May 8, 2008
Iveco's new Eurocargo makes its official debut today. The middleweight rigid's cab has been completely revised both inside and out where there is now a new hinged front panel with room for signwriting and a revised plastic front bumper with integral head lights. Bumpers and wheelarches are also now available in the same cab colour.
There's a new line-up of lighter five, six and nine-speed manual gearboxes with servoshift, although the big news for UK operators is that all right-hand-drive Eurocargo chassis will come with the ZF Eurotronic two-pedal auto as standard, complete with a software control package developed to optimise fuel economy. An alternative Allison torque convertor-type auto is also available on models from 7.5 to 12 tonnes.
The current range of Iveco's own four- and six-cylinder Tector engines is carried over to the new Eurocargo. All meet the Euro-5 emission levels, due from October 2009, thanks to Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).
Inside the revised Eurocargo cabin there's a revamped instrument panel, while the most frequently used controls - including the park brake - have been relocated closer to the driver. A larger steering wheel further reduces steering effort. There is increased storage space too and an uprated seat to further improve the Iveco's driver appeal.
On-road safety options include ASR, ESP and a Hill Hold function. A seat-belt warning system encourages the wearing of seat-belts and a warning alarm sounds if the driver's door is opened without first applying the park brake. Revisions to the braking system include larger-diameter, and thicker, brake discs and larger brake pads giving increased brake performance and reduced servicing costs.
Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor
