Fiat mediums for Britain
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THE FIAT Z range — first seen at the Frankfurt Show last year — is now available in the UK.
Individually known as the 55F10 and the 75F10, the new models replace the existing 0M55 and 75 vehicles. The type numbers relate to the specifications of the 55 and 75, approximating to the gross weights of 5,7 and 7.5 tonnes respectively. The F stands for Fiat and the 10 indicates the engine power — 100bhp by the continental DIN standard but 70kW (95bhp) at 2,800rprn to BS AU 141a.
Although the engine has approximately the same capacity as that fitted to the OMs, it is in fact a totally different design. Built by Fiat rather than OM, it is an oversquare design with a bore/ stroke of 115 x 110mm (4.5 x 4.3in). This compares with the 110 x 120mm of the previous engine. The maximum torque of 285Nm (2101bft) is produced at 1,600 rpm.
Both models have a 28Ornm (11in) diameter single-plate clutch, hydraulically operated, • but the gearboxes differ. The 55 has the same five-speed synchromesh box as the previous OM model, whereas the 75 has a new heavy duty box from ZF, still with five speeds. This gearbox gives a wider spread of performance, having an 8 to 1 bottom gear compared with the 6 to 1 of the lighter box.
The 55F10 is available with a choice of three wheel-bases — 2.6, 3.0 and 3.6m (8ft Gin, 9ft 10in and lift 10in).
The two longer wheelbases are also listed for the 75 with a 4.4m (14ft Sin) version replacing the 2.6m model.
These dimensions apply to the chassis cab. Integral van versions of both weights are also available in 3.0 and 3.6m wheelbase sizes.
Behind the offside front wing is the engine's air cleaner, drawing air through a snorkel up the back of the cab with the intake above the roof.