Iveco has come to the party big time with more options, including a full-on eight-speed automatic from ZF. Cathy Parker reports.
The industry-first eight-speed automatic gearbox is a class exclusive for the new Iveco Daily, and is likely to widen its appeal amongst fleets, especially where the vehicles do a lot of start-stop and round town dut,y and also the likes of campervan fleets, where they need to cater to a wide range of drivers.
The new gearbox is termed the Hi-Matic, and is manufactured by ZF. It offers a manual sequential override and Eco and power modes, and is a $4,050 option across the full range.
It used to be that vans were utilitarian carryalls, but while the cargo area still meets that description, modern vans are designed to be aware of driver comfort, productivity and health and safety with the cab containing features that would shame some cars. This includes the Ivecoconnect system comprising a seven inch screen with GPS mapping, audio, Bluetooth hands free and reversing camera.
Safety isn’t forgotten, with driver, passenger and curtain airbags, front and rear disc brakes, ABS with EBD, stability control with trailer sway mitigation and hill holder. The dashboard is definitely car-like and the seats have good adjustment and support, with the option of air suspended seats for longer haul work.
There is impressive in-cab storage, with a myriad of sized and shaped compartments, including some awesomely commodious under-seat storage bins to keep gear secure and out of sight. To help with loading and unloading the floor height in the vans is now 55mm lower.
The range is vast, with vans coming in three roof heights (low, medium and high), two wheelbases, and a total of five different lengths giving eight size options from 9 cu.m to 19.8 cu.m with 3.5 and 5.0T load capacities. This is supplemented by six cab-chassis options covering four wheelbase lengths from 3,450mm to 4,750mm, four overall length options and 3.5, 5.0 and 7.0T load capacities. There is also a dual cab option on the 5,0T and 7.0T models. A dedicated minibus version will also be available and the 4x4 version arrives in 2016.
To cover the range there are four turbo-diesel engine options ranging from the base 2.3-litre with 93 kW/320Nm standard on the 3.5T models, through 3-litre 125kW.430Nm standard on the 5.0 and 7.0T models and optional on the 3.5 range. The range-topping 3-litre twin-turbo150kW/470Nm motor is optional on all models.
The new engines include smart alternator technology which reduces power loss when only low output is needed, along with the optional stop/start system which delivers up to 14 percent fuel savings for the new model.
The new Daily has already won the International Van of the Year award for 2015, and the long nose styling helps them stand out from the usual boxy vans.
The vans were comfortable to drive on the launch test route, which included town, motorway and rural roads. They handle well with minimal body roll, while the rear air suspension helps give a good ride (for a van).
The eight-speed Hi-Matic was a joy to drive, while the six-speed manual box took a bit of getting used to with the three-four gears easy to miss until you realised the lever was spring loaded to the central gate and you just let it stop and then slip it into the gear rather than trying to find it. Performance was excellent for the two higher power versions we tried.
With the wide range of models and the availability of a fully automatic gearbox the Daily will fill the needs of many fleets.
Prices
3.5T 9 cube van $64,055
3.5T 10.8 cube van $65,895
3.5T 12 cube van $68,655
3.5T 16 cube van $71,300
5.0T 12 cube van $76,475
5.0T 16 cube van $79,350
5.0T 18 cube van $82,800
5.0T 19.6 cube van $87,400
3.5T 3450 cab-chassis $56,522.50
3.5T 3750 cab-chassis $57385
5.0T 3750 cab-chassis $68,080
5.0T 4350 cab-chassis $68,492.50
7.0T 4350 cab-chassis $77,395
7.0T 4750 cab-chassis $78,315
