Iveco Stralis AS-L Review

Name: Iveco Stralis AS-L Review
Brand: Iveco

Iveco says that it wants more regional and longhaul operators to try its Stralis prime mover, especially in the AS-L configuration that we have just driven

The Iveco Stralis brochure says 'Comfort' before any of the usual adjectives common to truck blurbs, and the way Iveco has specced the Series II Stralis, we think the term is a good fit.

The test truck is currently being used by Red Bull Racing, towing race car transporters around the country. Iveco borrowed it back and stuck one of Freighter’s new EziLiner curtainsider trailers on the back for a run around Gippsland.

The rig grossed around 40-tonnes, well within the capability of the 500hp Cursor 13-litre engine, and the truck’s 90-tonne GCM. The Cursor is available with a 560hp rating, but both power ratings share the same torque of 2300Nm between 1000 and 1700rpm. I’d opt for the 560 version though if I knew the truck would be doing even occasional B-double work.

Getting on board a Stralis is made easy with three large steps in front of the wheel. With the steering wheel tilted up out of the way (tread firmly on the foot-button just behind the steering column), the entry/exit for the Stralis is wide and easy.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Once behind the wheel, there is an overall impression of a big car, with similar padded trim and the least number of dials and gauges in a truck.

On the dash there’s just a speedo and a tacho, plus smaller fuel and engine temp gauges. A rectangular screen delivers any other information, including when the truck’s data suite detects a problem.

Driving controls couldn’t be easier. A lever-action park brake, then three buttons for the ZF transmission – D, N and R. Pressing either D or N and holding for two seconds drops the ratios back to crawl mode.

The seat has a bewildering array of adjustment and includes a massage function that can be directed wherever it feels best.

The door control panel deserves a special mention. Apart from the window switches, a selector button sparks a display on the info screen that highlights the mirror that is being adjusted. The switch rotates through all four mirrors and activates the rotary selector for adjustment. Very easy and precise. Next to that button is a mirror heat switch.

The steering wheel has buttons for menu, phone, sound system volume and menu navigation.

On the right of the steering column is a lever for cruise control, and two-stage auxiliary brake. The cruise control lever only engages the system. Tweaking the set speed is done by using a rocker switch at the end of the stalk that is easily reached while keeping both hands on the wheel.

Also on the right, but off the column are the diff lock controls, cab tilt, ASR engage switch and speed limiter. To the left are light switches for the back of the cab, driving and fog lights and the main beam rotary switch is underneath those. Interior lights are alongside the gear selection buttons.

On the main console, which is heavily skewed towards the driver, are support functions such as hazard lights, windscreen shade/blind, air suspension height adjustment and the roof-hatch control – not operative on this truck as a Viesa cooler unit occupies the hole in the roof.

On the other side of the centrally located radio is the interior dome light control, switchable between bright and red, plus the air horn activator.

Beneath that array are very large air vents which deliver Aussie-volume blasts of cold air on max aircon, then drink and bits-n-pieces trays, with ashtray and 12v power supply below that. Surprisingly, there’s no USB port, either for the sound system or for charging devices. Iveco needs to fix that quickly.

Finally, the climate control air system is at the bottom of this stack. The whole section is topped off with a large tray with a non-slip surface which is perfect for phones and even ipads.

GETTING COMFY

The AS-L cab height is plenty for a stand-up walk around – great for a stretch when you’re parked up and the weather’s foul. There are two bunks, and the top unit has its own light controls.

The main bunk has a control panel on the right-hand side of the cab that allows you to work the main dome light, power windows, roof hatch, door locks, radio, CD player and windscreen blind without getting out from under the doona. It also has a clock and alarm function. A bright map light is also on a stalk and is plenty for reading.

The left side of the bunk has a fold-down shelf that would be perfect for a laptop or small TV, plus a handy 12v power outlet. No USB here either!

The curtains for the side windows and those separating the bunk area from the driving seats are thick and heavy, so much so that if you’re on your own you’d never need to draw the bunk curtains. The windscreen blind and side curtains would keep all the glare out and dampen down noise from the parking area.

Under the bunks are a larger-than-esky size storage compartment, plus a separate slide out fridge box big enough to store lunch for an All-Black prop, plus a couple of drinks. Overhead storage is cavernous, and each section has its own hinged lid for security.

OUTSIDE

On the outside, the left side of the chassis carries two fuel tanks, separated by the exhaust box, which has the quad battery pack sitting on top. The exhaust outlet is aimed at the road between the chassis rails.

On the right side are two fuel tanks plus a 100-litre AdBlue reservoir. The chassis lengths have been set to allow a 36-pallet B-double.

ONE THE ROAD

The Stralis cab doesn’t appear to be as aerodynamic as some of its Euro competition. However on the road there is almost no wind noise, and with a super-quiet engine the only thing to disturb the peace is tyre whine. The test truck even had an external sun visor and insect screen, neither of which whistled and rattled as they often do.

It took me a while to get used to the new 16-speed ZF transmission. There’s a strong indent at about three-quarter throttle, and if I kept it there the truck kept the changes in the green zone between 1000 and 1500rpm, skipping shifts where possible. But if I pushed through the indent it skipped even more gears while running the revs out to between 1000 and 2100rpm.

The auxiliary brake is a two-stage unit operated from the steering column and complements the all-round disc brakes and Wabco E four-channel ABS with EBL and ASR. It drops gears when it reads heavier braking is required.

Cruising in the Stralis is something Iveco dealers really need to get potential customers to do. Using the left armrest on the driver’s seat and resting my right arm on the wide door sill, I could have driven for many more than the legal hours.

Stralis has excellent vision and with the electric full width sunvisor and individual side window blinds the early morning or late afternoon sun will never be a problem.

Iveco is backing the Stralis with a two-year, 500,000km/6000 hours warranty, with 100 per cent parts and labour covered.

Iveco Stralis AS-L Specifications:

Engine: Cursor Series II 13-litre six-cylinder diesel

Power:500hp

Torque: 2300Nm 1000 to 1700rpm

Emissions: Euro V

Transmission: Iveco Eurotronic II 16-speed AMT

Configuration: 6x4

Tare: 8600kgs

GVM: 25,100kgs

GCM: 90,000kgs

Wheelbase: 4050mm