypes. There are also minor changes to the rear-light treatment. When I spoke to a motorhome dealer recently I was given the impression that the Ducato changes would include a move to Euro 6 motors, but I now see that September 2015 is the change date, not 2014. Although nothing to do with the 2014 facelift, the 3rd Ducato photo on the following webpage shows an interesting lift-up cantilevered tailgate that's presumably a 'bespoke' adaptation. http://www.carsbase.com/photo/Fiat_Ducato_model_5272.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Jeez...it was pig ugly to start with! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldi Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Afternoon folks, This is a nice looking facelifted van and anatural progreson of design The lift uptailgate is from Mussa & Graziano coachbuilders of turin which is very mpressive. norm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 As pretty and useful as that tailgate option is for loading luggage; it can no longer function as an emergency exit so i expect rear passengers are issued with toffee hammers to break the glass if required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamw Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Interesting that the bonnet now appears to run the full length of the scuttle which hopefully gives them the opportunity to sort the scuttle issue. Lowering the headlights also should make it easier to amend the scuttle design. I live in hope. It also looks as though the vertical edge at either side of the bonnet is now gone where water could simply run off into the engine bay. I would imagine that van converters would be very pleased if the restyled rear light clusters now allowed access to the bulbs from the outside without having to make provision for access from the inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 AliB - 2014-04-24 1:18 PM No problems with the looks. Although I have never thought a van or a motorhome looks "good" as in the way some cars can elicit an emotion. Vans are utilitarian by their nature and will never be classed as beautiful. The fuel performance figures seem impressive - if only something near to that were possible on a motorhome. Well one can but wish. Have to disagree; our van stirs my emotions, just looking at it starts the endorphins flowing,and whenever I get into it; "holidays" have that effect. Even a brick can be beautiful; and I prefer the current model; new one's front end is too fussy. And why would a PVC not achieve the fuel performance figures? 44mpg would be pretty good, I've generally achieved 30-32mpg and been satisfied! Maybe I need to take some lead out of my shoe? (or be more accurate with my mpg checking) regards alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chausson le mor Posted April 24, 2014 Share Posted April 24, 2014 Hmm looks just like my Renault Master 3! Have they clone'd it!!!!! (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliB Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 snowie - 2014-04-24 5:22 PM Have to disagree; our van stirs my emotions, just looking at it starts the endorphins flowing,and whenever I get into it; "holidays" have that effect. But that's the excitement of where you are going not the form factor of the method of transport. Even a brick can be beautiful; I'll try that on the wife then " Darling you have a face like a brick" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowie Posted April 25, 2014 Share Posted April 25, 2014 AliB - 2014-04-25 4:42 PM But that's the excitement of where you are going not the form factor of the method of transport. The van is the embodiment of that excitement, and would not be as intense if it didn't "look the part" I'll try that on the wife then " Darling you have a face like a brick" I don't think that's a good idea! alan b Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith T Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Still looks identifiable as FIAT, some slight improvement in the lines maybe, but I think it still is the best looking van and Motorhome front on the market, although other than some new Ford Vans I have not seen any MH bodied- ones as yet. In my view the new Renaults and Mercs are simply ugly! Lets hope the 'workings' of the new FIAT won't produce and nasties! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Hi all; Had a good look at the Citroen version at the Commercial Vehicle Show yesterday and was pretty impressed. The daft panels above and below the headlamps have gone and you can get to the rear of the lamps much more easily to change bulbs. Best of all though is that the windscreen scuttle is completely changed and from what I can see it should be much better at keeping water from dripping onto the engine. It remains to be seen how effective it is; but it looks very promising. The rear lamps on the panel van have changed for what i think is a less attractive design but it's ok. Compared to the new Transit, which I find to be vomit inducingly ugly and mildly refreshed grilles on the Renault Master; The new Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat vans are very attractive indeed. From an equipment point of view, the Fiat Ducato's will now all have the EBD, ABS etc etc kit that has been fitted to Euro 5 vans since 2012 but they will all get hill holder as standard. We always order Air con, fog lights, bluetooth (now standard) and a few other bits and pieces but now all Ducat's can be ordered with a 'Tecno' pack that includes everything we normally want plus the 5" touchscreeen with DAB radio and TOM TOM navigation all built in for less than what we used to pay! I definitely recommend anyone