The latest addition to the Fiat Professional range of Light Commercial Vehicles, the new Fiat Fiorino van, has just gone on sale in the UK.

In line with market predictions suggesting a substantial demand for a small, modern delivery van, Fiat’s new Fiorino is proving to be a big success across Europe. At the end of February this year, Fiorino sales had already exceeded 14,400 units, even though in several countries the new van had only just been launched. Fiat’s new van went on sale in Italy at the close of 2007.

The new Fiorino, recently crowned the 2008 Fleet World Honours Best New Van, joins the UK Fiat Professional product line-up at a time of expansion for the brand’s LCV sales, which increased to 13,972 in 2007, from 12,897 in 2006 (+8.3%).

Developed via a joint venture between Fiat and PSA, and manufactured at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey, the new Fiorino occupies a unique LCV segment, being the first ultra-compact vehicle to have been specifically designed for use in busy towns and cities.

The rapid growth of e-commerce in particular has led to a substantial increase in demand for small vans to deliver goods and services ‘the last mile’ to homes and businesses. In this context, compact dimensions and outstanding manoeuvrability outweigh the need for excessive carrying capacities. And with an overall length of only 3864 mm and a turning circle between kerbs of just 9.95 metres, allied to a load capacity of 610 kg (including the driver) and a maximum load length of almost 2.5 metres, the Fiat Fiorino sets new standards in ultra-compact urban van practicality.

Seven versions of the new Fiorino, priced from £7,999 to £9,647 + VAT, are available from launch, embracing three trim levels – Cargo Base, Cargo SX, and Combi. Two Combi variants are available; a four-seat version homologated for goods transport with a 338 kg payload, and a five-seat version homologated for the transportation of passengers plus 270 kg of goods.

Available later in 2008, a Fiorino Adventure variant will further increase the versatility of the new Fiat Professional LCV range with the addition of numerous features designed to adapt both Cargo and Combi versions for use on rough, unsurfaced roads and construction sites. These features include suspension raised by 20 mm, 15” wheels, an engine guard incorporated within the front bumper, additional side body protection, mud flaps, and bespoke, hardwearing and practical interior upholstery.

The new Fiat Fiorino goes on sale in the UK with a choice of two powerplants; the latest, 75 bhp derivation of Fiat Group’s widely acclaimed, state-of-the-art 1.3 litre 16-valve MultiJet turbodiesel, and a refined and economical 73 bhp 1.4 litre 8-valve petrol engine. Both units are Euro 4 compliant, the 1.3 16v MultiJet also meeting the emissions limits which are expected to be set by forthcoming Euro 5 standards, more than a year before the legislative deadline.

Each powerplant is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox while, unique to the small van segment, the 1.3 litre MultiJet unit may also be optionally equipped with Comfort Matic – a clutchless, electro-hydraulic, 6-speed sequential manual shift with a selectable fully automatic mode.

Augmenting a practical, comfortable and notably quiet cab interior developed through the extensive use of virtual ergonomics, the new Fiat Professional LCV’s equipment specification has been carefully considered to simplify and enhance life on board, with hydraulic power steering, ABS with EBD, driver’s front airbag, a radio/CD player, adjustable headlamps, height adjustable steering wheel and driver’s seat, and a ladder bulkhead fitted as standard even within entry level models.

These comprehensive equipment packages are enhanced by a range of options carefully considered to further improve the working practicality of the new Fiorino, and include manual climate control with pollen filter, reverse parking sensors, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity, a radio/CD/MP3 player, heated rear window with wash/wipe, a diesel particulate filter, Comfort Matic automatic transmission and a Thatcham security pack.