Iveco goes BIG!
Iveco goes BIG!
Iveco has spent €1bn updating its entire commercial vehicle range for the 2024 model year, in what it claims to be the biggest investment it has ever made. WILL SHIERS and GEORGE BARROW jetted to Barcelona for the announcement.
Luca Sra, president, truck business unit, Iveco Group, said the updated range was the culmination of a four-year journey. “Striving for change is a full-time job to which we have dedicated all our resources over the last four years. In 2019, we started a new journey, driving a profound evolution in Iveco by keeping our eyes focused on the customer and tailoring our offering to their needs, throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle and beyond,” he expanded.
“With the full range model year 2024 launch, we demonstrate our capacity to fearlessly move forward and fight in our customers’ corner, supporting their success with a 360-degree mobility ecosystem, the choice of the technology that best suits their needs across all segments, and the most extensive service offer,” Sra continued. So, what’s new then?
Economical new engine launched
It would appear that the lion’s share of the investment has gone on the S-Way and X-Way heavy trucks, with the most significant change being the introduction of the new xCursor 13 engine. Developed by Iveco’s sister brand FTP Industrial, the new engine is offered with ratings up to 580hp (2,800Nm), making it the most powerful 13-litre unit available. The engine, which can also run on gas and is even hydrogen-ready, features a new turbocharger, higher common rail pressure (2,500bar), and a new cylinder head and block. It’s lighter than its predecessor and more fuel efficient too. When matched to the latest ZF Traxon Gen2 transmission and a new faster rear axle, Iveco claims an improvement of up to 7% in fuel economy.
Advanced predictive cruise control, which now recognises bends and roundabouts and reduces speed accordingly, can contribute a further 1.5% improvement. Iveco has also taken the opportunity to go mirrorless, and claims that replacing conventional rearview mirrors with optional screen and cameras can boost overall fuel economy by a further 1.5%, for a total of up to 10% in fuel reductions.
At the S-Way’s 2019 launch, we said it appeared that the bulk of the investment had been ploughed into the cab’s exterior and that Iveco had clearly run out of cash by the time it came to updating the interior. Well, that has now been addressed: the S-Way and X-Way have
the stylish interiors they always deserved.
We’re talking about a new customisable dashboard with a selection of materials and colours and a flagship offering with a stitched leather finish. It looks and feels superb, and represents a giant leap forward in quality.
The driver is treated to a fully digital cockpit with TFT instrument cluster. There’s a new multi-function Ferrari-inspired steering wheel too, which includes a stop/start button. While there’s no flat surface on the dashboard, there’s a new pull-out table on the passenger side, as well as additional storage. A dashboard-mounted electronic handbrake with automatic engagement also helps to free up internal space.
The keen-eyed amongst you might spot some minor revisions to the truck’s exterior too, which now features a slightly altered grille. Cashing in on the growing number of drivers and operators who are customising their S-Ways, Iveco now offers a choice of eight different grilles, including body-coloured and gun metal. There are new graphics on the side window and the latest Iveco badge now takes pride of place on the front.
S-eWAY debuts
Iveco has launched a battery-powered S-Way with a 500km range. Initially released solely as a 4×2 tractor unit with the full-width AS cab, the S-eWay is the result of a former collaboration with Nikola. However, Iveco has since taken ownership of the joint venture, and you won’t find any Nikola badging on the truck.
At the heart of the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) is an FTP-designed dual-motor eAxle, which produces 480kW of continuous power. Doing away with a propshaft allows Iveco to locate the nine 82kWh batteries (738kWh total) both inside and outside the chassis rails. This packaging allows for a
4m-long wheelbase.
The truck features a single-speed transmission, which according to Neil Black, product manager for electric vehicles, was a logical choice. “We think simplicity for this first generation is the way forward,” he explained. “We have enough elasticity in our powertrain, so have fantastic startability, acceleration, and performance.”
The truck’s batteries, which each weigh 500kg, use lithium-ion chemistry. The cells and modules are sourced in Korea and the batteries are built in South Carolina. With 4.5 tonnes of batteries, overloading the drive axle is a potential problem, and Iveco says a five-axle artic will have a potential payload of no more than 22 tonnes.
