Fiat is launching its first four-wheel-drive since the Panda 4×4 – a considerably larger, heavy-duty mud-plugger to be sold under its Iveco commercial vehicles brand name.

The Iveco Massif has been developed and produced in a joint venture with Spanish 4×4-maker Santana. It is based on the chassis of the Iveco Daily 4×4 van, a model supplied for military use and other hardcore activities, and has an old-school body-on-frame construction.

Styled by Giugiaro, it nods to Fiat’s earlier Campagnola, a 4×4 supplied to the Italian army and clients including the police, fire services, forestry services and utility companies.

Engines for the range are 146bhp/258lb-ft and 176bhp/295lb-ft versions of a 3.0-litre diesel (Euro IV-compatible), with six-speed manual transmission and selectable rear-wheel/four-wheel drive with low-ratio transfer box. Freewheeling front hubs are optional.

The Massif will be offered as a short-wheelbase three-door, long-wheelbase five-door station wagon (which can be configured to seat up to seven people), or as a pick-up truck. A range of upholstery, equipment and trim options will be available, from ultra-utilitarian to leather-upholstered. Initial ‘All Black’ special edition models, with black paint and graphics to celebrate the marque’s sponsorship of the NZ rugby team’s upcoming fixtures, will kick off the launch.

Left-hand drive models will be launched first, with right-hand drive versions arriving in the UK in January 2009. They will be sold through Iveco dealerships, though other distribution outlets (not Fiat franchises) are under consideration. There’s no word yet on UK pricing, though the Massif is expected to be priced to rival the similar-in-ethos Land Rover Defender.

Vehicle Preparation The first thing to do before any unfamiliar water crossing is to walk it. If you cannot walk it you cannot cross it. If the water is flowing too quickly to safely walk the crossing, then it cannot be driven across. Remember, 4x4's actually float until water seeps into them. When you walk the crossing you are actually starting your vehicle preparation. You are giving the axles, diffs and gearbox time to cool down while you find out exactly how deep the water is.