I wrote about the launch of the new Euro 5 Ducato models last year, but the motorhome specification has a few additional standard items that are worth mentioning separately:

• Comfort-Matic automatic gear box is now available with the 2.3l engine as well as the 3.0l engine. I predict it will become very popular with motorhome buyers now it is available on the most popular engine.
• Updated dashboard with posh wood-effect trim. The new dashboard also includes a TomTom My Port and the option of a built-in TomTom LIVE system.
• One final new feature that should be popular is Traction+, a traction control system that simulates the effect of a limited slip differential by automatically braking whichever wheel is spinning – should be useful on campsites. This kind of differential-equivalent system is becoming increasingly popular and is even used on the new Ford Ranger.

Cab view - 2012 Fiat Ducato

To find out more about the new Ducato, visit www.fiatprofessional.co.uk or call in at Fiat’s stand at The Motorhome Caravan & Camping Show at ExCeL, London (14–19 February, 2012).

The Fiat Ducato chassis cab - most motorhome conversion start out looking a bit like this

Fiat has just launched the new version of its Ducato van. The launch was virtually necessitated by the need to move to Euro 5 engines and Fiat has taken advantage of this to launch a completely new range of engines, along with a raft of other improvements aimed at improving performance, comfort and refinement.

The Ducato dominates the motorhome market – although it is not universally liked by motorhomers, it is the default choice for the majority of motorhome converters across Europe.

Fiat has developed this relationship over the years and the low, wide, front-wheel drive platform provided by the Ducato does make a good base for mainstream motorhomes.

Fiat even provides special motorhome versions of its chassis cab, featuring a wider track than normal (the width between the wheels) and offering a ‘front-end only’ model onto which converters can bolt an alternative chassis platform, usually provided by Alko.

So What’s New?

The big news is the engines. In line with the coming EU legislation, all engines are now Euro 5 compliant and there have been improvements in fuel consumption, emissions and performance.

The new Ducato in panel van form

The UK market will get two engines with four power levels:

• 2.3-litre diesel (110bhp, 130bhp & 150bhp)
• 3-litre diesel (180bhp)

(Left-hand drive markets will also get a 2-litre engine, in place of the 110bhp 2.3l model. The 2l engine proved too hard to shoehorn into a right-hand drive configuration, so the UK gets a detuned 110bhp 2.3l instead.)

The 110bhp model featured a 20% improvement in torque over its 2.2l predecessor, along with a 10% improvement in fuel economy and a 11% reduction in emissions.

The 150bhp model, which is likely to be popular with the coachbuilt motorhome market, boasts 350Nm of torque at just 1,500rpm while the new 3l model provides 400Nm of torque at just 1,400rpm, which should enable even large motorhomes to make swift, relaxed progress in all conditions.

Weight wise, the Ducato has again been specified with an eye to the motorhome market. I cannot imagine that many commercial van operators will choose the 4,000kg option unless they really need it, as their drivers will then be forced to have speed limiters fitted and work with a tachograph.

The Comfort-Matic automatic is only available with the 3l engine

However, no such restrictions apply to motorhome users (travelling for leisure purposes) and the additional 500kg payload is very useful for larger motorhomes.

Self-levelling air suspension is also now a factory option, something which should work well for larger motorhomes and help reduce traction and weight distribution problems.

In the cab, equipment levels, dashboard plastics and sound proofing have all been improved to provide a more car-like experience, although Fiat’s Comfort-Matic automated gearbox is only available with the 3-litre engine, meaning that the bulk of Ducato motorhomes will come with Fiat’s six-speed manual gearbox.

First Impressions

If you are really unlucky, you will spend £40k+ on a conversion like this with lots of glass windows. Don't do it - buy a panel van conversion with proper motorhome windows. It is worth it.

Initial reviews of the new Ducato in the van trade press are very positive and the Ducato’s new engines should be a considerable improvement over the old (already decent) units.

Although it is not universally popular, I believe that the Ducato is almost certain to continue its leading role in the motorhome conversion market: Fiat’s low, wide platform, good engines and competitive pricing are ideal for mainstream motorhomes.

It is important to remember that motorhomes tend to do very low mileages and spend a lot of time being used as accommodation, not as a vehicles. This means that the Ducato’s qualities are ideal for the job and will, for most motorhome users, outweigh any dynamic or durability advantages offered by more expensive rear-wheel drive vans like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or Iveco Daily.

It is designed to be a spiritual successor to the original Samba bus – albeit a rather shorter one, at just under 4m in length. The concept is an electric vehicle with an impressive quoted range of 300km, making it rather more feasible as an everyday, sole household vehicle than most other electric vehicles.

It has generated a predictable amount of press coverage suggesting that it is a future classic campervan – but is this really feasible? The interior loadspace is 1.8m long – very similar to a Mazda Bongo – so it does offer the potential for compact camper conversions. VW also says that the vehicle could easily be powered by one of its petrol or diesel engines instead of an electric motor, too, removing range problems for touring use.

Although many concept vehicles never make it into reality – and indeed the Bulli is an updated version of VW’s Microbus concept from 10 years ago – a vehicle like this probably would prove popular with MPV owners seeking something more fun and would most likely generate a small but enthusiastic following of camper owners. Were VW to produce a long wheelbase version, too, it might have real potential as a campervan.

Here are a few more shots to whet your appetite:

Update: It seems that the VW Bulli/Microbus or something very like it is going to see the light of day – see this AutoCar story for more details.

The new Renault Master - UK launch 9th April 2010

The new Renault Master van will be launched in the UK on April 9th. Renault has just published the specifications and price lists for its new van – so naturally, I had a look to see how it shapes up from a motorhome base vehicle perspective.

FWD, RWD, 4 Lengths & Up To 4.5 Tonnes!

