Fiat SCUDO VAN RANGE
The
Fiat Scudo Has Always Been A Nice Van To Drive With A Loadbay Of Reasonable Size. Now With A Restyled Front End, Fiat Aim To Raise Its Profile In The Compact Van Sector. Steve Walker Reports
A change is as good as a rest, or so they say, and Fiats Scudo van had been campaigning manfully (should that be vanfully?) since 1996 without the slightest sign of a sabbatical. Theres no time to sit back and take stock in todays fiercely competitive van market, so with a rest out of the question, a change it had to be. Hence the arrival of the current Scudo - a fresher-faced take on the original that Fiat hope will assault the market leaders with renewed vigour.
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Throughout its life, the Scudo, along with the
Citroen Dispatch and
Peugeot Expert models that share its design, has always occupied a curious niche within the commercial vehicle markets overall structure. It sits snugly between the compact vans (think
Vauxhall Combo and Citroen Berlingo) and the small panel vans (think
Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes Vito), apparently sharing characteristics with both. This halfway-house positioning has long been a Scudo strong point. Drivers favouring the compact size and car-like handling of smaller vans but needing the capacity of a panel van would find a capable companion in the Scudo.
Only the nigh-on identical French offerings and Fords long-wheelbase Transit Connect can fulfil a similar remit. So what has actually changed on the latest Scudo? On viewing the vehicle from the rear or even the side, most people would be sorely tempted to do a Paul Daniels and answer not a lot. From the front though, its a different story. Weve got a deeper bumper and large clear lens headlights either side of a chunky lattice work grille with the
Fiat badge at its heart.
There are changes to the other aspects too, even if you dont immediately spot them. Thick side rubbing strips are now present to protect against parking knocks and the thin end of the original Scudos trademark wedge-shaped profile has been blunted somewhat. Inside, on the surface, you could be in the old model Scudo. The triangular flip-top ashtray in the centre console is a nice touch for the smokers out there, the dash-mounted gearstick is well located, there are good deep door pockets and the drivers
seat positions you low to the ground while retaining good all round visibility.
On the downside, the lever controls on the ventilation system do betray the vans age. Not instantly obvious to the layman hopping aboard a Scudo are the reshaped seats and a steering wheel, which can now accommodate remote controls for the standard CD stereo.
the driving experience is more compact MPV than light commercial vehicle
The Fiat Scudo is a good choice for the van driver who needs the space afforded by a larger panel van but would rather not have the hassle of manoeuvring and parking one on a daily basis. Behind the wheel of a Scudo, the driving experience is more compact MPV than light commercial vehicle. There is some body roll through the twisty bits but thats par for the course on a high-sided vehicle like this and otherwise the van feels stable and responsive. The soundproofing and vibration reduction were given attention in this current version and it shows with far less of the rumble and roar finding its way inside.
The perched driving position and flat-mounted steering wheel that characterises larger panel vans is noticeably absent and the whole vehicle feels more compact probably because it is. On the road, the Scudo may feel like a smaller van but it can carry considerably more than one. 600kg-800kg is the payload youd expect from a model in the class below but the Scudo can haul as much as 900kg. Furthermore, while 2-3m3 would be a respectable load volume in the lower sector, the Scudo manages 4m3.
That said, Fiats offering cant match the leading panel vans on this score. Mercedes Vito, with 5m3 and well over 1,000kg, or Volkswagens Transporter, with nearly 6m3 and around 1,200kg will justify their big van drive with big van capacities. The Scudo is very much a commercial vehicle for buyers whos needs fall somewhere between the two established sectors. In the engine bay, the Scudo is strong.
Two basic engine choices are offered, the entry-level 1.9D and the 2.0-litre JTD 8-valve Unijet diesel. The former is very much a budget option with the latter equalling or eclipsing it in every important area.
If youve got the money, the JTD box is the one to tick but Scudo buyers with one eye on the balance sheet will be presented with something of a selection headache. The 1.9D puts out a modest 69bhp compared to the 109bhp emanating from the JTD. The lesser engine manages 92lb/ft of torque at 2,500rpm, a figure that the JTD destroys with its 184lb/ft at 1,750rpm.
The 1.9-litres top speed is a pedestrian 86mph but youll get 103mph from the JTD. At first glance theres no contest but at second glance, while the 1.9D may be noisier, dirtier and slower, its also cheaper the tune of £1,400 and that bottom line may be all that some buyers want to see.
Its a case of each to his own but the JTD makes a compelling case for itself. Theres also a 16-valve version of the JTD engine that powers the Combi minibus. Standard equipment on the Scudo runs to power steering, a height adjustable drivers seat, seatbelt pretensioners and an immobiliser. ABS and airbags are options on the JTD models that most buyers will want to take up, so consider this when comparing the Scudo to competitors on price.
Theres a 3-year Fiat Vanguard dealer warranty, a 3-year paintwork warranty and 8-years of anti-perforation cover with all Scudos - something which is indicative of Fiats confidence in the quality of their product. The current Scudo looks well capable of continuing where its predecessor left off. Its niche positioning between two established CV market sectors should work to its advantage by reducing the number of direct competitors. With ostensibly similar vehicles from Peugeot and Citroen out there as well, though, Fiats dealers will need to be on the ball to ensure its their product that buyers choose.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Fiat Scudo van range
PRICES: £11,200-£12,600 (+VAT) ENGINES: 1.9 diesel/ 2.0-litre JTD Unijet diesel MAXIMUM PAYLOAD: 815kg-900kg LOAD VOLUME: 4m3
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