Using a 350kW fast charger, the batteries can be replenished to 80% in 90 minutes, although the S-eWay is not Megawatt Charging System (MCS) prepared.
The truck has roughly 85% parts commonality with the US-built Nikola Tre. While this includes the eAxle, Nikola sources its batteries from elsewhere. The cab interiors share many similarities, including the 17-inch touchscreen display and the 12.8-inch digital cluster.
There are no plans as yet to produce a right-hand-drive S-eWay.
Investment in Eurocargo
While the Eurocargo’s exterior remains pretty much unchanged (except for a revised grille and the addition of the new badge), the truck has benefitted from some major investment. The most significant change is the introduction of the all-new Tector 7 compressed natural gas (CNG) engines, making it the only gas-powered truck in its class. The 6.7-litre engine is available in ratings of 220, 250, and 280hp. Also new is ZF’s 8-speed ZF8-HP automatic transmission, available for both gas and diesel variants. Iveco claims this can reduce fuel consumption by up to 5%.
The interior has undergone a radical transformation too, with a fully digital instrument cluster, and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enabled.
Iveco has confirmed that it has no plans to electrify the Eurocargo before the end of the decade.
eDaily gets an update
The Iveco eDaily has been updated with a new digital dash, larger battery option, and improved ePTO. Changes to the interior include a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a revised infotainment system with a 10-inch screen. Improvements have also been made to the 15-kW ePTO which now offers 50kW of power in high voltage as well as operating as a mechanical electric PTO. Iveco says the additional power will enable the ePTO to be used for a wider range of equipment, including on specialist vehicles like fire engines, snow ploughs, and refuse collection vehicles.
The eDaily will now also be available with a fourth battery option, adding to the van’s modular battery configuration. Announced at the launch, this latest battery is available now on the 7.2-tonne chassis cab variants, increasing the eDaily 72C’s battery capacity to 148kWh and range to up to 240km. in addition, chassis cabs now also get the option of a side-mounted charging port. Iveco says this will make charging more convenient for drivers.
Suite of new digital services
Iveco has introduced a suite of new digital services, which includes changes to the Iveco ON Customer Portal. Available on the Daily and Way ranges, it now incorporates remote commands, allowing fleet managers to set specific parameters remotely. Using the Driving Mode, they can now engage and lock the Eco Mode, as well as access the vehicle’s ADAS settings.
Meanwhile, the Iveco Driver Pal app, which has Amazon Web Services (AWS) technology and Alexa features, is now fully integrated. This allows drivers to access the vehicle’s infotainment system using voice commands, doing away with the need for an additional mobile device.
* This article was originally published in Commercial Motor, the UK’s best-selling road haulage magazine. A great weekly trade journal dealing with every aspect of commercial vehicle operations, Commercial Motor magazine offers comprehensive and thorough coverage of the sector. You can subscribe here.
New badge launched
It might just look like a new badge to us, but to Iveco’s senior management, it’s the “unveiling of a new brand identity which illustrates how Iveco moves forward to serve a rapidly evolving modern society, while maintaining a strong connection with its solid roots”. And in case you were wondering about the “flash of light in the blue energy colour”, that of course represents the crossroads between Iveco’s heritage and its new energy future!
Partnership with Metallica
The truck manufacturer will be supporting heavy metal band Metallica on the European leg of its M72 world tour in 2024, by supplying electric and natural gas-powered trucks and minibuses. To mark the occasion, it will also be producing S-Way and S-eWay Metallica special edition trucks, which feature matte black paintwork and a bright yellow Metallica logo.
“There could be no better time to announce a truly electrifying partnership,” said Sra. “We are very happy to go ‘down the highway’ with this amazing band and crew onboard our alternative propulsion vehicles, driven by our shared vocation for supporting sustainable communities and pushing the boundaries for a better world.”
These sentiments were shared by drummer and Metallica co-founder Lars Ulrich, who added: “Metallica’s goals align with Iveco’s plans to change the future of transportation and carbon emissions. We realised the huge potential of driving the reduction of CO2 emissions in heavy duty transport. We both share the same values of originality, innovation, driving change, being trustworthy and reliable, and also giving back.”
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