Italian flair for design and functionality is clearly evident via the good looks and excellent aerodynamic features which characterise the new Stralis.
Iveco South Africa has added a powerful new weapon to its increasingly impressive arsenal of all-round truck offerings with the introduction of the new Stralis writes Patrick O'Leary.

Iveco seems to be living in the 'Wow' zone what with its impressive market gains, a new flagshup dealership on the Ben Schoeman highway and now a new product offering fresh from its 2007 launch pad in Europe.

It's been an exciting few years for this company as we have seen it come from a low key presence into a force which is increasingly being reckoned with as one of the country's major players. The launch of the new Stralis perhaps acts then as a culmination of effort designed around taking Iveco into a bright future in the region.

The range on offer consists of the following driving configurations:

• Traditional 4x2 truck tractors and rigids;

• 6x2 rigids with lifting third axle, single or twin wheels; 

• 6x4 truck tractors and rigids.

The Cursor engine is the heart of the Stralis. With 8, 10 and 13 litres capacity, the engines range from 350 to 480 HP and maximum torque from 1,300 to 2,500 Nm. The Cursor, by the way, is an engine family which has already proved its itself in terms of performance, consumption and reliability with the following characteristics: 

• Single unit injectors with injection pressure up to 1500 bars.

• Overhead camshaft.

• 4 valves per cylinder.

• Under-basement and single cylinder head to ensure higher rigidity.

• Decompression engine brake.

• Time and fuel quantity electronic control for each cylinder.

• A variable geometry turbine for a prompt response in any rpm conditions.

• Cursor power in terms of torque is constantly available, reaching the maximum value below one thousand revolutions and keeping it over the entire range.

The two models fitted with the 430 and 480 HP Cursor motors on display for the local launch didn't really serve to impart the true nature or potential positive impact of these new beasts which, since the launch in Europe last year, have seen 15 000 customers world-wide taking the new Stralis into their fleets.

Sales figures for Europe, East Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Far East for Iveco heavy-duty vehicles show a 20% increase for the period January to June 2007 compared to the same period in 2006. This rise is almost fully attributable to the New Stralis.

FleetWatch first saw the Stralis in Turin at its world-launch almost 10 years ago. Since then, continuous development driven by research and engineering has led to the sophisticated and vastly improved product we are now seeing on our market.

The European versions of Stralis - compliant with and even exceeding emission levels of Euro 4 and 5 - have been adapted to the conditions of the African market and come in as Euro 3 compliant.

A much chuffed Ed Chvatal, managing director of Iveco South Africa, is understandably excited about the new offering. "I'm convinced that Iveco can now serve the transport needs of each and every customer. This is going to be one of our great success stories."

Also pumped up is Markus Hoffmann, sales and marketing director for the company, up who enthuses that "you have not experienced anything like this. It is such a pleasure to stand in one of these spacious cabs. Not only is it technically brilliant and comfortable for the driver but it is also good looking!"
 

Ed Chvatal, MD of Iveco South Africa: "This is going to be one of our great success stories."

Italian flair
And that it is. Designed and developed by the Iveco Style Centre, the main accent was on the comfort and well-being of the driver and passenger. However, the Italian flair for good looks in design is obvious and this comes through particularly strongly in the looks of the Active Space Cab, the top of the three-range cab offering. 

Apart from imparting good looks, the cab external lines were also designed for an ideal aerodynamic efficiency where, despite the higher roofs that increased the inner cab space by nearly 1,8 cubic meters, the CX-value has improved by 2%. 

The other two cabs are called the Stralis Active Day Cab and Stralis Active Time Cab. The first is equipped with a low roof short cabin suitable for medium-range operations as well as for city and suburban trips which do not require overnight stays. The second is used for medium and long distances with low or high roof long cabin options.

Space and comfort
Part of the designers brief - gained from dealer and customer suggestions and advice - was to enhance the driver's experience of life on-board. More overall space inside, a bigger bed size, better internal lighting, more space to store objects and personal belongings (+15%) are all the result of this team work.

