Sector: Light truck Price: TBA Fuel: n/a CO2: n/a

The march of the Iveco Daily continues with the launch of the latest version, bringing a number of revisions to the model launched in 2014. While the latest revisions are concerned with launching the Euro 6 engine line-up, the company has introduced some fairly significant alterations.

Iveco claims reductions of up to 8% for fuel consumption, compared with Euro 5 models and reductions of up to 12% in maintenance and repair costs. In-cab noise is said to have been lowered by 4dB.

The Hi-Matic eight-speed ZF automatic transmission is now available with all variants of the 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre four cylinder engine families, except the 150hp unit. In the short term, customers will be able to choose between exhaust after treatment technologies for the

Iveco has also launched the Daily Business Up Mobile App for Android and Apple iOS smart phones and tablets, which offers a useful package of fleet management and telematics possibilities. Daily will be available with a new 5,100mm wheelbase chassis for 7.0-tonne GVW variants.

New power ratings replace those for the previous models with the 2.3-litre engine offering 120hp, 140hp and 160hp, while the 3.0-litre engine comes with 150hp, 180hp and 210hp. In addition there will be natural gas and electric versions. Service intervals have been extended up to 50,000km when using synthetic oils, while Iveco says that SMR costs can be cut by a further 10% for those choosing the Hi-Matic transmission.

The Daily Business Up App makes a range of telematics information available via smartphone or tablet. All Dailys will need is the new DAB radio that links with Business Up. With it, drivers can see a real-time assessment of their driving style. For manual transmission models, gear selection is also recorded. The app can offer extra information not shown on the vehicle dashboard. Business Up also includes an interactive User Handbook with links to pages and a dealer locator.

Other functions include radio, music, and a phone manager to manage calls and messages. Iveco has partnered with Sygic to deliver a fleet management package offering tracking, navigation and routeing and scheduling with job dispatch. The driver can obtain customer signatures on the smart phone or tablet and all data can be downloaded by the fleet manager.

Inside the cab, there’s a new leather covered steering wheel, blue seat covers and textile foam headrests. Up to 18 storage compartments are now included. An adjustable cradle for smart phones or tablets is available.

On the road the reduction in noise is immediately noticeable, making the Daily cab an even more pleasant place to work. I drove a 2.3-litre 140hp version on the launch with the Hi-Matic transmission, which would be a real help to drivers on multi-drop routes. Our route included twisting mountain roads and the ZF gearbox always picked the right gear even on steep climbs with hairpin bends.

Verdict:

An impressive development of it's highly capable predecessor. Lower noise, lower running costs and the smart new Business Up app look set to win new customers.

Sector: Large van Gross Weight: 3.3–7.2 tonnes Load Volume: 7.3–19.6m3 Power: 106–205hp

In a rapidly changing marketplace it is perhaps surprising that Iveco’s Daily van range is only now in its third generation. Daily is a firm favourite with a number of fleets, its truck-like ladder frame giving it a robust strength for body mounting, particularly at heavier weights.

Daily can certainly carry a load too, with the van range now going right up to 7.2 tonnes GVW and regular van bodies up to an incredible 19.6m3. Iveco offers three wheelbases with five body lengths and three roof heights, not to mention six wheelbases for the chassis cab models, four of which can be had with single rear wheels.

Despite this variety, the firm admits that 38% of 3.5-tonne GVW vans sold in Europe have a load volume of 9-11m3, while a further 35% are in the 11-14m3 class. With that in mind, new body volumes of 10.8m3 and 12m3 are seen as pivotal models in the revised Daily line-up.

These van sizes have been created in response to customer feedback, achieved by lengthening the wheelbases but not the bodies, to reduce rear overhangs. This has also helped to optimise the balance between overall length, wheelbase and interior load length. Iveco says that the 10.8m3 van in particular will deliver the best load efficiency in its class, offering 3,130mm of internal load space on a 3,520mm wheelbase.

