Fiat introduced familiar “novelties”: Scudo van and Ulysse minivan
The commercial models are twins of Peugeot Expert/Traveler, Citroen Jumpy/SpaceTourer, Opel Vivaro/Zafira Life and Toyota ProAce.
The Italian brand Fiat is part of the automotive giant Stellantis, formed earlier this year from the merger between FCA and PSA. Fiat today introduced two new commercial vehicles, the Scudo van and the Ulysse minivan. If the names seem familiar, then there is enough memory: these names were already used by the company, for example, the small Fiat Scudo van was on the market from 1994 to 2016 and the Ulysse minivan, which was listed in the lineup, lasted only until 2010. It is curious that these commercial vehicles also had “brothers” produced under other brands, since they were developed as part of a joint project with PSA. In particular, the first-generation Ulysse twins were the Citroën C8, Peugeot 807 and Lancia Phedra, while the Scudo was related to the Citroën Dispatch and Peugeot Expert Van.
The new Scudo vans and Ulysse minivans introduced now already have many “relatives” of various brands: the previously current Peugeot Expert and Traveler, Citroen Jumpy and SpaceTourer, Opel Vivaro and Zafira Life, in addition to Toyota ProAce, born in the framework of a partnership agreement.
Fiat models are based on the EMP2 platform, as are the “twins”. In addition, they shared most of the body and interior panels. Visually, Fiat commercial vehicles are not much different from the “relatives” presented above. So, the van and minivan have their own decorative elements and a radiator grill, and the bumper, judging by the image published by the company, is borrowed from the Opel brothers.
In the photo: the electric version of the new Fiat Scudo van
As with Citroen, Peugeot and Opel, the new Fiat commercial vehicles will also have a choice of three body lengths (4.60, 4.95 and 5.30 metres). The Fiat Ulysse minivan will receive a cabin designed for a different number of passengers (from six to nine seats). In turn, Fiat Scudo will receive options for an all-metal van, combi and chassis with a cab.
The line of engines is the same as that of the “relatives”. In Europe, the new Fiats will be offered with 1.5-liter (102 or 120 hp) and 2.0-liter (150 or 177 hp) turbodiesels. In addition, the models will have a completely “green” version: a minivan and such a van are equipped with an electric motor with a power of 136 hp. (torque – 260 Nm). The maximum speed of the battery variants is 130 km/h.
In the photo: the electric version of the new Fiat Ulysse minivan
Production of the Fiat Scudo and Ulysse for the Old World market will take place at Stellantis Hordain, formerly Sevel Nord. The plant is located in the north of France, where the predecessors of the minivan and van were previously produced. The Scudo will hit European dealers by the end of 2021/early 2022, and the Ulysse shortly thereafter in the first quarter of 2022.
Fiat Scudo production is also planned at the PSMA Rus plant in Kaluga, which became known last summer. Therefore, it was assumed that the cars would be exported to Europe, but the decision to bring the model to the Russian market was not made at that time. It is also unclear if Ulysse will appear on the state-owned production line. If Fiat's plans to assemble new products are realized, then only cars with internal combustion engines will most likely be produced in Kaluga.