New Coach & Bus editor Peter Barnwell was a guest at the recent launch of Iveco’s new Daily minibus range and reports that the Italian commercial vehicle maker might just have a winner on its hands.
Iveco has kept its powder dry in the minibus segment until their Euro 6 models started rolling off the line.
There’s nothing like being prepared as eventually, the stringent Euro 6 emissions regulations will be implemented here forcing other manufacturers to comply.
And this doesn’t even take into account ever tightening safety requirements.
Iveco has hit the ground running with no less than three variants of its Daily Minibus based on the popular Daily van targeting the likes of hotels, community groups and schools.
Depending on the model, seating is provided for 11-20 passengers in two wheelbases and two roof heights with one engine and a ZF eight speed auto as standard.
Like the Daily van, the Minibus has a front mounted engine which can provide an additional margin of safety in the event of a collision.
The entry Shuttle 12 model rides on a 3520mm wheelbase and has an 1820mm roof height. GVM is 4.5 tonnes so the bus can be driven on a car licence.
The Shuttle 16 rides on a 4100mm wheelbase and provides seating for 16 occupants including the driver.
It features the same roof height as the Shuttle 12 and has a GVM of 6.1 tonnes.
At the premium end of the scale is the Executive 16 with the same wheelbase as the Shuttle 16 and a 6.5 tonne GVM. It is the only model with a 2010mm roof height to facilitate access and allow most passengers to stand fully erect.
All three Daily Minibuses run Iveco’s F1C, 3.0-litre, four cylinder turbodiesel engine delivering 125kW (170hp) and up to 400Nm delivered from as low as 1350rpm.
Iveco is looking at bringing in a slightly more powerful engine later this year.
Coach and Bus will have a complete review of the new model in the upcoming edition.
