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Mr. Luc Gyselen, Brand Country Manager of Fiat Professional, handed over the keys of the Fiat Doblò Cargo Frigo to Pierre Marcolini, in front of his shop on the Brussels Sablon

World famous chocolatier Pierre Marcolini was looking for an ideal vehicle to distribute his delicate chocolate and other delicious products. He found an ideal partner in Fiat Professional, and his choice was soon made: now a Fiat Doblò Cargo brings his heavenly tasteful creations unblemished and refrigerated to his clients… 

We were invited by the dynamic PR people from Fiat Group Automobiles Belgium to witness the event, where Luc Gyselen, Brand Country Manager of Fiat Professional, handed over the keys of the Fiat Doblò Cargo Frigo at the Marcolini shop on the Brussels Sablon. Needless to say that we were present, and we also made here an interview with Mr. Gyselen on the policies and activities of Fiat Professional, of which you will read soon more in a separate report.

But here let us return to the delicatessen, and the astonishing Doblò Cargo…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

A craftsmen’s choice

As a true artist and craftsman, Pierre Marcolini knows that a judicious choice of his tools is of utmost importance. He soon fell for the 2011 Van of The Year, the Doblò Cargo. It has  indeed an innovative design and generous dimensions, which make the new Doblò Cargo the benchmark in its category.

This vehicle was developed from the design stage to be an authentic commercial vehicle, and constructed on a new platform, boasts several records for its category: internal length of up to 2.17 metres, width between wheel arches of 1.23 metres, volumes up to 4.6 cubic metres.   

It also boasts very modern engines: a 95 HP 1.4 petrol unit, a 1.4 Turbo methane-petrol unit and three turbodiesels (a second generation 90 HP 1.3 MultiJet, a 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet and a 135 HP 2.0 MultiJet). All units are Euro5 compliant with Start&Stop as standard and particulate filter on diesel units.

The Doblò Cargo Frigo

Pierre Marcolini chose the refrigerated version of the Doblò. Indeed, the loading space is actually laid out as a cooling chamber. Thanks to the generous roof space, the flat NEOS 100 refrigerator unit could be mounted into the ceiling of the freight space. The aerodynamic shape of the Doblò did not need to be altered, and the insulating “sandwich” panels follow perfectly the shape(s) of the bodywork.

Because the car will be mainly driving in Brussels traffic, Pierre Marcolini opted for the short chassis version. This makes the Doblò very manoeuvrable, while the surface area remains sufficiently generous with 1610 x 1360 mm and a volume of 3 cubic metres. The wide lateral sliding door is of course very useful, and seating space for driver and passenger is roomy indeed.

Pierre Marcolini opted for the 105 HP 1.6 MultiJet, a frugal yet very willing and smooth engine, with excellent flexibility, which is crucial when you are transporting delicate and delicious goods.

The Doblò is painted in pristine white, with the characteristic Marcolini logo, the cacao fruit, painted on the sides.

Turin, the city of chocolate…

Fiat and chocolate, they have a rich history together. It is a well-known fact thatTurinis besides an automakers’ city also the centre inItalyfor… chocolate. Chocolatiers inTurinmake the so typical “Gianduiotto”, a small chocolate, but of course also numerous other specialties.

Turin organises also an annual chocolate festival, where the most famous Piemontese chocolate producers take part, amongst others Caffarel and Streglio. By choosing the Fiat Doblò, Pierre Marcolini follows the tradition of his Italian colleagues…

At the event, whe had an interview with Luc Gyselen, Brand Country Manager of Fiat Professional, of which soon more... 
 

We show you here the photos, and will soon be back with an interview of Mr. Gyselen on the policies and activities of Fiat Professional…

Hans Knol ten Bensel