On every cab model, the driver can find the ideal driving position, thanks to the new air seats with four comfort levels (travel increased by 40 mm compared to the previous model, for a total of 220 mm) and the driving wheel adjustment system
.
Decompression engine brake, hydraulic retarder, radio, cruise control can all be operated without taking the hands off the steering wheel. The sophisticated EuroTronic gearbox selector is also built into the steering wheel.

On the super space cab, the following improvements have been made:

• New fabrics, cotton and microfiber.

• The multifunction instrument panel with colour display, which supplies the information on the vehicle system operation, has easier to read graphics.

• The new lit up pointers improve the four round indicator reading.

• The folding table surface is now 30% larger compared to the previous version.

• Equipped with a better climate control system, the cab has also been improved in the quality of the beds which have been enlarged (746x2020mm for the lower bed and 784x1940 for the upper one).

• The folding systems of the upper bed (with air springs) enable its quick and easy opening. The bed can be accessed via an integrated aluminium ladder.

The lower bed now has three possible layouts.

• Bed consisting of three modules, with table built in the central module, for a homelike cosy environment

• Three lower bunk modules with optional built in passenger's seat provide for a significant comfort improvement.

• Bed consisting of one single module, to obtain maximum comfort at night, and a sliding container (capacity 100 litres) next to the fridge.

The new top crossbar above the windscreen includes several compartments with lids which can be easily opened/closed by means of gas springs; large space is available also below the bottom berth and on both cabin sides. The interior lighting is now also more powerful with new roof lamps.
 

Cost of ownership
Stralis was designed to offer a low ownership cost to the customer via features which would reduce two of the main vehicle cost items - maintenance and fuel consumption, the latter vitally important given the high cost of diesel. As to the reduction of maintenance costs, Stralis ensures:

Decrease of downtime with prolonged oil change intervals.

• Significant reduction of brake system wear thanks to the Iveco engine brake discs on all wheels and support by electronic features such as ABS, ASR and EDL.

• High clutch life due to the engine flexibility and the efficiency of the Eurotronic automated gearboxes, regardless of the driver's ability.

• The automatic gearbox logic applies the principles of economic driving which means selecting the ideal gear ratio, protecting the gearbox and engine against over-revving and safeguarding the clutch life.

• Accurate on-board electronic diagnosis.

Diesel consumption has been optimised through:

• Combustion optimization via the new generation EDC (Electronic Diesel Control) with time and fuel quantity managed for each cylinder;

• New style piston rings for better and reduced oil consumption

Braking system
Safety also means a technologically advanced braking system. Depending of the model configuration, the braking system features are: 

• Disc brakes on front and rear axles on all Stralis models

• APU (Air Processing Unit)

• EBL (Electronic Brake force Limitation), ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and ASR (Anti Slip Reduction.

• All models have second generation ZF intarders fitted as standard.

The full Stralis range is equipped with an electronic stability program - ESP.
 

Depending on the type of cab and vehicle application, cabs are either air or spring suspended - both of which enhance ride comfort thereby improving driver productivty. It all adds up.

The new style integrates the bumper in the cowling lines incorporating the headlight clusters in one single area which facilitates accessibility for maintenance. It's nice to see wet weather spray suppression equipment fitted to the new models. It's hell driving behind some of our trucks in the rain.

Sensible thing to do
Readers will have noticed I have given quite a bit of accent to the cab comfort features. It is so encouraging to see the driver being given so much consideration by manufacturers like Iveco in terms of his 'office' and living space. Not only is this a sensible thing to do in terms of driver motivation, but it is also sensible in terms of operational efficiencies.

According to the American Trucking Associations' research, the difference between good and bad driving can make as much as a 35% difference in fuel consumption. A motivated driver in a comfortable 'office' will be far more prone to 'good' driving habits than one who sits in a shabby spartan-type 'office' - and having motivated drivers is particularly important given the rocketing price of diesel.

What I'm saying here is that the cab design and appointments such as are offered on the Stralis have many side benefits that will result not only in happy drivers but also in operational benefits that will translate directly to an improved bottom line. They will also serve to attract and retain drivers in today's driver-scarce environment. Iveco has given the market a good one here.