IVECO S-Way unveiled

IVECO Australia has pulled the covers off its new S-Way range of heavy-duty trucks, with the local arm of the Italian manufacturer showcasing selected models from its new line-up before national media and its dealer network at a recent drive event at Victoria’s Australian Automotive Research Centre.

The introduction of the S-Way range, which effectively takes over from the IVECO X-Way line-up, is the culmination of two years of local engineering, testing and validation input, and marks IVECO Australia’s transition from being a local manufacturer to a full importer/distributor model.

In Australia, the new IVECO S-Way range spans rigid (6x2, 6x4, 8x4) and prime mover (6x2, 6x4) formats, with a choice of three cabs (Active Day, Active Time, Active Space) and three cab heights.

A choice of three IVECO ‘Cursor’ engines are available in 9lt, 11lt and 13lt capacities, spanning 360hp to 550hp.

In terms of wheelbases, there are four on offer for prime movers (3200mm, 3300mm, 3500mm, and 3650mm) and up to 10 for rigid models (spanning 3500mm to 6050mm), with GVMs ranging from 18,200kg to 27,600kg and GCMs for prime movers from 27,600kg to 70,000kg, with a 27,600kg GVM and 70,000kg GCM for 13-litre 6x4 and 8x4 rigid models.

At the heavy end of the market, the new IVECO S-Way range primarily targets long-haul, distribution and tipper applications, including B-Double and tipper and dog work, while the ACCO continues to service refuse and vocational applications and the T-Way (formerly Trakker) targets mining and spreading applications.

The S-Way’s driveline essentially carries over from the outgoing IVECO X-Way, with Euro 6e-compliant engines spanning the following options and outputs:

Cursor 9 (8.7lt)
360hp from 1530 to 2200rpm/1650Nm from 1200Nm to 1530rpm

Cursor 11 (11.1lt)
460hp from 1500rpm to 1900rpm/2150Nm from 925rpm to 1500rpm

Cursor 13 (12.9lt)
530hp from 1600rpm to 1900rpm/2400Nm from 950rpm to 1500rpm
550hp from 1605rpm to 1900rpm/2500Nm from 1000rpm to 1605rpm

IVECO says the Cursor 9 is suited to distribution and waste applications in a rigid-truck format, while the Cursor 11 is suitable for single-trailer prime mover work and distribution and tipper work in a rigid format. The flagship Cursor 13, then, is suited to tipper work (truck and dog) along with single-trailer and B-Double prime mover work.

The engine line-up’s Euro 6e designation sees it comply with tighter ‘Step E’ limits on engine cold-start performance and means it’s also compatible with second-generation HVO/XTL biofuels. The range utilises IVECO’s patented HI-eSCR selective catalytic reduction system featuring a diesel particulate filter.

According to IVECO Australia’s Heavy Duty Product Manager, Emiliano Foieri, this non-EGR system ultimately delivers total cost of ownership benefits. “This SCR system is a better system because it allows you to run lower temperatures into the exhaust and the components in the truck will last longer, so you have less maintenance [costs] over the life of the vehicle,” he said.

The engines are mated to either IVECO’s 12-speed or 16-speed Hi-Tronix automated manual transmissions, while further efficiency gains are delivered by a programmable anti-idling function, an ECO-FLEET mode (that maintains fully automatic operation of the transmission, while still permitting periodic manual intervention if required), and HI-CRUISE – a new topographic GPS-enabled cruise control system that optimises fuel efficiency depending on the terrain. The latter also engages an ‘eco roll’ function, allowing the vehicle to coast in neutral when conditions allow.

Finally, beyond the sharp new styling, the S-Way’s fully redesigned cab features improved aerodynamics, with new integrated wind deflectors and corner fins, and new mirror, roof, wheelarch and door designs, leading to a claimed reduction in aerodynamic drag of 13.5 per cent. This has helped the truck to achieve a fuel economy improvement of three per cent in European testing, the company says.

A major focus of the new IVECO S-Way is safety, with a long list of both active and passive safety systems included as standard. The entire range of models comes equipped with features such as autonomous emergency braking, brake assistance, lane departure warning, a hill holder, auto headlights, electronic stability control, and traction control, along with a Driver Style Evaluation plus Driver Attention Support function.

