4 minute read
Iveco Daily
Daily update
Iveco’s model year 22 Daily features a host of improvements, from updated engines and transmissions, to air suspension and advanced connectivity, says Dan Gilkes
The recently updated Iveco Daily may look very similar to its predecessors, but under the skin there have been some important updates. The firm’s 2.3-litre diesel engine, which has power outputs of 116-156hp, conforms to both light and heavy-duty test cycles, meeting Euro 6-D Final and Euro VI-E respectively.
The engines use double SCR after-treatment, that fits within the same space as the previous system, so there is no problem with existing bodies and conversions. Improvements contribute to a potential 6% fuel saving in regular use.
The heavy-duty 3.0-litre diesel motor now offers 160-207hp, while the 3.0-litre engine can still be had with CNG gas power, offering 136hp. While many customers take Daily with the eight-speed automatic transmission, there is an improved six-speed manual gearbox on offer too, that can handle up to 15% more torque. This offers added performance in applications where a power-take-off is required.
Daily now comes with optional AirPro pneumatic suspension, that continuously adapts to road conditions to deliver a smoother ride. Air-Pro Continuous Damping Control makes calculations concerning the road surface every 10 milliseconds, providing the ideal pressure in each shock absorber to deliver the best dynamic reaction. This contributes to a 25% reduction in vibration in the cab, making life easier for the driver.
The driver can also choose between Soft, Load and Auto settings. Soft prioritises comfort, while Load optimises handling and roll control in fully laden conditions. As the name suggests, the Auto setting automatically self-adjusts to meet the needs of the vehicle at the time. Iveco claims that Air-Pro can reduce roll angle in cornering by up to 30%, improving safety and load protection. As with all air suspension systems, it can also be used to adjust the height of the vehicle, with a memory function making it possible to pre-set previously visited loading bays.
Iveco has taken the next step in vehicle connectivity with the new Daily, which now comes with Iveco Driver Pal. This vocal and digital driver companion uses Amazon Alexa technology to allow the driver to interact with the vehicle and with other drivers nearby. MyIveco lets the driver check the health of the vehicle, manage the navigation and ask for driving tips if required. MyCommunity allows the driver to communicate with other drivers, exchanging advice about unplanned stops and delays, using information about traffic congestion and disruptions. The system even has automatic translation, for those venturing further afield.
Less technical perhaps, but no less necessary, Daily also gets completely new seating, with the central pads of the cushion and backrest made of memory foam. This moulds to the driver’s body, to better distribute weight, cutting pressure peaks by up to 30%, for greatly improved long distance comfort.
Iveco has announced that it will bring a second-generation electric Daily to the market by the end of this year. The company reports that companies are already asking for an electric option in fleet tenders, as we rapidly approach the 2030 cut-off for the sale of diesel and petrol-powered vans and it predicts a UK electric van market this year of at least 25,000 vehicles.
The Daily Electric van and chassis will initially be seen at the IAA exhibition in Hanover, in September. Battery technology has moved on since the first Daily Electric was launched and Iveco will be keen to break into the heavy electric van market. It believes that changes to total cost of ownership calculations, which take into account the reduced maintenance requirement and lower fuel cost per mile of an EV, will see rapidly growing demand for the vans when they arrive next year.
One area where the company’s current models will help Iveco take a lead ,will be in the broad choice of converted chassis that are available to suit varying customer needs. Iveco offers a growing range of Driveaway ready-bodied models, all of which can be supplied as a finished vehicle by the dealer with the same unlimited mileage, three-year warranty as the base chassis. Iveco already offers dropside and tipper conversions, Luton box vans and curtain-side vehicles, under the Driveaway banner. However, it has been working with a diverse group of bodybuilders and converters to offer a much broader range of bodies.
Possible additions to the range in the future include a 7-tonne recovery vehicle, a 3.5-tonne Traffic Management vehicle, a tipper with secure storage box behind the cab and a welfare vehicle.