The new Master will eventually be available in no fewer than 350 versions, including both panel van, chassis cab, crew cab and minibus variants.

The panel van will be available in 4 lengths, two roof heights and in both front and rear-wheel drive, with gross weights from 2.8 tonnes to 4.5 tonnes. Rear-wheel drive models have twin rear wheels and a differential lock is available as an option – ideal for poor surfaces.

The dimensions are very similar to those of the Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit range – the longest model is just under 7m and boasts an impressive 4.3m internal load length. The internal width is 1765mm – similar to the Sprinter and Transit but 10.5cm less than the Fiat Ducato. This extra width is one of the reasons the Ducato is by far the most commonly-used van for panel van conversions – it makes transverse beds more of a realistic proposition and gives more layout options than narrower vans.

All models of the new Master will use the same 2.3 litre dCi diesel engine, which comes in three versions – 100, 125 and 150hp. Although one engine for all models seems restrictive, in practice, there should be an engine option that’s suitable for everyone, I think.

Inside The Cab

As you might expect from a new model, the cab of the new Renault Master is well specified and aimed at the needs of working van drivers.

The dashboard of the new Renault Master van

This means lots of creature comforts, including built-in sat nav and air con on many models, as well as clever storage and office features – including storage for large items below the twin passenger seat and a clever arrangement where the centre passenger seat folds forward to become a desk-cum-drink holder – ideal for motorhome use if you can live without a swivel passenger seat.

The central passenger seat folds forward into a desk - great for in-cab lunches or maps and laptops

Will Motorhome Converters Switch To The New Master?

When I saw switch, I mean switch from the Fiat Ducato chassis cab. The answer, of course, is no. Fiat has tailored its offering to the motorhome converter market and offers the widest and (I think) lowest chassis cab platform for motorhome converters building coachbuilt motorhomes – the majority of the motorhome market. The Ducato panel van is still the widest on the market, too, offering the layout advantages I mentioned earlier.

Cost, too, is an issue. Ducatos are reputed to be far cheaper (at trade prices) than anything else on the market. Even at current UK list prices, Ducato panel van prices start from £17,415 +VAT while launch prices for the new Master will start from £20,795 – quite a big difference.

Finally, Fiat’s Camper Assist service provides breakdown cover across most of Europe, tailored to the needs of motorhomes. No other manufacturer has a service like this that can easily be packaged with every Fiat-based motorhome.

However, there are always a minority of models built onto different base vehicles and the Renault Master has always had a share of this section of the market, along with the Transit and the Sprinter. I can certainly see a niche for the new Master as a platform for large, 4-6 berth family coachbuilts. A 4.5 tonne, rear-wheel drive chassis cab ought to allow for greater payloads, better weight distribution and better driving characteristics than a front-wheel drive 4-tonne Ducato, rather as the 5-tonne Sprinter does at present.

Will It Fall Apart?

Despite the slightly flakey reputation of Renault cars, previous generations of the Renault Master have enjoyed fairly decent reputations for build quality and reliability. It will be interesting to see how this model fares – and how it drives, compared to others on the market.

Would I Buy One For My Next Motorhome Conversion?

It’s too early to say what kind of reputation this van will gain for itself, but at first glance, if I was planning another panel van conversion, then my base vehicle shortlist would probably include the new Master. I really like the idea of a rear-wheel drive van with diff lock as a compromise between a front-wheel drive van and a 4×4 van. The extra traction and stability of this setup could be an asset for unsurfaced roads, snow and ice and muddy campsites (especally if combined with winter tyres). I don’t think Ford or Mercedes offer a locking diff, although both offer four-wheel drive versions of their vans.

The new Transporter will boast Euro V compliant engines, a more car-like driving experience than ever and even more creature comforts. Interior options will include integrated hard drive navigation and audio systems, gear shift indicator for fuel economy and much more. New or upgraded safety features include a improved ESP system, hill start assist, side lane assist (to alert the driver to objects in the van’s blind sport) and tyre pressure monitoring.

The new range will include a new version of the VW California, the manufacturer’s own campervan conversion.

The new Transporter will come in panel van, Caravelle and California models

Dashboard of the new Transporter

The only problem is that they have always been a bit on the slow side… especially the older (pre T4) models. However, there may be a solution out there – at least for a lucky few.

Back in the 1980s, Porsche needed a support vehicle for their barn-storming Group B 959 Paris-Dakar Rally racer. The VW Transporter of the time had all the space and practicality necessary – but had no chance of keeping up!

Porsche decided that it could shoehorn its legendary 3.2 litre, flat-six boxer engine into a VW engine bay to provide the ultimate rally support vehicle – and did just that. The resulting vehicle was named the B32 and a total of eleven are thought to have been made.

You can see more details on Autoblog here or you can buy your own Porsche B32 here.

That’s right – there is currently a B32 for sale in Switzerland for the bargain price of CHF 105,000 (about £52,000 or $103,000USD).

The B32s come complete with Porsche wheels, upgraded suspension and 230hp from the air-cooled flat six – which was taken straight from the then air-cooled 911 Carrera.

I’m just off to sell my house…

This dominance looks likely to continue as Fiat’s new Ducato chassis has just been voted the 2007 Best Base Vehicle winner by UK magazine Which Motorcaravan.

The magazine especially praised the 3-litre, 160hp engine available in the new model, which they said “makes everything else seem a little insipid”.

A more economical (and quite capable) 130hp engine is also available exclusively to the motorhome market and Fiat will produce a special version of the Ducato chassis specifically designed for motorhome manufacturers.

Motorhoming is one of the fastest growing leisure activities in the UK, with over 11,000 new motorhomes registered every year – and more than 130,000 already on the roads.

See the original article here.