Noul Iveco Daily

Iveco's Daily has always had an enviable reputation as a strong, big-hearted workhorse, but with a certain lack of finesse when it came to the styling, cab comfort and driver ergonomics.

A series of revisions over the last couple of years have attempted to address the shortcomings, and with a certain amount of success. With the release of the latest generation Daily, however, Iveco has really raised its game and taken its light commercial offerings to a whole new level.

Daily now has all-new modern exterior styling, a completely reworked cab interior with revised seating and more storage space, and a range of common rail Euro 4 diesel engines any manufacturer would be proud to have in its line-up.

Engines

Iveco is the the world's largest manufacturer of diesel engines over 70 bhp, so it will come as no surprise that the new Daily engine line-up provides a wide spectrum of alternatives.

The 2.3-litre HPI (High Performance Injection) and 3.0-litre HPT (High Performance Turbo) were originally introduced in 2003 and 2005 respectively. Only minor changes were necessary to bring them up to Euro 4 standards with EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) only needed on 3.5 to 5.0 tonne models.

All versions of the engines are Diesel Particulate Filter ready to further reduce emissions when necessary.

The mainstay of the engine line-up remains the 2.3-litre and, as before, it's available in three power outputs; 96, 116 and 136 bhp. They are specified as .10, .12 and .14, and are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Peak torque outputs are 177 lb/ft, 199 lb/ft and 236 lb/ft respectively.

The most powerful of the three has gained a variable geometry turbocharger, along with an HPT designation; the other two remain as HPIs with a fixed geometry turbo.

At the top of the power stakes you'll find the two 3-litre units, rated at 146 bhp (.15 HPI) and 176 bhp (.18 HPT). A six-speed manual gearbox is standard with these engines.

The former is capable of developing peak torque of 258 lb/ft (1,400-2,600rpm) while the latter boasts 295 lb/ft, which is available from an astonishing flexible 1,250rpm up to 3,000rpm.

In order to reduce downtime, service intervals are set at 25,000 miles and the 2.3-litre units use a toothed timing belt which requires changing every 150,000 miles (or five years) while the 3.0-litres employ a 'for life' chain which has been tested up to 218,000 miles.

A six-speed automated manual AGile gearbox from the previous generation Daily is available as an option.

Suspension & Brakes

The rear-wheel drive Daily's front suspension is now fully independent with double wishbones while the rear remains a solid live axle with transverse leaf springs.

Slightly larger disc brakes are used front (ventilated) and rear and as before ABS (including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution [EBD]) is fitted as standard in the UK. EBD basically prevents individual wheels from locking under heavy braking.

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is available as an option (£260) and is the same eighth generation Bosch system as found on the Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter and Ford Transit as standard. It takes the load being carried as part of its operating parameters and is designed to keep the van under control in extreme lane-changing avoidance manoeuvres.

A Hill Holder function is an integral part of ESP8 and is designed to operate in first gear to make hill starts easier.

Anti-Slip Regulation (ASP) forms another part of the ESP8 package and ensures that optimal traction is maintained at any speed by utilising the ABS and reducing the torque supplied to the rear driving wheels, depending on the circumstances.

Load Area



Load box structure has been enhanced to improve internal noise transmission and increase structural rigidity. The twin rear door latch mechanism has received attention to make it easier to close and the standard nearside sliding door is now suspended from the top rail, rather than being supported from the bottom one. This is designed to make it easier to open and close, and less likely to snag thanks to detritus build-up in the bottom gully.

There's an impressive array of Daily panel vans up for grabs with wheelbases ranging from 3,000mm to 3,950mm, load lengths from 2,600mm to 4,560mm and load heights from 1,545mm up to 2,100mm.

Load volumes start at 7.3m3 and top out at an impressive and truly cavernous 17.2m3. Gross vehicle weights in the UK go from 3.2 to 6.5 tonne with 1,060kg being the lowest payload available and going all the way up to an impressive 3,640kg. There really is a panel van in the range suitable for just about every application.

