New Engine Range for 2012 Fiat Ducato

The Fiat Ducato, the award-winning range of large vans, gains a new range of engines for 2012 all of which meet the toughest Euro V emissions standard as well cutting fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent.

"The new engines will further extend the Ducato's enviable reputation for economy, durability and a long service life, whether it is taking an urgent load across a city or doing a lap of New Zealand as a motorhome,"says Lawrie Malatios, General Manager of Fiat New Zealand. "These engines are at the cutting edge of diesel technology combining low emissions and fuel consumption with an ease of driving that is car-like, especially when combined with the MTA self shifting gearbox, which combines the best features of an conventional automatic with those of a conventional manual. But with an opening price of $59,990 for the new Ducato, this benchmark performance comes at a remarkable value for money price."

MultiJet II technology

Fiat, quite simply, invented what is known as the Common Rail diesel engine that has transformed the usability, efficiency and performance of diesel engines. The first generation, UniJet was followed by MultiJet, which in turn has now been thoroughly revised and updated to produce a third generation of engines.

The new MultiJet II engines provide economy, ecology and performance levels that are unrivalled on the market. The fuel system is different from the first-generation MultiJet engines in that it contains faster reacting injectors that can carry out multiple injections close together. More specifically, it can perform a main modulated fuel injection in separate phases and bring forward subsequent injections. The MultiJet II can manage eight injections per firing cycle thanks to the new servo valve with balanced shutter, which offers more speed, flexibility and precision in the various stages of operation.Everything is more economical and reliable owing to a simpler construction with 40 per cent fewer components.

The 1,600-bar fuel injection pressure from the first-generation MultiJet system increases to 1,800 bar in MultiJet II, and the new type of injectors makes it possible to implement even more advanced combustion optimisation technologies such as rate-shaping injection, which involves two consecutive injections so close together that there is a continuous and modulated flow of fuel into the cylinders. This allows improved combustion with less noise and lower particulate and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. MultiJet II engines are fully compliant with Euro 5 standards and they are a decisive step forward towards meeting future and more stringent emissions legislation.

Engine architecture

All engines for the 2012 Ducato have four in-line cylinders, with four valves per cylinder and a double overhead camshaft. The cylinder head of the engines is made from aluminium alloy, while the block is made from cast iron. The pistons have a cooling tunnel, and the geometry of the intake and exhaust pipes has been optimised.

In order to ensure a quick start from cold, the electric fuel supply pump is inside the fuel tank. This prolongs the life of the diesel filter and, if the fuel runs out completely, it enables the driver to restart the supply without emergency assistance. The pump also improves overall performance. The diesel filter is hugely effective at separating water in order to avoid damage to the pump and the injectors. All the engines have an exhaust gasrecirculation (EGR) cooler, which is controlled directly by the engine control unit.

2.3 130 MultiJet II

The 2.3-litre MultiJet generates maximum power of 96 kW at 3,600 rpm and maximum torque of 320 Nm at 1,800 rpm.

These are big numbers that make the engine perfect for mixed usage: robust and reliable with excellent performance, agile in traffic and superb over long distances, the engine is ideal both for transporting people and distributing goods locally. Its high torque also enables the vehicle to pick up easily, even with a heavy load.

The engine's emissions and consumption are 9% lower than the previous Euro 4 2.3-litre engine, but with 8% more power: this makes it the best in its class, offering the best balance between power, torque, consumption and range. Performance is also good: depending on the chassis configuration, the top speed is between 145 and 155 kmh.

The engine has a cast iron block with integrated bearings to minimise vibrations and the timing system features a toothed belt drive with an automatic belt tensioner). The engine has a turbocharger with a wastegate valve which, at more than 2,200 rpm, enables the partial and gradual outflow of some of the exhaust gases. This optimises available torque delivery at all revs, making the vehicle easier to drive. The glow plugs are located directly inside the combustion chamber: they are controlled by the ECU, which significantly reduces cranking and pre-heating time and helps to limit the stress put on the engine when starting from cold in low external temperatures. The water/oil heat exchanger, the oil pump, the vacuum pump and the centrifugal water pump are integrated.

In order to comply with the limits set by Euro 5 standards, the 96 kW 2.3-litre MultiJet has a system with an EGR valve which, controlled by the ECU, manages the partial recirculation of exhaust gases to reduce emissions, while the heat exchanger cools the recycled gases before they are re-injected into the combustion chamber. Compared with the EGR technology on the Euro 4 engines, the new system uses the "DC Motor", a device that enables the engine to move from pneumatic to electronic control of recirculated gas volumes, which ensures much more accurate measurement.

2.3 150 MultiJet II

Compared with the Euro 4 Ducato, the number of 2.3-litre MultiJets available has doubled: there is now a second engine with a high-efficiency variable geometry turbocharger, power output of 109 kW at 3,600 rpm and maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,500 rpm. When compared with the previous Euro 4 2.3-litre engine, this engine is responsive and performs brilliantly thanks to a significant increase in power, which up 24% and torque which is lifted by 9%.

The improved consumption and emission figures are in line with the 130-HP engine (respectively 7.1 l/100 km and 186 g/km of CO2) while the performance levels offer explain how it replaces the previous Euro 4 three-litre engine: the power is similar, just 5% less, but the capacity
is lower which means a 40 kg weight saving and lower consumption, a drop of 19% compared to the old three litre unit.

