Iveco Powerstar 7800 ready for duty

Local production has begun of Iveco Trucks Australia's new range-topping heavy-haulage specialist, the Iveco Powerstar 7800

Production of Iveco's new Powerstar 7800 is now in full swing, with the firm's road train specialist now available to order.

The heavy-duty prime mover is spearheading Iveco's truck range in Australia, with the new model capable of handling GCMs of up to 140 tonnes.

Iveco Trucks Australia says the new model – which is built at the firm's manufacturing plant in Dandenong in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs – has been optimised for local Australian conditions, with prototypes racking up big distances here since they first appeared in 2012.

The Iveco Powerstar 7800 is powered by a 15-litre, 600hp Cummins ISX or Signature engine mated to an Eaton 18-speed Roadranger transmission. Iveco says the engine produces up to 2050ft-lb of torque (2780Nm) and uses Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) technology to meet local ADR 80/03 emissions standards, while the engine is cooled by a class-leading 12.5-litre radiator/cooling package.

The driveline has been fitted to a steel chassis designed and built at Iveco's Dandenong plant, while the cab is said to deliver "increased visibility along with high levels of comfort and superior ergonomics". The sleeper cab features an inner-spring mattress, while factory options include a fridge, flat-screen television with DVD, and an Isringhausen 'Big Boy' air suspension driver's seat.

Product Planning Manager at Iveco Trucks Australia, Marco Quaranta, says the firm is very proud of the Powerstar 7800.

"Our product engineers have worked incredibly hard to develop a unique product that blends an American driveline and European comfort into an Australian truck," he said.

The first Iveco Powerstar 7800 appeared on the Australian scene a little under two years ago and was immediately trialled by Toowoomba freight specialist, Robertson's Transport. According to the firm's Managing Director, Greg Robertson, the Iveco has well and truly proven itself over the months since.

"We received the 7800 from Iveco in October 2012 to evaluate in our fleet of 18 road trains," he says.

"It has travelled around 250,000km since then on all types of road and back-tracks throughout Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, pulling B-doubles and two- or three-trailer road trains grossing up to 130 tonnes.

"I think Iveco has developed a prime mover that is world class."

Iveco Powerstar 7800 ready for duty

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