The longer distance between axles, in combination with the van’s new Quad-leaf front suspension that has leaf springs mounted transversely across the van, also contributes to improved ride comfort. Updated rear suspension, on single rear wheel vans at least, has geometry that is recalibrated to reduce the possibility of oversteer. More importantly, the new set-up at the rear saves 8kg and contributes to a welcome 55mm drop in load floor height.

As before, there are plenty of engines to choose from, based on the firm’s 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre diesel and CNG motor families. At 3.5 tonnes, the most popular are likely to be the base 106hp version of the 2.3-litre or the more powerful 126hp engine. In 126hp trim the 2.3-litre delivers a healthy 320Nm of torque, enough to pull a half laden van along with ease.

Of perhaps more interest is what happens after the motor, with Iveco dropping its AGile automated manual in favour of a full auto eight-speed ZF transmission. The Hi-Matic transmission will carry the same €2,025 premium as AGile, though Iveco claims that it offers a 4.1% fuel consumption improvement and a 4kg weight saving over the previous box.

Iveco is claiming fuel savings of up to 5.5% compared to the previous van, thanks to improved aerodynamics, an Eco switch in the cab, low viscosity oils, a smart alternator that recovers kinetic energy and low rolling resistance tyres.

As well as lower noise levels, drivers will welcome a revised dashboard, seat and steering wheel. The seat is mounted lower in the new van, while the top of the windscreen has been raised, making it easier for taller drivers to view the road ahead.

Verdict:
The changes to Daily are certainly significant, offering increased carrying capacity and lower running costs, with welcome upgrades for the driver too.

Sector: Large van Price: from €30,000 Fuel: from 6.7l/100km CO2: from 179g/km

The Daily van range represents 55% of all Iveco sales worldwide. The Italian manufacturer has invested €500m in the third generation Daily to roll off the production lines in Europe, Brazil and China and, despite initial appearances, 80% of the body is new.

Unlike many LCVs, Iveco has stayed true to its heavy-duty design maxim and retained a separate ladder chassis and body construction. However, this time around the company has designed its panel vans and its chassis cabs as two separate models, to better meet the needs of their individual customers.

The rear overhang has been reduced and wheelbases extended to improve load efficiency and handling, while panel van models have been stretched further, to an incredible 19.6m3 capacity. There are still vans, crew cabs, chassis cabs and minibus versions available and gross weights top out at 7.0 tonnes.

All van models up to 3.5 tonnes get a new quad-lead front suspension system with double wishbones and transverse leaf springs that delivers improved handling and stability, yet retains a remarkably tight turning circle. Heavy-duty models will retain the quad-tor torsion bar set-up, providing an axle rating of up to 2.5 tonnes. Single rear wheel models also benefit from new rear suspension geometry that contributes to a 55mm reduction in rear floor height, making the van easier to load and unload.

There are a host of engine outputs available, from 106hp to 205hp, from a range of 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre diesels. Both Euro 5B and Euro 6 heavy-duty ratings are available, with Euro 6 models having both SCR and EGR. Overall Iveco is claiming a drop of 5.5% in fuel consumption, with savings of up to 14% available when combined with an optional Eco Pack that incorporates improved aerodynamics, an Eco switch in the cab and smart alternator and air-conditioning systems along with Start/Stop. The Eco switch allows the driver to switch between two engine torque maps, to allow the van to run with less torque when unladen, saving fuel.

In the cab Iveco has lowered the driver’s seat by 15mm and raised the top of the windscreen by 40mm. The result is a dramatic improvement in visibility for taller drivers, even when using the sun visor.

The new dash layout looks smart and reveals a host of storage shelves and cubbies. There is a wide range of infotainment systems available including the IveConnect platform, that brings together audio, Bluetooth, sat nav and a rear view camera in a single touchscreen monitor.

Perhaps the most appealing fact about the new Daily was outlined by Iveco sales and marketing director, Guiliano Giovannini, though. Despite improvements to fuel consumption, the prospect of reduced operating costs, the availability of larger body volumes and the fitment of upgraded suspension, he says that Iveco will keep prices for the new van “virtually unchanged.” That fact alone should be enough to tempt buyers into showrooms.

Verdict:

The changes to Daily are far more than skin deep, offering customers operating cost savings and improving the driving experience.