that can order the spec that they want to add this pack if they can. I can't tell for sure yet about the chassis cabs but all of the vans will now have a composite (plastic, to you and me) rear leaf spring instead of steel. These save a lot of weight and while it sounds scary; Renault did this on the master in 1999 without any problems, so I am welcoming the increase in payload that this will bring. I am pretty excited about some of these changes and think the vehicle will be a worthy progression of the vehicle. Whether the new 4250KG GVW version is really up to the job remains to be seen, particularly when people start upping this to 5000KG! For them, there is the imminent arrival of the ALL new Iveco Daily. They have altered the suspension in order to reduce the loading heights of the vans which should yield benefits for conversions. The wheelbases have all been changed too to get rid of some of the insane rear over-hangs that they had and the bodies of the vans are squarer with resulting increases in volume. The biggest Ducato panel van is 17m3 with the extra high roof. The biggest Daily will be 20m3!! That's got you thinking, hasn't it? This is the least ugly Daily that there has ever been too. The atrocious rear door hinges have been binned as well. I actually see me ordering some for our fleet and the last time we did that was 2006, and swore never to again by 2009! Full details and ordering info has arrived at Fiat dealers and Iveco data will be available in the next few weeks. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthur49 Posted May 2, 2014 Share Posted May 2, 2014 Thank you Nick. I'm not in the market for a new van at the moment but i do appreciate you taking the time to record your impressions of the new vans Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebeaches Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 Yes, belated thanks to Nick, Andrew and Derek for the interesting information about the new facelifted Ducato! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobs Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 The C&CC magazine talks of the new model having a "reinforced clutch" whilst MMM talks of "enhancements to the lifespan" of the clutch. It is perhaps early days but does Nick or anyone know what has been done and whether in due course it will be available for retrofit to earlier X250's. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamw Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Details seem thin on the ground at the moment. Only comment I can find from Fiat relating to the clutch is this: 'Clutch durability has also been improved by adopting a new hydraulic actuator on 2.3 MultiJet II engines and by reducing the transmission ratio on the 3.0 MultiJet engine in order to minimise the forces transmitted to the clutch and increase performance, particularly when laden or driving in demanding driving conditions'. The most detailed press release from Fiat that I can find is: http://www.fiatprofessionalpress.co.uk/press/article/5319 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobalobs Posted June 17, 2014 Share Posted June 17, 2014 Thanks for that. Is a "hydraulic clutch actuator" the same as a clutch slave cylinder? If so in the old days I would have thought a retrofit a possibility but nowadays all sorts of difficulties seem to arrive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted June 20, 2014 Share Posted June 20, 2014 I won't know until i get a parts disc that includes the new vehicles. If it IS a modified part, it might be retro-fittable but you would need to remove the gearbox to do so as this is a concentric slave cylinder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corky 8 Posted June 21, 2014 Share Posted June 21, 2014 I await the first owners report to see if fiat have learned any lessons from their past Mistakes, But I personally would never want to own one, not even if it was given Free. the "New" Model does not look that much different from older models, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euroserv Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Corky 8 - 2014-06-21 5:27 PMI await the first owners report to see if fiat have learned any lessons from their past Mistakes, But I personally would never want to own one, not even if it was given Free. the "New" Model does not look that much different from older models, IMO.Not even for free? Really?I have just been changing a fuel filter on a Merc 2.2What a faff! This has to be the most insanely complicated procedure ever, and with no less than 3 connections that have flimsy plastic bits to break off. Flimsy plastic and jubilee clips. Nonsense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamw Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Corky 8 - 2014-06-21 5:27 PM the "New" Model does not look that much different from older models, IMO. That would appear eminently sensible to me. With Fiat supplying the greatest number of vehicles of all manufacturers for conversion into motorhomes any changes to the shape would have major implications and hence costs for converters. They appear to have concentrated on improving the function of the vehicle rather than trying to catch the eye with a new shape which I think a lot of us welcome. As with all vehicles there is always scope for improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerC Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 http://www.postmodernmoron.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/the-joker-7899102.jpg...........Looks like a bit of a 'Joke' to me........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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