New Fiat 9-speed auto box

BB, if it is anything like the Iveco box it needs heavy boots to get the best performance. Not the slippers of motorhomers. It's quite possible that Low Mileage Motorhomer will not get the best out of it but it should be better than the Comfortmatic.

Agree with Aspenshaw. There is a much different driving technique required for a TC auto gearbox compared to a manual - the heavier the boot, the longer between changes.

We have researched the new automatic Fiat vans and many reviews suggest it is very smooth and not detrimental to the vehicle's performance in the larger engine version. Some even said it was the best part of the vehicle! We live in hope!

It is difficult to assess the performance of a vehicle until it has covered a few hundred miles as the ECU is generally set to limit performance for a period from new.

ive driven TC boxes many years ago, usually in underpowered cars so not much fun, even with a heavy boot....the reward, heavy fuel consumption.

....i must say, i was going pretty carefully as i was driving £150k's worth of van and, although the same brand, one a little wider and a metre and a half longer...

yes, it was smooth and, despite some opinion, i think the Ducato still drives pretty well for for a near 14 yr old model (baring engine and gearbox revisions).

my dad has a Peugeot robotic auto jobby which i hate in some areas and love in others...

would i go for one?.....possibly, but immediately felt right at home in our manual van for the long drive home...so not yet.

other options coming on stream now are the Merc, Transit, the Crafter/MAN bases with DSG boxes and, as mentioned, the Iveco (Ford) for larger vehicles.

so choice widening.

OK the motorhome driving characteristics will be different to a car, and the ZF 9HP gearbox is an excellent unit but will only be as good as the software written for it, something 'Jeep' learnt from its early days of using it and subsequently improved its software. So Fiat I'm sure will take full advantage of that early days hiccup.

LandRover uses 2-9 in normal use with first reserved for off road or can be enforced by use of the paddles, this gives 3mph at tickover so definitely within site limits 

I wonder if Peugeot will ever get round to having an automatic box? Perhaps they are just waiting for electric vans to become common place as I imagine they will have auto boxes. Good that Fiat have taken the plunge with a proper automatic. Have driven automatic cars for the last 14 years and absolutely no wish to go back to a manual. As our current motorhome is less that a year old I suspect we won't be in the market for a new van anytime soon.

David

if it is anything like the Iveco box it needs heavy boots to get the best performance.

Does anyone really want great performance from a motorhome. I am quite happy to poodle along in my IVEC with it 6 speed Agile semi auto box. I am not one for rushing around and it has been very relaible so far.

peedee

David, Peugeot obviously do have a range of auto boxes for their passenger cars and MPVs....my father has a Partner Teepee...lole a larger Berlingo...

whether they have versions to fit larger vans, i dont know, but the Boxer, along with the Ducato and Jumper, is part of the Sevel collaboration with Citoen and Peugeot fitting their own engines (and gearboxes) to differentiate from the Ducato.

many converters give their customers an Auto option by building the same layout on a Fiat, rather than Peugeot base.

im not sure if Bailey offer this option, but certainly AS do.

for some buyers, an auto option (or not) might take precedence over even the layout.