Iveco Daily 4x4 arrives without auto

IVECO has sales growth aspirations for its rugged Daily 4x4 off-roader, but the new-generation version will remain a manual-only proposition and miss out on critical safety gear in Australia, for the time being.

The talented off-roader will be offered without any airbags for now as the brand's European parent company has left the important features – both present in the on-road load-lugging Daily van and cab-chassis models – off the features list.

The absence of a self-shifter limits the vehicle's appeal to many fleet and private customers but Australia's automatic addiction would need demand from other markets before Iveco would invest in developing the eight-speed auto for the double low-range four-wheel-drive system.

Boasting an expanded range of payload and cargo volumes, the van and cab-chassis range will be joined mid-year by the 4x4 model that will bear the updated face and interior.

Iveco product marketing manager Marco Quaranta said the local demand for automatics was insufficient for a development program without other markets asking for it as well.

“The demand is very low,” he said. “This seems to be the only country where the demand is there and the volumes wouldn't justify it.”

The airbag absence, which the company acknowledged was a barrier to some fleet sales, may well be resolved by the end of this year and it could potentially more than double the vehicle’s sales.

“We in Australia have initiated the airbag. There are customers who will only accept the Daily 4x4 with an airbag. It's a large market, we have presented a business case and we are very close to getting it – we are waiting to hear but if we get it, it will be within this year,” Mr Quaranta said.

The updated model retains the same drivetrain of the current Daily 4x4, so it will continue to have front, centre and rear diff locks, and a double low-range transfer case to offer super-low crawling gears, but it adopts the exterior and, more importantly, the updated interior of the front-wheel drive van range that arrived in May last year.

The new model will also comply with Euro 6 emissions by way of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) urea NOx reduction technology for the carry over 125kW/400Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel four cylinder unit.

Offered in single and dual-cab body styles, the Daily 4x4 has also had its braking system beefed up – although the rear brakes are still drums – and it will have stability control as standard.

Able to be driven on a car licence with its 4495kg GVM, the serious off-roader is also endowed with a 3500kg braked towing capacity and can be upgraded at no cost to a GVM of 5500kg for heavy vehicle licence holders.

The single-cab 4x4 variant has had a small price increase in the region of $1500, rising to $88,000 plus accessories, trays and on-road costs, while dual-cab pricing is up a little over $700 to $94,000 plus on-roads, accessories and trays.

Iveco's Commercial and Specialised Vehicles key account manager Joel Read said the Daily 4x4 had no direct competitors.

“Customers wanting an extremely capable light-duty off-road truck need to purchase a stock product and then spend thousands of dollars equipping it with items such as aftermarket diff locks, low crawler gears and so forth,” he said.

“It’s not only an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, but then also potentially has warranty implications with the vehicle manufacturer,” he said.

The rear-drive Daily range has had a small price reduction (as much as $2000 depending on the model) and is being offered in a wider range of van cargo volumes starting from 7.3 cubic metres.

A new entry level van variant, dubbed the 35S13, retains the 93kW/320Nm 2.3-litre turbo-diesel (with the $2310 option of the 125kW/430Nm 3.0-litre) and carries a starting price of $46,147 before any options, accessories or on-road costs. Top spec in the 35S13 is an 18 cubic metre van priced from $59,569 before on road costs.

The 50C17 starts with the nine cubic metre version from $56,554, rising to the mammoth 20 cubic metre flagship at $69,330 it is powered by a 3.0-litre 125kW/430Nm single turbo-diesel engine or optional (at $2200) on selected models is the 150kW/470Nm twin-turbo diesel direct-injection 3.0-litre engine.

The features list has also been updated with the Iveconnect information system and stability control now standard the options list has been boosted with the addition of an air suspension system and diff locks that are being made available on all models.

Selected cab-chassis single- and dual-cabs are also being offered with a new shorter wheelbase on the cab-chassis model, with price cuts as high as $3200 over the pricing from launch in May last year.

The tray-top range starts with the 3000mm wheelbase 45C17 for $48,843 plus on-roads the 50C17 is priced from $53,605 and the 70C17 (with the 3450mm wheelbase) is priced from $60,345.

The vehicles are equipped with a 3.0-litre single-turbo diesel engine producing 125kW and 430Nm, or on selected models the 150kW/470Nm twin-turbo diesel direct-injection 3.0-litre engine is also on offer both claim 40,000km engine oil service intervals.

Depending on the variant and powerplant, the gearbox choice in the FWD vans remains a six-speed manual or an eight-Speed Hi-Matic full auto.

Standard safety features in the van and cab-chassis range include front and rear disc brakes with ABS, front, passenger and curtain airbags, stability control and hill holder, climate control system, a four-speaker sound system with radio, CD, USB and auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth controlled via steering-wheel mounted buttons.

Also on offer in the new Daily cab-chassis range are factory-fitted bodies under the slogan of 'Ready to work', with the 45C17 available in manual and auto guise, with four airbags, stability control and the Iveconnect telematics system among the standard fare.

The three-way tipper is a 50C17 spec in auto-only guise, with four airbags, stability control and the Iveconnect system among the standard fare.

The three-way tipper tray is unique to Iveco and specifically designed for the Daily cab-chassis. It features a factory-fitted 1.8mm thick steel body that can tip to the rear, left or right.

With an estimated payload of 1500kg, the tipper claims a 25-second full-tilt time, includes a full headboard and is operated by a remote.

The fixed rear tray is also designed specifically for the Daily and has a steel subframe, aluminium tray with marine plywood liner, is larger than before and retains the full-height headboard.

2016 Iveco pricing*

Daily Van
35S13 7.3 m&sup3	$46,147
35S13 9 m&sup3	$48,753
35S13 10.8 m&sup3	$51,359
35S13 12 m&sup3	$53,712
35S13 16 m&sup3	$56,963
35S13 18 m&sup3	$59,569
50C17 9 m&sup3	$56,554
50C17 10.8 m&sup3	$59,160
50C17 12 m&sup3	$61,514
50C17 16 m&sup3	$64,119
50C17 18 m&sup3	$66,725
50C17 20 m&sup3	$69,330
Cab Chassis
45C17 3000 mm	$48,843
50C17 3000 mm	$53,605
70C17 3450 mm	$60,345
Dual Cab Chassis
50C17 3450 mm	$67,516
70C17 3450 mm	$69,552
4x4 Cab Chassis
55S17W Single Cab	$88,000
55S17W Dual Cab	$94,000

*Excludes on-road costs. Automatic transmission available for $4285.