The Fiat Scudo is a mid-size minivan first introduced by Fiat in 1995. The Fiat Scudo differs from its closest “relative”, the Fiat Ducato, in its smaller size - although the dimensions of this minivan are larger than the dimensions of another model in the range of Fiat minivans, the Fiat Doblo.
The Fiat Scudo Combinato version is an improved Scudo with rear seats and windows, a popular car among taxi drivers, because thanks to the impressive size of this minivan, a Fiat Scudo can comfortably accommodate up to seven people (including disabled people).
From a design point of view, the Fiat Scudo is as close as possible to the Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy, since it is, in fact, a joint development of Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroen.
Fiat Scudo
Unlike Fiat's passenger car division, whose financial position has recently left much to be desired, the commercial vehicle division brings stable profits to the Italian company. As you know, Scudo is produced on the same assembly line with the French twin brothers Peugeot Expert and Citroen Jumpy. Such cooperation allows for significant savings on production costs.
Fiat presented familiar “new products”: the Scudo van and the Ulysse minivan
The Italian brand Fiat is part of the auto giant Stellantis, which was formed at the beginning of this year through the merger of FCA and PSA. Today Fiat declassified two new commercial vehicles – the Scudo van and the Ulysse minivan. If the names seem familiar, then your memory is correct: the company has actually used these names before. Thus, the small Fiat Scudo van was present on the market from 1994 to 2016, and the Ulysse minivan, which was included in the line, lasted only until 2010. It is curious that these commercial vehicles also had “brothers” produced under other brands, as they were developed as part of a joint project with PSA. In particular, the “twins” of the first generation Ulysse were the Citroen Evasion, Peugeot 806 and Lancia Z, and the Scudo was related to the Peugeot Expert Van.
The currently presented new Scudo van and Ulysse minivan already have many “relatives” from various brands: the current Peugeot Expert and Traveler, Citroen Jumpy and SpaceTourer, Opel Vivaro and Zafira Life, as well as the Toyota ProAce created as part of a partnership agreement were previously presented.
Fiat models are based on the EMP2 platform, like the “twins”. In addition, the new items shared most of the body panels and interior with them. Visually, Fiat commercial vehicles differ little from their previously presented “relatives”. Thus, the van and minivan have their own decorative elements and radiator grille, while the bumper, judging by the image published by the company, is borrowed from the “brothers” from Opel.
In the photo: the electric version of the new Fiat Scudo van
By analogy with Citroen, Peugeot and Opel cars, Fiat's new commercial products will also have three body lengths to choose from (4.60, 4.95 and 5.30 meters). The Fiat Ulysse minivan will have a cabin designed for a different number of passengers (from six to nine seats). In turn, the Fiat Scudo will receive all-metal van, combi and chassis cab options.
The engine line is the same as that of its “relatives”. In Europe, new Fiats will be offered with 1.5-liter turbodiesels (102 or 120 hp), as well as 2.0 liters (150 or 177 hp). In addition, the models will also have a completely “green” version: such minivans and vans are equipped with an electric motor with an output of 136 hp. (torque - 260 Nm). The maximum speed of battery variants is 130 km/h.
In the photo: electric version of the new Fiat Ulysse minivan
The production of Fiat Scudo and Ulysse for the old-world market will be established at the Stellantis Hordain plant, which was previously called Sevel Nord. The plant is located in the north of France, where the predecessors of the minivan and van were previously produced. Scudo will reach European dealers by the end of 2021 - beginning of 2022, and Ulysse a little later - in the first quarter of 2022.
They also plan to produce the Fiat Scudo at the PSMA Rus plant in Kaluga, this became known last summer. It was then assumed that the cars would be exported to Europe, but no decision was made to introduce the model to the Russian market at that time. It is also not clear whether Ulysse will appear on the assembly line of the Russian site. If plans to assemble new Fiat products come true, then in Kaluga, most likely, only cars with internal combustion engines will be produced.
Fiat Scudo
If you remove the Fiat emblem from the steering wheel hub, it is almost impossible to guess which of the three twins (Scudo, Expert, Jumper) you are in.
If you remove the Fiat emblem from the steering wheel hub, you can guess which of the three twins (Scudo, Expert, Jumper) you are, it’s almost impossible
If you remove the Fiat emblem from the steering wheel hub, it is almost impossible to guess which of the three twins (Scudo, Expert, Jumpy) you are in.
Fiat Scudo
The Scudo dashboard is laconic and easy to read, but glares when exposed to sunlight.
The Scudo dashboard is laconic and easy to read, but glares when exposed to sunlight.
The Scudo dashboard is laconic and easy to read, but glares when exposed to sunlight
We sell the Fiat Scudo in the Cargo cargo version and the Combi and Panorama passenger versions. The cargo modification - an all-metal van - is available in several versions, differing in length (basic - 4800 or extended - 5130 mm, with wheelbase sizes of 3000 and 3120 mm, respectively), height (1980 and 2290 mm) and load capacity (from 925 kg to 1125 kg). And the volume of the cargo compartment is 5, 6 or 7 m3, depending on the version. Moreover, the standard body can accommodate two Euro pallets, and the extended body can accommodate three.
