Sophia Loren, Ferrari’s Dino and Daytona, the Expresso machine – these are all Italians with bodies beautiful. Alas, Fiat’s new Doblo Cargo is no Gucci handbag. What it does have, in spades, is class-leading load space, access to it and competitive pricing. Perhaps Fiat’s lacklustre billboard campaign should really read: “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.
Doblo’s interior is truly a bold affair – from its two-tone plastics and prominent eyeball air vents to the open in-dash oddments compartments and add-on pod for the dash-top stereo system.
The in-your-face design is as much for effect as function. Be that as it may, the cab’s fabrics, plastics and flooring feel hardwearing, the dials are easily read, the controls readily to hand and the storage space, including overhead shelf, more than adequate.
While large, wide-opening doors afford easy access, the step over the sill is noticeable; it’s like stepping into a boat. Once in, head, shoulder and leg room aren’t to be sniffed at, although the optional full height, fixed bulkhead steals, as all do, some rearward seat travel. With the foot pedals off-set to the left, due to the intrusion of the front wheel arch, initially we experienced some confusion between brake and throttle but avoided an embarrassing accident.
Firm seats but fair ride
In attaining that all-important comfort factor the positives, including height adjustable steering wheel, precise, short-throw fascia-mounted gear shift, and standard power steering, outweigh the one apparent negative, that of uncomfortably firm seating. However, the soft brake pedal action and lacklustre braking performance, despite ventilated discs at the front, are hardly inspiring. Certainly, the van always stopped but at some cost to our composure. Doblo’s turning circle, at 10.5m and requiring just 2.2 turns lock to lock, betters that of the Citroen Berlingo.
Whereas we described Punto’s ride as “abysmal, horrible, indefensible”, Doblo’s is firm and controlled, pleasantly compromised for load and driver. Despite the bulkhead some bump/thump can be distinguished at the rear but insufficient to be of any real concern. It’s something which would all but disappear with a load aboard. Fortunately noise – from engine, suspension, tyres, road and wind – is never intrusive.
With front-wheel drive, Doblo offers two engine options. The 1.9D unit is a new indirect injection, normally aspirated diesel developing 63bhp at 4,50Orpm and maximum torque at 2,50Orpm Top speed is 87mph and fuel consumption 39.2mpg (combined). The 1.2 litre, eight valve petrol unit provides 2bhp more at 5,00Orpm, maximum torque at 2,50Orpm and a marginally greater top speed of 88mph. They do offer lively acceleration at low speeds.
Now to the all-important load bay, measuring 1680mm long, 1470mm wide and 1305mm high. Loading deck height, at 535mm, is lower than the Berlingo and the available 120Omm width between rear wheelarches is greater than either the Berlingo or Kangoo. Furthermore, Doblo offers a load volume of 3.2cu m, an interior load area of 2.2sq m and a maximum payload of 625kg. (A high-roof version with a load volume of 3.8cu m is expected in the UK this autumn).
Access to the load area is afforded by double rear doors, asymmetrically split two thirds to the nearside and opening out to 180 degrees, offering a square aperture but with a slight lip between bumper and load floor levels.
On either side, just aft of the cab, are 685mm wide, 1142mm deep sliding side doors – an indispensable feature useful on one-way streets for example.
Behind Doblo’s zinc-galvanised bodywork lie special crumple zones designed to collapse progressively and to absorb impact forces. There are side impact bars in the cab doors, and rein-forced areas in the dashboard, floorpan and roof. Moulded black polypropylene bumpers (heavy and garish at the front) are impact resistant while plastic wheelarch liners prevent stone chipping and safeguard against the effects of corrosion.
Safety conscious
Doblo’s deep windscreen and curved side windows provide excellent visibility, although angled junctions remain a perennial problem. Large door mirrors offer decent rearward vision for reversing, although blind spots persist. All Doblo Cargos come with an eight year corrosion perforation warranty, a three year paintwork guarantee and a three year dealer warranty including breakdown and recovery and load continuation in the first year. The 1.2 petrol version costs GB pound 10,100 on the road and the 1.9 diesel GB pound 10,400 OTR, prices which compare favourably with the Berlingo/Partner models.
The Doblo Cargo has a hard act to follow in the shape of the Berlingo/Partner and Kangoo. It’s well up to the task but Fiat UK will really have to promote with gusto to overthrow the well-established crown princes of this light van sector.
If looks and a ridiculous name are unimportant, and you can ignore the fact that it’s a Fiat, a Doblo Cargo really is worth serious consideration.
