New Vans
Working vans from Fiat
It can be difficult launching a new brand or reintroducing one. But few companies have succeeded as well as Fiat, which now has a strong presence in the Australian market after a long absence from 1989 until 2002. The product that marked the famous Italian marque's local return was the Ducato van, which quickly carved out a substantial slice of the increasingly competitive light commercial market.
Now, with the Ducato having established a formidable reputation, buyers can choose a less expensive, smaller and very stylish alternative in the guise of the Scudo, which made its local debut in April 2008. Sharply priced at $34,490, the Scudo has a 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine which produces 88 kW of power and 300 Nm of torque where it's needed at just 2000 rpm. The six speed manual gearbox teams brilliantly with this lusty but economical unit.
Because such a wide range of variants is on offer in Europe, the Australian importer (Ateco) was able to tailor just the right van for our conditions. This is long (3122 mm) wheelbase with standard roof height and heavy duty payload (1200 kg) suspension. Options include pneumatic suspension which reduces the already impressive load threshold of 562 mm to a best in class 490 mm.
The Scudo gives the impression of having been designed around its hard working driver, who is always the most valuable part of the 1200 kilogram payload. When the cabin of the van is your office, you appreciate such standard features as a lockable, refrigerated glovebox, an open storage compartment under the steering column, and the numerous other generous and well-designed spaces to house all the bits and pieces a working driver needs during the day - drink bottles, notepads, mobile phone, wallet, snacks and so on. Twin sliding side doors are particularly welcome, as are the eight load restraint rings.
Like its larger Ducato sibling, the Scudo boasts a distinctive exterior appearance. An attractive range of colours including two non-metallics is on offer.
Hyundai iLoad and iMax
Another fierce competitor at the more affordable end of the light commercial vehicle sector is Hyundai. Since their Australian release in February 2008, the Korean maker's iLoad vans and iMax people movers have been acknowledged by buyers for their comfort, style, practicality and value for money.
Both have sold strongly in their respective categories with the iLoad winning over commercial vehicle customers and the iMax making strong headway with buyers looking to carry up to eight occupants and their luggage. Although the latter is technically a people-mover, its spaciousness makes it eminently suitable as a working vehicle where eight occupants and plenty of luggage constitute the payload. Hotels would find the iMax ideal for transporting guests to and from the airport.
Hyundai offers buyers a choice between petrol and diesel engines. The 2.5 litre CRDi diesel is especially impressive with its 392 Nm of torque from 2000 rpm and a payload of 1130 kg.
The iLoad is priced from $29,990 and has a range of options including twin-swing rear doors which allow it to swallow a pair of loaded pallets directly from a forklift.
While the iLoad and iMax vehicle share most design elements, they use different rear suspension systems. The iLoad has hard-working semi-elliptic springs which are more suited to heavy loads but deliver a less comfortable ride. The iMax has a sophisticated five-link arrangement with coil springs. It is priced from $36,990.
In recent ANCAP tests, both vehicles (from March 2009 build onwards) scored a four star occupant safety rating, which is excellent. Hyundai, like many of the European manufacturers, sees safety as a major priority in its commercial vehicles and that is something bound to be endorsed by hard working drivers, whose van is their office sometimes for more than 12 hours a day!
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