First generation Fiat Scudo (1995 - 2007): technical characteristics and history
Introduced in 1995, the Fiat Scudo immediately turned out to be a very popular minivan due to its optimal dimensions: the carrying capacity of a Fiat Scudo car was 850 - 900 kilograms, and the total length of the cabin was more than 2 meters. The Scudo was originally introduced as a replacement for the Fiat 900. The first generation of Fiat Scudo cars was equipped with three different diesel engines and one gasoline engine. The creators of the Scudo borrowed the design from another Fiat model – the Fiat Ulysse. Everything else, down to the smallest detail, was absolutely the same for the new Scudo, Peugeot and Citroen. The Fiat Scudo existed virtually unchanged until 2004, when Fiat introduced an updated version (however, even in it the changes were minor).
Fiat Scudo
The seats can be folded individually or completely removed.
Moreover, they are located in an amphitheater - the second row is 70 mm higher than the first, and the third is 30 mm higher than the second. The seats can be folded individually or completely removed. Moreover, they are located in an amphitheater - the second row is 70 mm higher than the first, and the third is 30 mm higher than the second.
The seats can be folded individually or completely removed. Moreover, they are located in an amphitheater - the second row is 70 mm higher than the first, and the third is 30 mm higher than the second.
Fiat Scudo
There is a hatch on the side wall of the cargo compartment for access to the air conditioning.
There is a hatch on the side wall of the cargo compartment for access to the air conditioning.
Bolt securing the under-floor spare tire
The passenger Scudo Combi comes in short and long versions and seats nine people as standard, with hinged rear doors. The seats of the second and third rows fold down and, if necessary, can be completely dismantled.
But the Scudo Panorama exists only in a long version and is intended for more demanding customers - it has a lifting rear door, and the interior is designed for eight. The Panorama Family package differs from the Combi in the presence of air conditioning, front airbags, velor seat trim and bumpers and mirrors painted in body color. Panorama Executive is complemented by climate and cruise control, heated front seats, electric mirrors and a curtain in the trunk.
Second generation Fiat Scudo (2007 - present): technical characteristics and history
In 2007, Fiat introduced an updated version of the popular minivan, which looked extremely similar to the new Fiat Ducato.
However, the changes affected not only the design: the updated Fiat Scudo also received new engine versions. In the new version of the Scudo Combinato, the interior has become even more spacious - the minivan can comfortably accommodate from five to nine people, and the vehicle's carrying capacity has increased to 1,200 kilograms. From the very beginning, the updated Fiat Scudo beat all expected sales figures - also because Fiat management managed to attract the legendary Formula 1 racer Michael Schumacher to advertise the minivan. More details
Fiat Scudo
There is a hatch on the side wall of the cargo compartment for access to the air conditioning.
There is a hatch on the side wall of the cargo compartment for access to the air conditioning.
There is a hatch on the side wall of the cargo compartment for access to the air conditioning.
For the Scudo, only a 2-liter turbodiesel is offered, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Despite the proprietary Fiat abbreviation MultiJet, this engine is also of French origin, although the Italians are reluctant to admit the fact of kinship. And be that as it may, the engine power is 120 hp. and a torque of 300 N.m is quite enough for the Fiat Scudo in any version, which allows it to feel confident both in dense city traffic and on the highway. At the same time, the declared fuel consumption is more than modest - about 7.2 l/100 km.
What's the result?
In general, the Fiat Scudo is a modern, quite attractive minivan that can easily compete with both the VW Transporter and the MB Vito.
On the Italian side there is a significantly lower price (from 900,000 to 1,300,000 rubles depending on the version), while the most affordable VW Transporter costs from 1,210,000 in the “base”. True, the image component of the competitors is good: both Germans are examples of quality in this segment. In all respects... However, FIAT also offers a roadside assistance program, Top Assistance. How well it really works, time will tell, but what is stated is impressive: in the event of a breakdown, FIAT will call an emergency commissioner, evacuate the car to the nearest dealer at a distance of up to 250 km, place it in a hotel, issue a replacement car, and so on. In general, he will provide any assistance if the equipment suddenly fails.
4
- Exterior
- Interior
- Controllability
- Economical
- Comfort
- Price
FIAT Scudo
We like
Spacious interior, powerful climate control system with three zones, large trunk.
We do not like
A cramped pedal assembly, unclear operation of the gearshift lever, velor on the armrests, and the absence of a reversing camera and parking sensors in the “base”.
Verdict
The Fiat Scudo will certainly be able to take a piece of the market from the VW Transporter and Mercedes Vito. At least due to the attractive price.