New Cab



Iveco doesn't have a particularly esteemed history when it comes to the Daily's cab. With the latest generation, however, this has changed. The angled truck-style dashboard from the outgoing model has been replaced with a far more aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically sound affair.

The dash-mounted gearstick is the only carry-over and the quality of the plastics used and the structural stiffness of the facia have been significantly improved.

A great deal of thought has also gone into the provision of storage space for the plethora of necessary odds and ends carted about by drivers these days. There's even a centrally mounted drop-down lidded compartment for A4 hanging files or clipboards.

The seating is all-new and designed to provide better support for those spending a great deal of time behind the driving wheel or occupying the passenger seats.

Newly introduced optional extras include satellite navigation and an integrated Bluetooth hands-free phone system which mutes the volume of the stereo when incoming calls are received or outgoing calls made.

Other safety-related options include audible rear parking sensors and even a camera system built into the high-mounted rear third brake light.

On the Road

Our demonstrator for the UK launch was a 35S12 with a 3,300mm wheelbase high roof panel van with a load volume of 12.0m3 and carrying a one tonne payload.

Despite driving a selection of different Dailys on the European launch a few months ago we remain very impressed with the new cab environment.

The facia is much less idiosyncratic and all the better for it, and the build quality is vastly superior to anything that has come before from Iveco. All the controls are where they should be and the gearchange requires just a short movement of the left hand to operate. The change quality is light and well defined.

Plenty of feedback is provided through the power steering and the brakes are excellent, providing progressive and positive stopping power. And the ABS doesn't kick in too early.

A perfect driving position is easy to achieve thanks to the multi-adjustable seat and Iveco has done a good job in providing additional lateral and mid-back support.

The driving route was a mixture of the Coventry by-pass, Cotswold A/B roads and the M40 and this mid-range Daily handled itself well. Being a bit old-school we generally prefer rear- to front-wheel drive for a van of this size and the Daily didn't let us down. It handled everything thrown at it with aplomb while at the same time providing a ride quality well up to par.

Despite not having one of the more powerful engine options under the bonnet it performed well, mainly thanks to its 199 lb/ft of peak torque being available over a good spread of revs. Good progress was made in a relaxed fashion and we didn't feel the need for a sixth gear, even on the motorway.

Rearward visibility was good thanks to large twin-lens door mirrors which seemed to eliminate just about all of the inevitable blind spot.

Refinement levels were also good, helped to a great extent no doubt by the full steel bulkhead fitted. Nonetheless, in-cab engine noise was also well controlled which is a sure sign that attention has been paid to isolating the engine bay from the cab.

On sale since 1978 and with some two million sales worldwide, Daily is available as a panel van, semi-window van, chassis cab, chassis crew (double) cab and minibus, and can be had in something like 2,500 different configurations. “There is no doubt that with the new Daily, Iveco benefits from one of the widest and most state-of-the-art light commercial vehicle ranges available,” says Chris Thorneycroft-Smith, managing director of Iveco Ltd.

“Our market share in this important sector has continued to rise steadily in recent years and there is no doubt that with the new Daily we have the perfect vehicle to drive our business forward, targeting both fleet and retail sales,” he adds.

Off-Topic : Am fost acolo ( lansarea noului Iveco Td ) si am condus la drive-test noul model
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Am 3 Iveco-uri ( a se vedea Galerie Foto cu Iveco si daca tot am dat si eu prin Bucuresti mi-am mai cumparat inca unu (din astea noi) cu motor de 3000 si 176 cp. Imediat ce iasa de la carosat (tot autoplatforma auto il fac ) o sa postez cateva poze cu el.
On-Topic : Modelul asta nou e mai smecher : are semnalizatoarele incluse in oglinda.De acuma musai sa am grija sa nu-mi agat oglinda prin vami. In plus scaunele is mai confortabile decat la celelalte ( ergonomice )