Iveco has revealed its new model S-Way heavy duty range has been undergoing a comprehensive local testing and validation program over the past year, ahead of its proposed launch here in the fourth quarter.
It’s fair to say that Iveco has been struggling in Australia in recent times with mediocre sales and the announcement that it would close down local production. The new S-Way will be a reset of sorts for the Dandenong based company.
The new S-Way comes from its European operations with some impressive credentials with clean looks , an array of advanced technology, including high levels of connectivity and according to Iveco ‘a strong focus on sustainability and low total cost of ownership’. The truck also was awarded a number of international industry awards including an ‘iF DESIGN.
According to Iveco the local validation program has seen the trucks running in single, B-double combinations, rigid setup, covering several hundred thousand kilometres fully loaded in real-world operating conditions, including in summer temperatures.
Iveco says it is closely evaluating collective load measurement and undertaking a full cooling system evaluation and localisation program, to it says, ‘ensure the models are ready to perform in the demanding Australian conditions’.
The company says it is conducting a series of suspension and braking tests while also evaluating many of the vehicles’ new technology features including GPS predictive drive capabilities, with the testing program also incorporating several exercises to evaluate fit and finish including door seal and noise reduction performance, while also evaluating a number of Iveco genuine accessories, according to Iveco.
Iveco Australia’s senior engineer, David Dunlop, said that S-Way was an important release for the company, and that the engineering team had been progressing to schedule with the trials and preparations for certification.
“Testing undertaken to date has seen the S-Way evaluation vehicles perform extremely well,” Dunlop said.
“We’re focused on ensuring the new models arrive tailored specifically to meet our demanding Australian operating conditions and applications for long distances, high speed, loads and temperatures, making them a valuable addition to any fleet,” he added.
“Having now spent a number of months in and around the new S-Way, I know that future customers will be extremely pleased with these next generation of heavy-duty trucks from Iveco,” Dunlop said.
