Iveco’s updated Daily offers reduced total cost of ownership and increased connectivity, says Dan Gilkes.
Sector Large van Power 116-210hp Load volume 7.3-19.6m3 Drive Diesel, CNG, Electric
Iveco aims to offer an improved driving and ownership experience for latest Daily customers. The popular 2.3-litre engines now come with 116hp, 136hp and 156hp ratings in Euro 6d light duty form, or with 136hp and 156hp under Euro VI-D heavy cycle emissions standards. The engines feature a new e-VGT turbocharger, for faster response and improved torque at low engine speeds. Start & Stop is standard and all Daily models now come with electric power steering and low rolling resistance Michelin Agilis tyres, contributing to a 10% fuel economy improvement. The engines can also be equipped with a 28% larger oil sump, allowing oil change intervals to be stretched to 37,000 miles or two years.
The 3.0-litre engine is now offered with 160hp, 180hp or 210hp, all tested under Euro VI-D. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is used on all of the diesel engines and all power ratings can be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or the Hi-Matic eight-speed automatic, which now accounts for 60-70% of UK orders. The 3.0-litre engines come with 31,000-mile service intervals, which is 25% longer than the previous generation.
The 3.0-litre engine can also be supplied to run on CNG, offering 136hp and 350Nm of torque. Iveco reports steadily growing interest in CNG, though mainly from heavier truck customers. Improving infrastructure may see further expansion in the coming months. Though the Daily Electric is still for sale, it has yet to make much impact on the UK market. But, Iveco is working on a new-generation electric van, which should be available by mid-2020.
The move to an electric power steering system brings the availability of a host of driver assistance and safety systems. This includes Advanced Emergency Braking with City Brake Pro, Adaptive Cruise Control, Proactive Lane Keeping Assist and Queue Assist. At present most of these systems are available as separate options, or within grouped option packs, as Daily comes in a single trim. However, the company is working on the development of various trim and specification levels, for introduction early in 2020.
The electric steering also has a city setting, reducing steering effort at lower speed by up to 70%. The Daily’s revised cab, which features a new multi-function steering wheel, automatic parking brake and high-resolution dash display, is now offered with a Hi-Connect infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen. This provides access to a range of services, through an on-board connectivity box that will initially be offered as standard equipment.
The Smart pack, which is included free to UK customers with the connection box, offers access to remote diagnostics, over-the-air services and proactive service from Iveco’s Turin-based control room. It also allows customers to access the MyDaily web portal and smartphone app, for service booking and smart reports on vehicle condition and driving style.
The Fleet pack adds fleet management software, through partner Verizon. However, for those companies already operating their own fleet management software, Iveco can supply all of the data for integration with external systems.
The Elements pack brings together all of the Fleet pack components and combines them with a repair and maintenance contract, allowing Iveco’s dealers to access the information to better plan preventative maintenance.
The Verdict
Iveco’s Daily remains the van of choice for many heavy-duty users, who will now benefit from lower operating costs, reduced fuel use and improved connectivity.
Fleet World rating: 4/5
