Review
The Fiorino is one of a trio of vehicles that have carved out a new niche in the LCV market. You’ll also find it badged as the Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper.
But while these new urban LCVs share their underpinnings, this vehicle should rightly be called a Fiat as it is, in fact, based on the Punto chassis.
The Fiorino is making quite a splash for itself since its launch in the autumn and has already been voted International Van of the Year at the Hanover Show.
It looks chic and stylish and, despite having diminutive outer measurements, its interior is anything but. A bit like Dr Who’s Tardis, in fact.
The Fiorino will carry a respectable 2.5 cubic metres and 610kg of cargo. Bearing in mind that the bigger Fiat Doblo Cargo manages only 3.3 cubic metres, that’s some feat.
The Fiorino does differ from its Citroën and Peugeot brothers in one important aspect – it has Fiat engines in place of the PSA ones – the perky 1.3-litre MultiJet which offers 75bhp and 140lb-ft of torque, and a 1.4-litre petrol with 73bhp and 87lb-ft of torque.
Three trim levels are available: base, SX and Combi, and prices range from £7,999-£9,350 ex-VAT.
Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, driver airbag, a ladder bulkhead and adjustable headlights, while SX models add remote central locking, left side sliding door, a folding dashboard desk, automatic door locking at 3mph and electric windows and mirrors.
An Adventure variant will be added later, offering semi off-road features such as raised suspension.
Behind the wheel
One of the things that knocks me for six is the size of the Fiorino’s cab – I really don’t understand how Fiat has managed to cram so much into so little space.
The driver’s seat isn’t one of those diminutive ones you sometimes find in small vans which feel like a bar stool, but hugs the figure right from the back of the knees to the neck. It is a definite best in class.
In the back there’s a good square load area and no fewer than six load-lashing eyes. We thought the second side sliding door was OTT for a small van.
On the road, the common rail diesel unit proves quiet and refined and its 75bhp is plenty for this van.
Its road manners are impeccable and will really put a smile on the face of any enthusiastic driver. I undertook a 300-mile trip in one day and enjoyed every single yard of it – not a back twinge or a leg ache in sight.
To cap it all, the Fiorino returned a tad more than 50mpg during our test week.
Verdict
We’d back international judges at Hanover all the way on their decision to give this van its top title.
With its chic looks, impressive carrying capacity, manoeuvrability and comfort, the Fiorino ticks every box we can think of for an urban fleet operator.
Fact file
Model: 1.3 MultiJet SX
Max power (bhp/rpm): 75/4,000
Max torque (lb-ft/rpm): 140/1,750
Load volume (cu m): 2.5
Payload (kg): 610
Fuel consumption (mpg): 62.8
CO2 emissions (g/km): 119
Price (ex-VAT): £9,400
