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Model dossier · Fiat

Fiat Ducato First generation

1981 to 1993 DieselPetrolHybrid 3-door van/minibus; 2-door pickup
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01 Overview

Fiat Ducato (First generation) was built from 1981 to 1993, as a 3-door van/minibus; 2-door pickup. Powertrain: Petrol: 1.8 L PSA 169B I4; 2.0 L PSA 170 I4; Diesel: 1.9 L Fiat 149B I4; 1.9 L Fiat 280A turbo I4; 2.4/2.5 L Sofim 8144 I4; 2.4/2.5 L Sofim…. Weight: 1590-1715 kg.

Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. The picture illustrates the body shape, not this car; a photograph is added when a licence-safe one exists.

02 Features and what it can do
Forced induction (turbo or supercharger)Hybrid powertrainDiesel option

Overview

The Ducato was first launched in 1981, and was the result of Fiat's collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën, that resulted in the vehicle's development starting in 1978. The vehicles were manufactured at the Sevel Val di Sangro plant in Atessa, in central Italy, and at the Sevel Campania plant in Pomigliano d'Arco, Naples, together with the similar Alfa Romeo AR6, Citroën C25, and Peugeot J5 versions. The Peugeot J5 was sold as the Talbot Express in the United Kingdom (1986–1994). The collaboration of Fiat and PSA had earlier produced the Fiat 242 and Citroën C35 from 1974. For the Fiat, engines were 1.8 and 2.0 litre 4-cylinder petrol or 1.9 litre diesel. Trim levels were base, S, and SX.

Electric version

In August 1992, some Fiat Ducatos were built with the 43 kW T29C electric DC motor from Leroy-Somer, named as the Ducato Elettra powered by 28 six-volt valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) gel cell batteries, producing 168 volts DC and 160 amperes, in a wooden box weighing 868 kg. This 4765 × 1965 × 2100 mm transporter (maximum gross weight 3190 kg) had a vehicle payload of 750 kg and a range up to 70 kilometers.

Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.

03 Specifications
Built1981-1993
Body3-door van/minibus; 2-door pickup
EnginePetrol: 1.8 L PSA 169B I4; 2.0 L PSA 170 I4; Diesel: 1.9 L Fiat 149B I4; 1.9 L Fiat 280A turbo I4; 2.4/2.5 L Sofim 8144 I4; 2.4/2.5 L Sofim 8140.27 turbo I4
Electric motor43 kW Leroy-Somer T29C LT250 electric motor (ELETTRA)
Weight1590-1715 kg
Built atVal di Sangro, Atessa, Italy (Sevel Sud); Pomigliano d’Arco, Naples, Italy (Sevel Sud)
Also sold asAlfa Romeo AR6; Peugeot J5; Citroën C25; Fiat Talento; Talbot Express
04 Market price

Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.

05 Buyer's guide

Who it suits

  • Families, groups and shuttle work: the people-carrier body is built around seating and access.
  • Work and haulage: a truck body is chosen for its load bed and payload.
  • High-mileage or city drivers who want lower fuel use without charging.

Check before you buy

  • Ask for a battery state-of-health report: the traction battery is the main value driver in a used hybrid or electric car. Battery SOH tool
  • Check the emissions equipment (particulate filter, NOx treatment) and the destination country's emissions rules; some markets restrict used diesels.
  • Ask for service records: turbocharged engines are sensitive to oil changes and cool-down habits.
  • Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
  • Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
  • Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
  • Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator

General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.

06 Import age windows

Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.

United StatesEligible now (built from 1981, 25-year rule).
CanadaEligible now (built from 1981, 15-year rule).
United KingdomEligible now (built from 1981, 10-year rule).
AustraliaEligible now (built from 1981, 25-year rule).
KenyaAll examples are older than the 8-year cap (newest built 1993).
07 Other generations and models

Other generations of the Ducato

  • Third generation · 2006 - present (Europe) ; 2007 - present (Latin-America) ; 2014 - present (North America)

More from Fiat · all Fiat models

08 Questions buyers ask

Can I import a Fiat Ducato (First generation) from Japan?

By production year alone, Fiat Ducato (First generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.

What powers the Fiat Ducato (First generation)?

Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: Petrol: 1.8 L PSA 169B I4; 2.0 L PSA 170 I4; Diesel: 1.9 L Fiat 149B I4; 1.9 L Fiat 280A turbo I4; 2.4/2.5 L Sofim 8144 I4; 2.4/2.5 L Sofim 8140.27 turbo I4; electric motor: 43 kW Leroy-Somer T29C LT250 electric motor (ELETTRA).

Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.

09 Sources

Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.

Work out the landed cost Back to EV Database
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