Five in a row for Fiat Ducato

A UK magazine has for the fifth year in a row judged the Fiat Ducato as the best vehicle on which to base a motorhome.
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The third-generation Ducato, which went on sale in 2006 and was designed specifically for motorhome conversions, impressed the Which Motorhome judges with its blend of power, acceleration, relaxing drive and smooth gearshifts.

Which Motorhome editor Peter Vaughan said: “We all know that Fiat dominates the motorhome market,­ and rightly so, because the Ducato offers by far the best combination of price, performance, handling, specification, and different derivatives to suit different motorhoming needs.”
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“And while the 2.3-litre MultiJet engine is a great all-rounder, the 3.0-litre is such a refined powerhouse that it’s hard to resist spending the extra, especially on bigger vans – and particularly because it comes with the further option of Fiat’s (six-speed) MTA (robotised manual) transmission.”
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Fiat is currently market leader in mainland Europe and the UK for the supply of base vehicles to the motorhome industry.

In Australia, eight local converters use the Ducato for motorhome conversions, including Jayco, Trakka, Winnebago, Sunliner, A’van, Horizon, Paradise and Suncamper.
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Part of the appeal is that chassis versions come in a range of lengths and heights with different axles and construction materials to suit.
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Further boosting flexibility is the drivetrain is contained to the front of the vehicle including the fuel tank ahead of the load area. This means more equipment can be placed under the floor, freeing up living space, and the floor is lower, improving ease of access.
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Fiat sold 868 Ducatos in Australia in 2009 for motorhome and other purposes, and is on track to sell more than 800 in 2010.?