Can this tiny panel van reach places others can’t?

The problem with the ever-popular bakkie is that the load bay is open – unprotected from the weather, wind and potential theft.  The problem with even a mid-size panel van is that it is quite a handful to park, reverse into a delivery bay, or just zip in&out of traffic for that ever-urgent collection or delivery.

Economy of scale.  At times, your driver drives around the company’s mid/large panel van with only air as the cargo, which is a business expense of fuel wasted to propel the big(ger) vehicle, and costs more to maintain.  This is where the Fiorino makes perfect business sense – it is not only by far the lowest-priced panel van on the market, but also, due to its tiny size, a lower-maintenance van.

The Fiat Fiorino panel van undercuts the mid-size panel vans on price – these are Citroën Berlingo, Fiat Doblo Cargo, Nissan NV200, Peugeot Partner, Renault Kangoo and VW Caddy, costing from about R 190 000 to around R 250 000, whereas Fiorino 1.4 petrol costs only just over R 150 000, or just under R 180 000 for the 1.3 Multijet turbodiesel.  Remember these are commercial vehicles, so as VAT-registered business owner your cost will be without the 14% VAT, so a Fiorino 1.4 will be cost-to-company under R140k.

Other panel van conversion offerings, where a hatch or people carrier had the rear windows and boot area converted to a make-shift panel van configuration, are the Chevrolet Spark Pronto which is actually only a city hatchback with some cargo-area protection bars and without rear seats (so not suited for bigger loads or boxes), the FAW Sirius S80 which is a small 7-seater changed into a panel van (think old Toyota Avanza) and the Toyota Avanza panel van – both these use a 1.3 petrol engine in a fairly large body, so are not pleasant to drive, meaning your delivery driver will be foot-flat most of the time, burning fuel… which is just false economy.  

Fiorino also goes head-to-head with South Africa's traditional three-quarter ton bakkie offerings, namely Chevrolet Utility and Nissan NP200, but offers greater versatility, comfort and safety than a bakkie.  The Fiorino came in handy when we had it on test – needing to transport a car’s rear bench seat and large panels, the little van easily accommodated the load, which we wouldn’t have been able to fit onto the back of a small bakkie, and certainly wouldn’t want to get wet in the rain, or go “missing” off the back at a red traffic light, or while parking.

As the most compact model in the Fiat Professional (commercial vehicles) range, the smallest of Fiat workhorses is bambino enough to manage city traffic and day-to-day deliveries, but spacious enough to accommodate large (not too large).

Measuring a city-friendly 3.86 metres in length, its diminutive dimensions make it a cinch to zip into small parking gaps, whether in front of a store to collect or deliver parcels, or to squeeze into opportunity gaps left by large vans and trucks at the receiving bay.  Presto!  Once at the bay, the highly functional configuration of the Fiorino makes loading a breeze.  The large side-hinged rear doors offer optimal load breadth and height thanks to a low load threshold, high roofline and favourable width between wheel arches.

A sliding side door is available as standard fitment on the 1.3 diesel model and as an optional extra on the 1.4 petrol model.  A second sliding side door is also available as an option, further adding to the practicality.  This is a distinct advantage over a bakkie fitted with a canopy where one would not be able to access items loaded first or at the rear of the load bay.  Fiorino offers ample room and intelligent solutions for loading and unloading of goods.  The load volume of 2.5 cubic metres can be increased to 2.8 cubic metres plus a loading length of 2.5 metres, thanks to a stowable front passenger seat.  Clever.

The 1.3 Multijet diesel, at R20k more than the 1.4 petrol, may seem a large jump, but in day-to-day running the diesel is by far the best – the extra pulling power means it saves you time, so your customers waiting for their collivery (collection then delivery) will receive it sooner, and you and your driver will have less stress.  It is also much more frugal, at a claimed 4.6 l/100 km combined (where the 1.4 petrol drinks 6.4 l/100km combined) meaning fewer time-wasting stops for refills, and relief when the fuel bills are tallied up come month-end.  That fuel figure can be reduced to a remarkable 3.9 l/100km on the open road for the 1.3 diesel, with 1.4 petrol at 5.4 litres.  When a panel van is out on the road all day, the diesel efficiency quickly adds up to a benefit – urban deliveries will require around 5.9 l/100km for the diesel, versus 8.0 l/100 km for the petrol.  Emitting just 123g of CO2 per kilometre on average cycle, the diesel’s green credentials are not to be scoffed at either.  Also, if you’re going to get the must-have optional R 8 000 air-conditioning, the 1.3 Multijet is much better at coping with this, and won’t impact that much on fuel as the petrol would.

The Fiat Fiorino is not only a practical business asset, as it also offers a dynamic and cute exterior design that presents a professional appearance for the business owner.  Its rounded shapes, beefy front-end (with that bulldog chin) and robust stance combine to create a charismatic design (unlike most panel vans).  It is also available in bright colours like orange and metallic lime green, so instead of default white, your panel van can be more visible.

The sliding side doors blend perfectly into the side panel, so there is plenty of uninterrupted space to splash on the corporate branding.  The vertical exterior handles for side and rear doors offer excellent grip, so even with a clipboard or parcel in one hand, it can be opened using either hand.

The bright, modern, roomy cab combines practical, functional features with advanced ergonomics designed to ensure comfort and well-being for intensive professional use.  Standard equipment includes power steering, driver and passenger airbags, and ABS brakes with EBD for enhanced stopping safety.  The centre console is equipped with cup holders and a 12V socket, for recharging phones or plugging in equipment.  The numerous storage compartments and a roomy glove compartment mean that there is plenty of room to store personal effects, working documents and also accommodates a tablet computer or even a laptop.

Options include remote central locking, electric front windows, solid glass partition, rear park sensors, and Blue&Me Bluetooth with voice control.

Fiorino ships with a 3-year / 100 000 km warranty, and service intervals were extended for either engine to 30 000 km or every 2 years, meaning less down-time.  A service plan is optional.

It beats all panel vans in nippiness and purchase price.  It is small-car like to drive, can reach/park in places others simply cannot, is economical on fuel, and daily running costs should be minimal compared to bigger vans.  It is more practical and much safer than a bakkie – it is about time that South Africans wake up to the benefits and joy of operating a compact panel van rather than a bakkie, with European cities filled with these practical little enclosed runabouts instead of bakkies.

With a face this cute and the name Fiorino (pure Italian) everything about it is to like.  The little van that can.