The new Fiat Ducato range is here, bringing with it the promises of lower running costs, a higher-quality interior and more body style options than ever before.

The sixth generation Ducato has a lot to live up to, following huge success across a wide variety of commercial platforms. In an effort to keep costs down as other parts of the van were improved, the three old engines have been replaced with two, but which offer four power outputs - one more than in the old range.

There are 110, 130, 148 and 177bhp versions from a 2.3-litre and a 3.0-litre engine block. All are more efficient than the models they replace and are fully Euro 5 emissions regulations compliant.

The service intervals on the new engine are longer too, up from 25,000 miles to 30,000 miles, so the new range will need work less often.

All engines will come with manual gearboxes as standard, but the 3.0-litre models can be specified with an automated manual - not the same as a true automatic gearbox. It's a manual transmission where the traditional gear lever is replaced by a more automatic-style drive selector lever and actuators that respond either automatically or when the driver moves the lever.

There will be eight different capacities of van ranging from eight to 17 cubic metres. The Ducato is often used for other applications as well.

The various lengths and gross vehicle weights of the chassis combined with the new engines give converters an enormous choice of base vehicle for anything from a minibus to a motorhome, or even a flatbed truck.

It has plenty of optional useful technology, including an optional Blue&Me TomTom Live system and Traction+, which uses the van's ESP system to emulate a locking differential and helps it to cover, for example, icy roads or muddy uphill tracks. The new Ducato goes on sale this month.