Arrival of Fiat Talento gives brand one of the most complete van ranges in Ireland

By Gerry Murphy

Fiat Professional will strengthen its offering at the heart of the medium van segment when the new Talento goes on sale in Ireland this month.

The arrival of Talento, which is positioned between the Doblò Cargo and Ducato in the FIAT Professional range, gives the brand one of the most complete van ranges available in Ireland.

It has a familiar look, being a sister van to the Opel Vivaro and the Renault Trafic. It comes in either short or long wheelbase form; a wide variety of body styles; and with a choice of engines.

Panel vans are available with a standard or high roof in both long and short wheelbase form; while people carriers and crew cabs are also available in long and short wheelbase guise.

At a glance, the model is compact and well-proportioned. The grille is designed to wrap around the headlights for additional effect and added protection. The squared-off rear end, meanwhile, helps to maximise the Talento’s carrying capacity and the practicality of the load, while giving the van a broad stance that exudes stability and strength.

Innovative features include the ‘CargoPlus‘ storage area under the passenger seats which allows professionals to carry objects up to 3.75m in length (4.15 for LWB versions) by sliding them into a special bulkhead opening.

Rear doors can open up to a wide angle of 255 degrees, while the sliding side door has an aperture of 1,030mm and a load edge just 100mm above the ground. The load volume equals 5.2 cubic metres in short wheelbase models, 6 cubic metres in long wheelbase versions and a generous 8.6 cubic metres in the long wheelbase high-roof derivative. This means that the Talento, even in the short wheelbase trim level, is capable of carrying three Euro pallets and, depending on the version, a payload of up to 1,249 kg with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of up to 3,060kg.

You get a choice of turbo and twin turbo diesel engines. The entry-level 95hp 1.6-litre turbo-diesel is ideally suited to city driving thanks to its high torque output of 260Nm and its excellent official combined cycle fuel efficiency figure of 6.5 l/100km and low CO2emissions of just 170g/km.

In EcoJet specification with Start&Stop, this engine can return 6.1 l/100km  and CO2 emissions are further reduced to 160g/km. The 1.6-litre MultiJet 120hp meanwhile, offers an impressive mix of performance, value-for-money and efficiency, thanks to its 300Nm of torque, official combined cycle fuel efficiency figure of 6.5 l/100km and emissions of just 170g/km.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.