Travelling over 13,000km through the heart of Australia, the next generation Daily model is a step closer to a local launch
Iveco Australia says the new Daily 4×4 model is close to a local launch after completing its durability testing in outback New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.
According to Iveco, the new 4×4 Daily successfully travelled over 13,000km at almost full GVM across the Strzelecki and Finke Desert Race tracks, plus parts of the Gulf Country (northern Queensland) and rural New South Wales.
A three-week journey on mostly gravel roads, the Iveco team says they recorded fuel use, operating temperature, and load cycling data at regular intervals, and extracted oil samples on the road.
Analysing the test, Iveco Australia product support manager Claus Hoffman says the improvements from previous generations of Daily models is notable.
“One thing that really strikes you about the new vehicle especially in rough terrain is that the cabin is a much nicer and more comfortable place to be,” Hoffman says.
“The noise levels are significantly reduced compared to the earlier model, while dust suppression is also far superior and next to none.”
Using a new cab design, first seen in the 4×2 Daily, Hoffman says ergonomics and visibility has improved in the new generation.
“And despite the test vehicle being a darker coloured dual cab with a considerable space to cool and not having tinted windows, the air conditioning did an excellent job, even when the mercury reached almost 50°,” he says.
The new Daily model features a 3-litre Euro 6 engine thanks to SCR technology, pushing out 125kW between 3,000-3,500rpm and torque of 400Nm between 1,250-3,000rpm.
The maker says it ships with the 6-speed synchromesh, double overdrive transmission and GVM options of 4,495kg or 5,500kg.
To be available in single and dual-cab variants, Iveco says the new model includes a full-time 4×4 system with standard front, centre and rear differential locks.
The next stage of the 4×4 Daily’s local testing is examining the componentry for wear and tear.