FIAT is piling on the pressure in the car-derived van sector with two new models - Doblo Cargo and new Punto van - on display at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Although Fiat rebadges Citroen and Peugeot vans in the upper ranges, it chose to ignore the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner in favour of its own design with the Doblo.

Its wacky looks hide a practical vehicle with class-leading load space at 3.2 cubic metres - and the van boasts a host of features that set it ahead of the car-derived pack. Loading deck height is lower than the Berlingo and width between the wheelarches is greater than both Berlingo and the rival Renault Kangoo. The van is available in 1.2-litre petrol guise at £7,995 ex-VAT or 1.9-litre diesel format at £8,250.

As yet, common rail diesel power is not available but there are plans to fit Fiat's JTD unit later, along with the addition of a high-roof version with 3.8cu m of loadspace this autumn. Official figures put the Doblo Cargo diesel's top speed at 87mph, with 63bhp on tap at 4,500rpm and 87lb-ft of torque at 2,500rpm.

The new Punto van boasts an extra 60kg payload over the old model, up from 450kg to 510. The van also benefits from the features of the Punto car and has a new 1.9-litre indirect injection diesel engine which can achieve 49.6mpg on the combined cycle.