Test drive Fiat Ducato Kombi since 2010 van

Score and shot

In the middle of last year, Sollers began production in Elabuga of the Italian Fiat Dukato. By this time, the GAZ group began to import into Russia already in commodity quantities of the Maxus of the English company LDV (Leyland-Daf Vans, belongs to Gaza), promising to soon arrange their release in Nizhny Novgorod. With the help of a fraction, ruler, satellites and his own fifth point, Yuri Nychetov compared two vans. Photo: Konstantin Yakubov.
Fiat Ducato The average base, the middle roof, the volume of the body is 10.0 m3, the carrying capacity of 1425 kg, the engine 2.3 l (110 hp), 5-speed mechanics, the Medium equipment, 575 000 rub.
LDV Maxus short SWB base, medium roof HR, body volume of 7.8 m3, carrying capacity 1422 kg, engine 2.5 l (120 hp), 5-speed mechanics, standard equipment, 524,000 rubles.
The comparison suggested by itself: one truck is already with a Russian residence permit, the other so far with a residence permit, while both are very attractive at a price of about a third cheaper of purebred foreigners. We take as a basis a test 10-point scale (8 points norm), use it to the cargo criteria, we carry out measurements and ...
The breadth of the choice
Dukato offers a frequent cut of three bases: 2850, 3200, 3700 m and three roof height values: 2150 (only on short -boiled machines), 2470 (on machines with a middle and long base), 2860 mm (with a long base). In the combination, we get four options for the body volume, which, unfortunately, is rigidly connected by the total mass and carrying capacity: 7.5 m3 2815/990 kg; 10.0 m3 3300/1425 kg; 12.0 m3 3500/1505 kg; 14.0 m3 3500/1455 kg. Because of this, there is no way to optimize the configuration for cargo of high or low density: one and a half tons of water packages will easily enter the most compact car, and 14 m3 of diapers or flowers will not be pulled for half a ton. The power unit is the only one. So, four options for wagons with an initial price of 490 thousand rubles. In the range there is also a 15-seater bus, on the way a cargo-passenger combi, an ambulance.
Maxus all -metal vans are produced with two versions of the wheelbase: 3100 and 3850 mm and three variants of the roof height: 2070 (only on cars with a short base), 2315, 2540 mm (only with a long base), which gives four possible volumes of the cargo compartment 7, 0; 7.8; 10.3; 11.4 m3. The total weight of the cars is 2800, 3200 and 3500 kg (long base), and the lifting range is from 917 to 1616 kg, which is almost 2 centners wider than that of the competitor. Power Unit Italian VM39C turbodiesel with a volume of 2.5 liters and a capacity of 95 or 120 hp. Total two dozen of possible combinations of volume-mass-power only for trifle vans, the prices of which begin with 504 thousand rubles. In addition, there are 11- and 15-seater buses, as well as several options for combi and chassis.
A curious nuance: only the smallest Dukato modification with a 7.5 cubic cargo compartment capable of taking 990 kg does not fall under the restriction of the carrying capacity (when entering the center of some cities). And from the Maxus only a pair of long -tanes, since short ones are easier and with the same total mass of 2800 kg, a little more than a ton is taken on board. It is presented, in both cases, marketers gave a mah: it was easier to untie the lifting capacity of the fiat from its size, and short maxuses are certified by 999 kg of cargo.
Fiat Ducato 7 points
LDV Maxus 9 points
CABIN
You need to sit in a fiat carefully: on a step -covered step, not long and slip, as happened with our photographer. The driver tall above 180 cm with the right knee will rush into the podium of the gearbox lever. But the steering column is adjustable along the angle of inclination, the landing is high, commanding, a wonderful overview in all directions facilitates two -section mirrors. It is a pity that the latter does not have any remote adjustment, you have to simply press their corners. And there is no heating even in the list of options.
An ergonomic miscalculation: at the entrance and withdrawal, the driver hurts the hip highly raised lever of the parking brake, the designers placed it on the left to free the central passenger in passenger modifications. Electrical windows operate only in automatic mode: in order to slightly open the glass, you need to touch the button twice.
The test ducato from the first batch, and perhaps that is why he poorly adjusted the cable drive of the box. The programs are not where you are looking for them, and sometimes you even confuse the lever between the II and IV programs are only 12 mm!
Maxus doors can be opened from the remote control (Dukato has only a central castle). The cabin is even fiatovskaya (the difference is 90 mm), but in it three large men in winter clothes are sitting, barely touching each other's shoulders. Unlike fiat, there is almost no bare metal and screws of screws, although plastic in places with a circle.
I note the lack of rudder adjustments (however, with my 180 cm I sat down quite comfortably) and not very convenient location (in the middle) and the configuration of the dashboard a tribute to unification with the right -handed version. The handle of opening the hood on the right.
From annoying trifles: there are no hooks for outerwear, it is easy to get confused in the sequentials of the electric windows, and the noise of the cabin, even at the first speed, drowns the engine! But the mirrors are equipped with an electrical regulatory and an unknown (!) Heating.