The latter prompts the driver if the system detects steering inputs that suggest a degree of drowsiness, and also issues driver advice based on the analysis of a range of data.

Meanwhile, the new S-Way cab is now even stronger, meeting ECE-R29.3 cab strength certification, while all models feature new high-output LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights and indicators, plus fog lights and a cornering light function. IVECO says the lights are more powerful while they produce a white light that more closely resembles natural light, minimising eye fatigue.

Following on from performance and safety, IVECO says the third key area of improvement in the S-Way lies with its comfort and convenience features. The cab floor has been lowered, increasing standing height and access to bunks in the larger Active Time and Active Space cabs. In fact, standing height now tops out at 2150mm in the high roof version of the Active Space cab, while overhead storage has increased by 15 per cent to a total of 250L. IVECO says that, overall, the volume of the S-Way cab has increased by 0.7 cubic metres over previous Stralis models.

New ISRI driver and passenger seats (leather or fabric) offer a greater range of adjustment. Lower seat bases provide extra room for taller drivers and steering wheel adjustment – available via a foot-operated button in the driver footwell – allows drivers to find that ‘just right’ position.

A new multifunction steering wheel gives drivers fingertip control over a wide variety of functions, while coming in either soft-touch or leather wraps and flat-bottomed or traditional formats.

Pushbutton starting is now standard across the range (a nearby port accepts the vehicle’s fob), and the new dash layout incorporates a new multimedia unit with larger 7-inch LCD high-definition display.

The new system offers Apple CarPlay functionality and smartphone mirroring, along with integrated satellite navigation, multiple USB and charging ports, voice recognition and optional rear and side camera integration. It also integrates with the new IVECO DRIVER PAL, which essentially allows drivers to access a range of functions via Amazon Alexa voice controls.

Interior lighting is an all-LED affair and the control console for the bunk on Active Space models is now positioned in the middle of the cab’s back wall, giving drivers the option to sleep in either orientation. These features can also be accessed via the MY IVECO Easy Way app.

Fridge/freezer capacity can now be as high as 100L – a 30 per cent increase – while new outer storage compartments offer capacity of up to 380L.

Active Time and Active Space cabs feature an ADR 42-compliant berth with an upper bunk, while the Active Space cab comes standard with an electric roof hatch (optional on the Active Time High Roof cab).

Finally, each IVECO S-Way comes equipped with MY IVECO telematics for efficient vehicle monitoring and maximum fleet efficiency, which becomes functional once a subscription has been activated.

As IVECO Australia’s Head of Sales, Glen Dyer, explained, the new IVECO S-Way comes backed by a comprehensive warranty framework.

“All of our vehicles are backed by an increased warranty,” he said. “So the warranty for the nine-litre engine is now three years and 500,000km, and we’ve increased the warranty on the rest of the range – the 11- and 13-litre engines to three years and 750,000km. We offer extended warranties and M&R packages, up to a million kilometres [and five years] on the extended warranty.

“We really feel that we are setting the vehicle up right for our customers and our drivers. The reliability is extremely important to us, which is why we’ve done so much extensive testing, and then there’s the comfort, the performance, and particularly the safety – everything is designed with the driver and the customer in mind.”

According to IVECO Australia’s Managing Director, Michael May, the IVECO S-Way embodies the best of both European and Australian engineering prowess and expertise.

“We’ve done thousands of hours and millions of kilometres of local validation and testing for this product to make sure it’s right for our customers here in Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

Mr May added that there is a healthy supply of S-Way stock despite on-going pandemic- and quarantine-related supply-chain issues. “We’ve got a good amount of product here on the ground, ready to go, which is fantastic,” he said. “And we’ve also got the next wave of product coming in the first half of this year.”

IVECO Australia is taking orders for the new IVECO S-Way with customers deliveries already underway. However, the official public launch of the new range will take place at the Brisbane Truck Show (May 18 to 21), where the new S-Way will take pride of place on the IVECO Australia stand.

Check back on trucksales shortly for a ‘first drive’ review of the IVECO S-Way, with a full road test to feature in the not-too-distant future.