The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Fiat’s got talent
If your business is trying to decide between an affordable compactsized van and a spacious larger one, Fiat's Talento could prove to be the perfect compromise between the two.
Vans have been becoming more and more car-like in recent years – and this one is no exception. The driving position, though not as high-set as you'd find in the marque's larger Ducato model, is nonetheless commanding.
And it's comfortable on the move, coping admirably with the atrocious surfaces offered up by poorer sections of the British road network. That relaxed approach also extends to the electric power steering, which at speed, could offer a bit more feel.
You appreciate its lightness around town though, where this van is impressively manoeuvrable for its size.
If you're used to very big vans, you will have to adjust to this one's lower stance.
This, combined with the big front overhang, can initially make parking a bit tricky, though rearward vision is helped hugely by the huge door mirrors with their separate wide-angle reflectors.
Under the bonnet, the Talento gets a range of efficient 1.6-litre turbo and twin-turbo diesel engines, all equipped with a sixspeed manual gearbox as standard.
There's a choice of two engine design themes – single-turbo MultiJet units or more efficient but pricier twin-turbo Ecojet powerplants.
The MultiJet models come with 95 or 120bhp. The Ecojet options come in 95, 125 and 145bhp forms.
From a design standpoint, the Talento is compact and well-proportioned. The forwardstretching windscreen connects neatly to the short bonnet and the overall effect creates something a lot better looking than the old Scudo model.
There's no doubt that this Talento has what it takes to offer an attractive alternative to the Transit Custom, Vivaro, Transporter and Trafic models of this world, but whether you'd want one over its Citroen and Peugeot design stablemates will depend as usual much upon the deal that you're offered and the proximity and convenience of your local franchise.
Excluding VAT, the figures start at just under £20,000 for the entry-level 1.6-litre MultiJet 95hp SWB standard roof van. There's a premium of around £400 to upgrade to the pokier 125bhp Ecojet engine, while around another £1,000 gets you the faster 145bhp Ecojet unit. If you want the long wheelbase bodystyle, the engine options start with the 120bhp Multijet unit, priced from around £21,500.