11 Sep 08 12:05
Iveco Campagnola
Iveco, Fiat's commercial vehicles division, is reviving the Campagnola ('country girl') 4x4.
This new model is based on the Spanish Santana Anibal (itself originally derived from the Land Rover Defender) and will be built for Iveco by Santana in Spain. Santana also makes the heavy-duty Massif for Iveco.
The new Campagnola will come with the Iveco 3.0-litre diesel engine (176bhp) as used in the Daily van range, a six-speed manual gearbox with low ratios and selectable 2/4 wheel-drive.
It has been styled by Italdesign-Giugiaro and Fiat's Centro Stile. It looks every inch an old-school jeep with its boxy, utilitarian three-door body and blunt front end. It will, however, be offered with some creature comforts: options will include air conditioning, a CD player and sat nav. Prices will start from €29,800 including VAT.
The original Campagnola, inspired by the Willy's Jeep (precursor to the Wrangler), was built by Fiat 1951-87. As with the original, Fiat is planning sales to military customers; it plans to make 4,000-4,500 a year for both defence and civilian usage.
