72 FIAT

20th September 1968, Page 130

20th September 1968

Page 130

Page 130, 20th September 1968 — 72 FIAT

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Fiat (England) Ltd., Northdale House, North Circular Road, London, NW70.

FIAT does not sell commercial vehicles in this country and is, apparently, not making any plans to do so in the near future so it can be presumed that the concem's representation at Earls Court is primarily for prestige reasons and the fact that Commercial Motor Show is becoming progressively more international in character. A range of four vehicles is on the stand, one being a 1.25-ton pick-up while three are tractive units which are particularly suitable for trans-European haulage.

The 25cwt pick-up is the Fiat 241 N which first made its appearance at the Geneva Show earlier this year. It has a wheelbase of 7ft 6in. and is powered by a four-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 51 bhp. A 1.9-litre diesel with an output of 47 bhp is available as an alternative and in both cases the transmission is through a four-speed synchromesh gearbox to a hypoid-bevel rear axle. Front suspension is independent with coil springs and wishbones while at the rear semi-elliptic springs are used. Telescopic dampers and anti-roll bars are fitted at both front and rear.

Lightest of the tractive units on view is the model 643 T. There are four wheelbase lengths for this model, the 10ft 7in. version being the tractive unit and this is shown with right-hand drive. The engine used in the chassis is a 160 bhp diesel and the drive is through a five-speed gearbox; an optional gearbox is a 10-speed unit. Braking is by an air-over-hydraulic system and there are independent circuits for the front and rear axles and the semi-trailer. The handbrake acts on the transmission.

Like all the Fiat heavy trucks, the 643 T has a high-standard all-steel cab. All three Fiat heavies at the Show have a similar cab but whereas the 643 T model is designed for a maximum gross combination weight of 26.3 tons, both the other two are designed for operation at 38 tons g.c.w. The 619 T is a four wheeler and the 693 T a 6 x 4 design but both have the same 208 bhp diesel and eight-speed synchromesh gearbox. On both these models there are independent braking systems for each axle and the semi-trailer connection, the brakes in these cases being applied through a full air-system.

Evaluation of Fiat designs is provided for by various trucks in the demonstration park and models available will include the 650 El truck and the 643 and 693 tractive units.