Fiat Ducato upgraded

The Fiat Ducato Series 7 commercial van has been updated for the Australian market and the headline acts are a new 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine, nine-speed automatic transmission and autonomous emergency braking as standard.

Fiat’s large van rival for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Renault Master and Volkswagen Crafter is now priced from $46,300 for the low-roof medium-wheelbase model and tops out at $57,500 for the big-Bertha XLWB mid-roof model.

The repositioned van represents a price increase of $3300 across the revised four-model range. See below for full pricing.

The existing sub-$40K short-wheelbase model doesn’t appear on the new price list but Fiat is still taking customer orders for the pre-upgraded model.

The Italian brand’s commercial arm, Fiat Professional, has also added more safety equipment to the large van range, with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, reversing camera, stability control, anti-lock brakes, roll-over mitigation, hill-hold assist and autonomous emergency braking all now fitted as standard.

Fiat’s new 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine pumps out the same 130kW/400Nm as its predecessor with the six-speed manual.

The powerplant is now compliant with Euro 6 emissions regulations and is claimed to deliver improved engine refinement, a smoother drive and lower fuel consumption.

All models can be optioned with the ZF nine-speed automatic transmission for $2890, which takes peak torque to 450Nm. The nine-speed cog-swapper is standard on top-spec XLWB models.

Standard features across the range include rear parking sensors, cruise control, a 5.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, leather steering wheel with audio controls, manual air-conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat and a three-seat bench with three-point seat-belts for all occupants.

Utilitarian equipment includes a bulkhead with viewing window, a 270-degree opening rear door, electric side mirror and a big 90-litre fuel tank.

Fiat now offers a couple of new option packs too.

The safety plus pack ($2190) brings automatic wipers, headlights and self-dipping high-beam, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot assist and rear cross-path detection, fog lights, traction+ and all-season tyres.

Then there’s the comfort and tech pack ($2190) adds a 7.0-inch infotainment screen that includes sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Digital radio, LED daytime running lights, automatic climate control and tyre pressure monitoring are also part of the tech pack.

Buyers can order additional side sliding doors for $1190 as well.

How much does the 2020 Fiat Ducato cost?
MWB low-roof (manual) – $46,300
MWB mid-roof (manual) – $48,300
LWB mid-roof (manual) – $50,300
XLWB mid-roof (auto) – $57,500
* Prices exclude on-road costs