Fiat E-Doblò Cargo
A familiar looking van with a different badge on the front? John Kendall gets behind the wheel of the latest Italian (electric) stallion
Fiat E-Doblò Cargo
A familiar looking van with a different badge on the front? John Kendall gets behind the wheel of the latest Italian (electric) stallion
If you think there is something familiar about the new Fiat Doblò and E-Doblò, you would be right. The previous Fiat-designed model has been replaced with the PSA K9 series van, which is now the standard compact van across all Stellantis LCV brands. This means that the new Doblò shares its architecture and major components with the Citroën Berlingo, Peugeot Partner, Vauxhall Combo and –through the Stellantis/Toyota joint venture – the Toyota Proace City.
Being last to the party brings advantages too. Fiat has had time to pick features such as the “Magic Plug”, which enables the e-Doblò’s battery pack to be used to power electric tools and other items.
Like its Stellantis siblings, the Doblò features a unique front panel, bearing the new Fiat badging. Similarly, like its Stellantis stablemates, Doblò is available in two lengths: L1 and L2 and also as a L2 crew van. Each of these are available in either Standard or Primo trim for E-Doblò. Standard E-Doblò models get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air conditioning, cruise control, electric parking brake, rain sensing wipers and light sensing headlamps, fog lights, a near-side sliding door, alarm, tyre pressure monitoring system, hill holder, emergency brake assist, driver airbag and electronic stability control.
In addition, Primo models get a height adjustable driver’s seat and lumbar support, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with monitor in the rear-view mirror, double passenger bench seat with armrest, storage and writing table, a load through bulkhead, electric windows and electric heated, folding door mirrors, a Visibility Pack and Icon Pack.
In fact, the rain sensing wipers, light sensing headlamps, electric windows and electric heated, folding door mirrors, plus the fog lights are packaged together to form the Visibility Pack, while the Icon Pack bundles together a body-coloured rear bumper, side protector strips, door rail, gloss black door mirror housings and 16-inch wheel covers. Owners can also specify a range of other packs to provide the items they need. This includes an Assist Pack, bundling driver assistance systems together, Comfort Drive Assist Pack, adding a range of items to the Assist Pack and Techno pack, bundling popular options together with some of the standard equipment.
Then there are a couple of work-related packs, the Worksite Pack and Freight Pack. The Worksite Pack includes increased ground clearance, Grip Control, and M+S tyres, while the Freight Pack bundles up Stowage hooks, cargo area LED lighting, 12v and 230v power sockets in the cargo area and other items. Fiat Professional has also placed a focus on urban mobility for the brand to help distance it from its related brands.
As you might expect, E-Doblò shares its battery pack and electrical drivetrain with the ë-Berlingo, e-Partner and Combo-e. That means a 100kW (134hp) motor, 50kWh battery pack under the floor and a range of up to 170 miles. Talking of batteries, the E-Doblò can be recharged in 7.5 hours from a 7.4kW wallbox or in five hours from an 11kW three-phase AC supply. 100kW DC rapid charging will charge the batteries to 80% in 30 minutes.
A payload of up to 800kg gives E-Doblò a similar load capacity to the petrol and diesel powered Doblò range. And just like its electric stablemates, E-Doblò is equipped with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Power, plus a battery regeneration mode.
ON THE ROAD
The revised front end gives the E-Doblò a subtly different appearance from its stablemates. As you might expect, it shares the ease of driving of those models. This is in part due to the logical and easily understood control layout. To start, switch on using the ignition key, the transmission should be in P for Park mode, then press the footbrake and select R (reverse), or D (Drive) as required. Then press the accelerator and off you go.
For the three drive modes, Eco will limit power and extend the battery range, Normal is the everyday driving mode, while Power provides maximum power output, aimed at fully laden vehicles. In addition, the driver can engage ‘B’ mode (for enhanced battery regeneration), which provides additional battery regeneration when slowing down, instead of wasting the energy as heat during braking. B mode is selected using a push button, as is P, when you have finished driving. This automatically engages the parking brake.
Performance is both effortless and quiet, making the Doblò an easy and stress-free drive. We have found that switching in and out of B mode as needed helps to optimise range, rather than just leaving B mode selected all the time. There are times when a hill can provide additional downhill speed without using power, when with B mode selected, the vehicle would be slowed instead. With forward planning, B mode can minimise brake use and extend lining life. Just like its Stellantis siblings, the E-Doblò offers good handling and a comfortable ride, which like most vans is improved with a load onboard.
The load area is a good uniform shape and comes with a nearside sliding load door as standard. Asymmetric rear doors are likely to be the popular option and these open to 180 degrees. A tailgate is available as an option.
Fiat is offering a three year/100,000-mile warranty for the vehicle with an eight year/100,000 mile/70% of battery capacity guarantee.
