Fiat Ducato wins award

The Fiat Ducato has been named as the best vehicle on which to base a motorhome by Which Motorcaravan, the UK’s leading motorhome magazine.

Which Motorcaravan’s judges drive hundreds of motorhomes every year and the new Fiat Ducato emerged as the clear-cut winner.

“We knew that the new Ducato had not just to raise the game of its pensionable predecessor, but surpass it in every conceivable way,” said the judges.

“And surpass it, it has. The chassis is unique to Ducatos destined to become motorhomes, and offers wider rear track and a host of modifications, including special electrics and cab roof pre-cutting, to make life as easy as possible for motorhome manufacturers.

“The 3L, four-cylinder JTD multi-jet engine makes everything else seem a little insipid by comparison. Naturally, with all that class-leading power, it’s quick, but understanding just how potent comes only from hands-on experience.

“It handles superbly, too, and while the suspension is perhaps just a little too firm for some people’s liking, it doesn’t feel crashy or uncomfortable. The cabin is also an object lesson in clarity and modernity, and the swivel seats with in-built safety belts, driver’s airbag, electric windows, mirrors, and remote central locking are real advantages. The new Ducato is unquestionably the king of the current crop.”

Fiat is a market leader in Europe and the UK for the supply of base vehicles to the motorhome industry. The UK motorhome market is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 136,000 registered and sales of new motorhomes currently running at more than 11,000 per year.

In Australia and NZ, motorhome conversions are the largest single market sector for the Ducato, with six converters – Jayco, A’van, Trakka, Winnebago, Sunliner and Horizon – all using a range of specialist Ducato platforms to meet a wide range of different motorhome market requirements.

Pictured: The Jayco Platinum is based on the Fiat Ducato.