Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch

There was a flurry of activity in the panel van market leading up to October 2011 as the deadline for Euro 5 compliance approached. Despite having been well ahead of the game with regard to the new emissions regulations for several years Iveco took the opportunity to not only introduce new, latest generation Fiat Powertrain diesels, it also rolled out a series of detail changes to its rear-wheel drive range of Daily panel vans, chassis cabs, chassis crew cabs and minibuses.

Most noticeable is the reworked front-end featuring a solid full-width silver/grey strip bearing a large Iveco logo emblazoned across the leading edge of the bonnet, re- designed grilles to accommodate the uprated engine cooling system and new segmented bumper arrangement. Daytime running lights are fitted as standard and there’s also the option of cornering lamps which move in line with steering inputs.

Three New Diesel Engines

As previously the engine line-up provides a choice of fuel-efficiency optimised 2.3- and 3.0-litre diesels, but three new versions have been added to the roster. Capable of producing 205hp, top of the tree is the most powerful four-cylinder diesel ever in this market sector — the .21 in Iveco-speak.

The two-stage twin turbo 3.0-litre develops 470Nm (making its presence felt at a very low 1,400rpm) and features inter-stage charge cooling as well as conventional post turbocharging intercooling for maximum efficiency.

Also new is a 370Nm (1,400rpm), 146hp 3.0-litre .15 with a single variable geometry turbo and homologated to EEV (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle) Heavy Duty standards as far as emissions are concerned. Moving down to 2.3-litres there’s another .15 — this time with a variable turbo — Euro 5 addition in the shape of the 146hp, 350Nm (1,500rpm) diesel. The end result is a very comprehensive spread of engines that cover just about any application:

Euro 5 Light Duty
2.3-litre
.11 (106hp/270Nm), .13 (126hp/320Nm),
.15 (146hp/350Nm)

3.0-litre
.15 (146hp/350Nm), .17 (170hp/400Nm),
.21 (205hp/470Nm)

EEV Heavy Duty
3.0-litre
.15 (146hp/370Nm), .17 (170hp/400Nm),

A range of new of six-speed manual gearboxes, each optimised to cope with differing levels of torque, comes as standard in combination with all powerplants and there’s the option of the automated manual Agile six-speeder on everything bar the 3.0-litre .21.

These new ’boxes can optionally be mated to a Stop & Start system in conjunction with 2.3-litre diesels, complete with a Gear Shift Indicator in the re-designed instrument binnacle to aid driver efficiency. In use this can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent during an urban duty cycle.

Alternative Fuels

As well as its line-up of diesel-powered Dailys, Iveco also currently offers two, what it refers to as, Alternative Traction Systems. We’re talking compressed natural gas and battery power here. The former uses a converted 3.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and as well as CNG can also run on bio-methane. Iveco UK has done a deal with Gasrec which recovers the fuel from landfill sites and can provide suitable on-site storage and refuelling infrastructures.

Daily Electric is a specialised and expensive bit of kit with prices starting at just short of £70,000. Using either two, three or four Na/NiCl2 (sodium/nickel-chloride) battery packs in combination with an electronic inverter, they power an asynchronous three-phase electric motor that also recovers the vehicle’s kinetic energy under braking and deceleration. Power is rated at 30kW continuous (60kW peak) for 35S models and 40kW (80kW peak) for 50C variants. Speed is electronically limited to 45mph with a usable range of between 55 and 80 miles.

There’s also a highly specialised Daily 4x4 available. Permanent four-wheel drive, low range and large all-terrain tyres and high ground clearance, it is virtually unstoppable in any terrain. The six-speed manual gearbox is coupled to a central transfer ’box which houses two selectable reduction gears to provide a total of 24 forward and four reverse gears.

As far as safety is concerned Iveco continues to offer ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as a standard fitment across the entire Daily range. Uprated to the generation 9 Bosch system for the latest models, it brings with it Trailer Sway Mitigation, Hydraulic Rear Wheel Boost and Hydraulic Brake Fade Control on top of the extensive list of active safety features from the previous system.

Cab Comfort

Daily’s cab has been updated with a redesigned dash incorporating a new gearstick housing to provide the centre seat passenger with more legroom and improve cross-cab access. Not before time the steering column is now adjustable for reach and seat back adjustment has been increased.

Storage space has also been improved with a double bottle-holder for the doors and a neat optional folding middle seat back rest. Drop this down and it provides a pull-out tray/clipboard with a storage area beneath, big enough to accommodate a Netbook or iPad. The tray can be removed and attached to the steering wheel as a temporary working surface.

Added to the options list are various telematics packages including Blue&Me Bluetooth phone connectivity. There is also the accompanying Blue&Me Fleet fleet management package, as well as a built-in TomTom Go Live 1000 navigation system with a 4.7in colour touch screen.

On the Road

Put simply, the new 205hp, 470Nm 3.0-litre .21 diesel is stunning. In combination with the new gearbox it never seems strained and the amount of low-down torque available is staggering. Gearchange quality has been improved although it remains a bit too long-throw; the latest Ford Transit is the benchmark in this area.

What really impresses, however, is the reduction of in-cab noise levels. Iveco has obviously spent a great deal of time isolating the noise emanating from the engine bay, and it’s been time well spent. Anyone familiar with the previous generation Daily will be astounded by the improvement.

Noise reduction isn’t just restricted to the most powerful engine. We also took a 126hp, 320Nm 2.3-litre 3.5-tonner for a run during the test session just outside Turin, Iveco’s home town, and it was just as impressive in terms of both noise levels and torque delivery.

Daily’s handling and ride are well up to par and it’s now much easier to find a comfortable driving position thanks to the steering wheel reach adjustment. Something not mentioned in the accompanying press release are the subtle changes made to the door mirrors.

The bottom wide-angle convex ‘blindspot’ section has been made almost the same size as the conventional top mirror, a move we approve of heartily. The combination of the two large mirror sections provides an exceptionally good view down the flanks of the vehicle and it’s an approach other manufacturers should consider adopting.

The Daily remains one of the most comprehensive ranges in the market and can suffer from being a tad confusing. As Iveco dealers generally sell trucks alongside light commercials, however, they are well versed in operator requirements and more than willing to offer expert advice on model suitability.

Gross vehicle weights go from 3.2 to 7.0 tonnes with permissible front axle loads of 1,500 – 2,500kg and from 1,900 to 5,350kg at the rear. There are three wheelbases, four body lengths and three roof heights, giving van models load volumes of between 7.0 and 17.2m³. Payloads peak at 4,700kg while towing ability maxes-out at 3,500kg.

Daily’s truck-like chassis makes it an ideal platform for bodybuilder conversion. There are seven wheelbases and chassis lengths from 3,000 to 6,200mm on offer. Iveco’s sister company Irisbus can provide a whole range of minibuses.

Verdict
To say that we are impressed by this latest generation Daily is an understatement. The sometimes dubious build quality is a thing of the past, the new fuel-efficient diesels are superb and the reduction of in-cab noise levels is a revelation. Daily is up there with the best and the icing on the cake is those re-designed door mirrors.