Capital Equipment News March 2018

with the previous range,” explains Elvis Mutseura, product marketing manager at Iveco South Africa. “This means that from a legal payload capacity point of view, we have significantly increased the payloads simply by optimising the wheelbases.” For example, with an 8,5 m tautliner body, the larger ML 180 E28 4x2 model, with its 18 t GVM and a 6 210 mm wheelbase, can legally carry a payload of 8,5 t. The ML 160 E24 4x2 model, which was on display at bauma CONEXPO AFRICA, with its 16 t GVM and a 5 670 mm wheelbase, was carrying a 17 t Palfinger crane, with a 6,5 m body behind the cab, but it could still carry a 6,5 t payload. With a 6 m³ tipper body, the ML 180 E24 tipper can legally carry a payload of 7,5 t. “Increased payload is one of the most effective ways of improving freight efficiency. It allows trucks to carry more freight and reduce the number of trips, and ultimately the cost of running the truck through less fuel consumption and maintenance costs,” says Mutseura. There are various transmission options available for the new range, including manual, automated transmission (AMT) and full automatic. However, the full automatic transmission choice is only available for the ML 180 E28 freight carrier, while the rest are available in either manual or AMT. special attention to driver comfort, one of the key design focus areas for Iveco when it comes to its commercial vehicle ranges. “Iveco always has a special focus on the driver. Driver comfort has always been one of the OEM’s main engineering topics in its commercial vehicles,” explains Mutseura. There are eight cab derivatives, including a day cab and sleeper cab available with two roof heights to accommodate either one or two bunks, as well as a seven-seat crew cab (six, plus driver) catering for the municipal/fire sector. Inside, the brand new electro-welded fabric design seats have been upgraded and there is a new air-suspended driver’s seat, available with a fully adjustable backrest, height-adjustable seat belt and air conditioning. “There are also plenty of compartments and pockets for storing objects and documents. The central console has two 0,5-litre bottle holders, a 12 V plug and a compressed air line, in addition to special Driver comfort The new Eurocargo range also pays

QUICK TAKE

Iveco’s Eurocargo range was showcased at a public event for the first time in South Africa at bauma CONEXPO AFRICA

The range won the International Truck of the Year award in 2016

The new range comes in gross vehicle masses ranging from 14 t to 18 t for the local market

14 T TO 18 T

Payload capacities have been increased by optimising the wheelbases

Elvis Mutseura, product marketing manager at Iveco South Africa.

“Increased payload is one of the most effective ways of improving freight efficiency. It allows trucks to carry more freight and reduce the number of trips, and ultimately the cost of running the truck through less fuel consumption and maintenance costs.”

which has made the greatest contribution to road transport efficiency based on several main criteria, including technical innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental footprint and total cost of ownership. Optimised wheelbases One of the main reasons the Eurocargo has made its name on the international scene has been because of the wide

number of variants. The new range is no exception, with gross vehicle masses (GVM) ranging from 10 t to 18 t, with a choice of 15 wheelbases. However in South Africa the range is available from 14 t to 18 t. The wheelbases range from 3 960 mm to 6 570 mm, catering for various body lengths and types. “We have optimised the wheelbases for the local market, which is a major improvement compared

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