A chair with adjustments in height and corner of inclination and a pillow that protects the driver, three three -point inertial belts, audio training with two speakers of the dignity of both machines.
Fiat Ducato 6 points
LDV Maxus 7 points
BODY
In fiat, the height of the 10-cow compartment is 1880 mm, so most movers will be able to straighten freely. A side door in size of 1770x1290 mm allows you to freely operate with a European width of 1200 mm. In this case, the loading height is only 570 mm almost the best in the class! From the inside, the compartment is sheathed with plastic to the level of windows, a roomy mezzanine for personal belongings above the cabin.
Maxus cargo compartment with a volume of 7.8 m3 is modest and height: only 1715 mm. The fear of hitting the head makes us bent. A small side door with a size of 1420x1090 mm is unified with a low modification and does not allow you to load the palette (in long -term modification, the door is greater). From the inside, only the doors are sheathed with sheets of fiberboard, the spare wheel is located above the left arch, its fastening under the bottom is the option.
The common advantages of the vans: the rear doors open on 90 or 180 °, between the wheeled arches with a good margin, the pale is placed. The overall drawback of the substetrician on the rear wall of the cabin slightly reduces the length of the compartment in the upper part.
Fiat Ducato 9 points
LDV Maxus 6 points
Shodal qualities
Dukato for a hundred kilograms is heavier and a dozen horses weaker than Maksus, but even with ballast (that's why the fraction was needed!) He did not give a reason to complain about slowness. The traction reinforcements were quite enough for a dynamic driving at the pace of cars, while the average fuel consumption was 8.1 l/100 km! And the competent selection of gear rates of the transmission caused only a slightly more than a second to lag from Maxus in exercises on elasticity in the IV transmission. The character of Dukato is calm and flexible, the suspension is soft, the engine is very quiet and, like an opponent, demonstrates a noticeable pickup after 1,500 rpm. The car stumbled a little only in braking: the third consecutive revealed an increase in the stroke and the effort on the pedal seems to be lacking in temperature stability.
The start of the Maxus engine is unexpectedly dragged out: the starter works for about a second, you involuntarily pay attention to this. An empty van shows a light agility right. The lag from the fiat in the initial acceleration phase is explained by unnecessary tires and their greater slipping. With 1220 kg of ballast, two large -format crew members and a set of satellite measuring equipment, Maxus weighs the most allowed 3200 kg, but in this case remains very dynamic. Alas, even the full load is not able to soften the rigid nature of the suspension reinforced for Russia: it is difficult to make entries on the go due to shaking. Talk too, but already because of the revolution of the motor in acceleration modes. You need to get used to the brake pedal: the first 70 mm it falls out almost without effort. But the radius of the turn of Maxus really turned out to be half a meter less than that of Dukato.
ABS in both machines in the list of options, but the front -wheel drive layout guarantees stability on slippery coating and good cross -country ability even empty.
Fiat Ducato 8 points
LDV Maxus 8 points
EXPLOITATION
Both vans have a two -year guarantee, but in Dukato it is without a mileage, and Maxus remains 125 thousand km. Warranty for galvanized bodies eight and six years, respectively. For ducato, the frequency of then 15 thousand km; Oil needs to be changed every 30 thousand km. In Maxus, oil replacement is recommended after 25 thousand km, although some dealers are trying to impose on intermediate examinations.
Both cars in standard configuration are adapted to our conditions: they have increased capacity batteries and powerful steel protection of the motor compartment. The clearance under it at Dukato is a modest 155 mm, and Maxus has enviable 195 mm. Yes, and the wheels 205/75R16 in the English van are more tenacious than 205/70R15 for the opponent.
Fiat Ducato 8 points
LDV Maxus 9 points
General assessment
Dukato appeared in Europe back in 1993, but it can still serve as a standard perfectly conceived, has a broadest gamut and could well become a favorite, if not for the aforementioned annoying miscalculations.
Maxus an example of a complete implementation of a good concept is captivated by a wide selection of modifications and excellent adaptability to bad roads. However, let's not forget that so far this is an English product at a Russian price. What qualities he will lose, and which will acquire with the development of assembly in Russia. And will he be produced here at all?! So far, the preparation of production has been postponed. For financial reasons.
Fiat Ducato 7.6 points
LDV Maxus 7.8 points
Yuri Nechetov: Paradoxically, I’m not sure that my personal choice would coincide with the test results. Part of Dukato’s shortcomings can be eliminated on their own, the machine is well known to the repairmen and are provided with spare parts, and private traders are served more. And Maxus has yet to create a name and reputation.
 
 
 



 

 

Source: The magazine "Driving"