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By
EWAN KENNEDY
30 October 2006
Iveco has been rather quiet in the Australian market in recent times, at
least in the light-commercial segment. That’s about to change as the
Italian maker is keen on making a strong push here.
Amongst other activities it plans to push its
cab-chassis models to the motorhome market. Iveco feels that many
buyers are moving up from vehicles based on one-tonne vans and
cab-chassis to larger motorhomes. And considers its Iveco Daily is
just the thing for the job.
Iveco, which is based in Turin, Italy, and is a
division of Fiat, is talking to Australian makers of aftermarket
motorhomes about its product strengths.
The Iveco cab-chassis with a motorhome body is a
common sight in Europe and experts are currently in Australia to
look at what modifications are required to suit our local market.
We have spoken to these guys and they are currently examining the
huge distances covered in hot conditions by our retired ‘grey
nomads’ as they wander around this wonderful country of ours.
As part of the plan to suit motorhome buyers,
Iveco added an automated manual transmission to its Daily range of
early in 2006.
An AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) is much
the same as a conventional manual gearbox, except that the clutch
action and gearshifts are controlled electronically through a
transmission control unit. Colloquially, these transmissions are
often called ‘robotised manuals’ because it almost feels as
though a small robot is making the gear changes for you.
The AMT lets you drive the Iveco Daily like a
conventional automatic transmission. However, it’s not quite as
smooth as a full automatic as some upshifts can be on the harsh
side, particularly in lower gears.
A big advantage of the automated manual is that
fuel economy is similar to that of a full manual gearbox because
there's no torque converter to rob the engine of some of its
grunt. Indeed, the robotised system may use less fuel than a human
gear changer if the latter is less than skilled.
There will be less wear and tear on the clutch
if an inexperienced driver is using the vehicle. An important
point if the motorhome is owned by a rental company and being used
by a variety of different drivers.
Iveco's Daily is built in Europe. Though well
established in the medium and heavy truck fields in Australia, it’s
still relatively new to the light-commercial scene, having only
competed here since 2002. Hence its desire to become a major
player in the motorhome market.
As well as being imported to Australia in
cab-chassis format the Daily also comes with a choice of van
bodies. The range has wheelbase lengths ranging from 3000mm to
4750mm. Daily vans come with three different roof heights, from
1545 mm to 2100 mm. Load capacities range from 8.3 to 17.2 cubic
metres.
The majority of Iveco Daily models have a gross
vehicle mass under the 4500 kg so can be driven by someone holding
a car licence.
There are three engine options, all common-rail
turbo-diesels, an engine type first tested by Iveco over 20 years
ago and now in common use amongst a lot of diesel engine makers,
now being used in passenger cars as well as light-commercials.
All Iveco Dailys have disc brakes on all four
wheels, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, remote central
locking and climate-control air conditioning. ABS brakes are
standard on some models and a package option with either driver or
dual front airbags on others.
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Marque Publishing Company
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