Robust and reliable gearboxes

In order to ensure maximum power and torque, the engines of the new Ducato are equipped with a choice of six speed manual gearboxes, a conventional manual and the self shifting MTA gearbox that provide excellent driveability and performance with low emissions and noise.

The manual gearbox is a two-axis gearbox with peak torque of 320 Nm and multi-cone synchronisers in first, second and third gears. There are multi-cone synchronisers on all gears (including reverse, but excluding fifth and sixth gears), while the cable gear control system ensures comfortable manoeuvrability in all conditions.

The MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) gearbox that combines the excellent engine performance and the low consumption of manual transmission with the simplicity and comfort of an automatic gearbox.

The MTA is the ideal solution for various jobs: from recreational vehicles (caravans, motorhomes and camper vans) to urban delivery vans, and from urban people carriers (Panorama, minibuses) to public service fleets (postal services, local authorities, urban couriers).

Technically, the gearbox has traditional manual transmission with the manual linkage replaced by actuators controlled electronically by a TCU (Transmission Control Unit). It has six gears (plus reverse) and can be either fully automatic or manual sequential. In manual mode, the driver can select a gear by using the stick on the dashboard; there is no clutch pedal. The MTA gearbox, like the Ducato engines, was designed specifically for this installation and programmed with the driving pattens and loads of a commercial vehicle or motor home.

Ducato: Versatile and Flexible body choices.

The 2012 Fiat Ducato is available in two body style and engine combinations that Fiat New Zealand has chosen from the - literally - thousands of Ducato variants available as they are best tuned to the market requirements of New Zealand large van users.

The two varients for New Zealand are a long wheelbase high roof Ducato that combines 13 cubic metre interior with a GVM of 3500 kg, while the extended body takes the interior volume up to a load swalling 15 cubic metres and a GVM to match of 4000 kg. Both Ducatos offer the choice of the new 96 kW or 109 kW engines with a manual gearbox as standard and the option on both engines of the MTA self shifting gearbox.

The 2012 Ducato: A new level of interior comfort

In addition to this new engine technology, basic practicality remains one of the core attributes of the Ducato's cab. The glove box gets a new lid with a sturdier lock on it. There's a clipboard to stop those important bits of paper getting lost; the central compartment is big enough to store a lap top computer; and it can be locked with a key. The refrigerated compartment will hold a 1.5-litre bottle and the drinks holder can also be used to take a mobile phone or ashtray.

The door panels have been remodelled to bring them in line with the rest of the cabin but they retain the practical bottle holder and the mid-height pockets for smaller easy-to-lose objects.

The oval instrument panel, now sitting beneath a more pronounced anti-glare hood, has been redesigned to make it even easier to read. And there's a Gear Shift Indicator to tell drivers the most efficient point to change gear.

Driver comfort is a core feature of the new Ducato. Excellent noise insulation puts it top of the class for quietness thanks to the sort of refinement you'd expect in a medium category car, and a great deal of care has been taken over the seats. These are covered in a new red fabric, have a more luxurious head restraint and the driver's seat can be adjusted six ways, including up and down. Combined with an adjustable steering wheel and a movable arm rest, these allow drivers of all shapes and sizes to find a comfortable position at the wheel. Climate comfort is assured by the air conditioning system. Both driver's and passenger's seats feature handy storage compartments beneath. And all front seats have seatbelts with pre-tensioners and a head restraint.

The full-size two-phase driver's airbag is standard as is the front passenger airbag. The ABS anti-lock braking is also standard and works in conjunction with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution. This uses sensors to ensure the braking action is divided over all four wheels to prevent locking and guarantee maximum stopping power. The braking system employs discs all round, with those at the front ventilated for consistently high performance.

Ducato: 30 years of success

In 2012 the latest Fiat Ducato to be launched will incorporate the experience gained over 30 years of being at the cutting edge of van development. During that time, the Ducato has picked up international awards and sold more than 2.2 million examples worldwide. It's also seen service across a huge variety of business sectors, functioned as the basis for countless motorhomes and been transformed into specialist transportation such as minibuses, ambulances and insulated freezer vehicles.

Even when it was first launched in 1981 the Ducato was a practical and solid machine that majored on flexibility, reliability and economy. It was restyled in 1990 before the third generation was launched in 1994. To accommodate the varying demands of vastly different customers, this model had a family of 500 versions if you take chassis, size and tonnage into account. This innovation was warmly welcomed by customers and it was voted International Van of the Year 1994 as a consequence.

Rather than a radical reinvention, the fourth generation launched in 2002 used the looks and philosophy of its predecessor as a basis and built on those. Just four years later the fifth generation hit the streets and turned the van world on its head. It was more stylish, comfortable, practical and driveable than any van up until then. And it combined safety, reliability, economy and versatility as well ensuring the Ducato became one of the foundation stones for successful businesses all over Europe.

The Ducato is built in the Sevel plant in Val di Sangro between Atessa and Paglieta in the Italian province of Chieti. It's the largest commercial vehicle factory in Europe covering an area of more than 1.2 million square metres. The bodywork part of the plant creates 300 different types of chassis, paintwork uses around 120 colours, while the assembly line produces more than 6000 different versions of the Ducato.