Chassis Cab boosts breakdown fleet
Family-run Daf dealer Chassis Cab has added two new breakdown service vans to its fleet.
News - Commercial Motor
January 7, 2016
On the lookout for a small new or used van that won’t get stuck in the mud and will deal comfortably with rough terrain?
The Fiat Fiorino Adventure, a front-wheel drive mild off roader available with either 75hp or 95hp versions of the 1.3 MultiJet diesel engine, might just be the answer.
Key to the Adventure’s appeal is its use of Traction+, an electronic differential lock system that improves grip in muddy fields and lanes without increasing fuel or maintenance costs.
It works by detecting when a wheel is losing grip, and then adding traction to the other wheels, helping to force it through difficult conditions.
The system needs no input from the driver to activate and means it is capable of dealing with wet and muddy slopes better than a regular light van.
Also, the Adventure version of the Fiorino has toughened suspension, higher ground clearance, added cladding and extra protection under the engine, sides, lower front bumper and roof bars as well as 15-inch alloy wheels.
It comes with a five-speed manual gearbox as well as stop/start and payload is 50kg higher than a standard Fiorino Cargo at 660kg.
The standard Fiorino includes driver’s airbag, ABS brakes with EBD electronic brakeforce distribution while an ESP electronic stability programme comes as standard on the Adventure models with the Traction+ system.
The van - related to the Citroën Nemo and Peugeot Bipper - has quirky looks and its roof rails and high profile really make it stand out.
More importantly for the driver it is practical, smooth, quiet, handles well, has comfortable seating and a good amount of storage space in the cab considering its size.
When we took it out for a spin through a dirt track in the countryside one wet weekend the vehicle coped well with the various rocks, large stones and potholes on the journey.
Unsurprisingly the van cannot match the outright grip of a proper 4x4, however for fleets that need a degree of off-road ability, the Fiorino is a sound choice.
