Fiat Ducato 160 Multijet
This is, of course, a bold exaggeration, but it is a visual representation of how vans evolved; of course, several times more than cars.
Ducato is a typical specimen; his name dragged on for years, but only the name. Everything else, from the logo to the front mask on the back, is different, new, more advanced. Well, you still need to climb into it, it still sits high (even relative to the level of the road) and yet the steering wheel is much flatter (and only adjustable in depth) than in cars. But it looks like it will stay that way in the future.
Thus, the driving position is clearly seated, which means that the driver is pressing the pedals, which again means that he is not pushing them away from him. In itself, this does not bother me so much, only when the driver tilts the seat back a little, it is inconvenient to press (especially) the clutch pedal (again slightly). Otherwise, a seat for three passengers will be friendly to everyone.
Materials look (logically) cheap because they have chosen those that are (too) insensitive to dirt and minor damage. The gauges are just carried over from the personal Fiat, they are even more like Pandins, which also means that there is a trip computer with a lot of data and that the transition between data is one-way. The gear lever is graciously raised to the dashboard, which means ease of operation, only the proximity of third and fifth gears takes some getting used to.
Although the Ducat, as seen in the photographs, has only one row for passengers and three seats on it, the space for small or large items is really huge. There are two large drawers in the dashboard in front of the passengers, huge drawers in the doors, a whole bunch of drawers, a large plastic container under the far right seat, and a shelf above the windshield that can hold quite large items.
There is also a shelf with a clip for documents or A4 papers, which is often useful for deliveries (receipt sheets), and something similar is also on the back of the middle seat backrest, which can be folded up and taken out. extra shelf. We thought not only about cans of drinks - there is only one similar recess on the dashboard, which essentially serves as a place for an ashtray. True, there are two more similar grooves on the shelf, which are formed after the middle back is turned over, but if there are three passengers in this ducat. .
Our list of equipment, which we fill out for each car we test, is not as empty as you might think: central locking with remote control, automatic (electric) sliding of the driver's door glass in both directions, electric adjustable door mirrors with two mirrors in one case (rear wheel control), automatic air conditioning, Bluetooth, wide adjustment of the driver's seat, rich trip computer, rear view camera. ... Life in such a ducat can be pretty simple.
The engine of a modern turbo-diesel design, but designed for unloading work, also helps a lot: it spins “only” up to 4.000 rpm (up to fourth gear), which is quite enough. When the Ducato is empty, it fires up easily in second gear, and even then it can bounce. On the other hand, sixth gear is tuned for economical driving so that top speed is achieved in fifth gear; the speedometer stops at 175, and in sixth gear the rpm drops to a friendly 3.000 per minute. It is not difficult to imagine that this engine can easily tow even a loaded car. It also seems to be relatively fuel efficient, consuming between 9 and 8 liters of diesel per 14 km in our test. The gearbox also behaves well - the lever movements are light, short and precise, and if necessary, fast, if you are a driver he wants it.
The back (with a button on the key) is unlocked separately, which is very convenient, and it opens with a double door, which naturally opens at the base 90 degrees, but you can also rotate it 180 degrees. There is nothing inside but two lanterns. Except, of course, for a huge hole. Ducato is only available as a truck in many different heights and wheelbases, just one option. The variety of the offer guarantees the fulfillment of many desires (or needs).
The engine in the test Ducat was indeed the most powerful on offer, but that doesn't detract from the overall impression. Driving is easy and not fatiguing, and the Ducato is a fast and (given its long wheelbase) agile truck that competes with cars at the maximum legal speed on the roads and easily maintains pace on any road. Road.
And that's what separates today's Ducati from what it was two decades ago. It was a baseboard in traffic jams because it was bulky and slow, not to mention the hard work of the driver. Today, things are different: for many it is still a traffic jam, but (if the Ducati driver wants it) is difficult to keep track of. ...
Vinko Kernc, photo :? Vinko Kernc
Fiat Ducato 160 Multijet
Basic data
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 2.999 cm? – maximum power 115,5 kW (157 hp) at 3.500 rpm – maximum torque 400 Nm at 1.700 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 215/75 R 16 C (Continental Vanco). |
| Capacity: | top speed 160 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h: no data |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 2.140 kg - permissible gross weight 3.500 kg. |
| External dimensions: | length 5.998 mm - width 2.050 mm - height 2.522 mm - fuel tank 90 l. |
| Box: | trunk 15.000 liters |
Our measurements
| T = 10 ° C / p = 1.000 mbar / rel. vl. = 58% / Odometer Condition: 6.090 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 13,0s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 18,7 years ( 118 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 7,1 / 10,9s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 11,9 / 20,5s |
| Maximum speed: | 160km / h (WE.) |
| test consumption: | 11,7 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 43,7m |
| AM table: | 44m |
evaluation
Deliverymen are no longer heavy vehicles. They are just cars with a little less equipment and a little cheaper interior materials, but with a useful interior and a lot of work - in this case with a closed cargo area. Such is this Ducato.
We praise and reproach
ease of driving
engine: performance, responsiveness
transmission: control
place for small items
Equipment
consumption
adroitness
shaking outside rearview mirrors at high speeds
only one useful place for a can
plastic steering wheel
there is no mirror in the umbrellas
only one airbag
Depth adjustable handlebar only
